Westpac is asking people to scrutinise bank cheques after fakes surfaced this month.
Three fake bank cheques totalling less than $2000 have been presented in Auckland.
A bank spokesman said the fake cheque is crossed "Not Transferable, Account Payee Only" while a genuine one is simply marked "Not Negotiable".
The counterfeit cheque also
has a Queen Street, Auckland, address on the top right corner where real cheques have no address.
The fakes are marked WestpacTrust rather than Westpac, although some genuine cheques also have the old bank name stamped on them.
Real cheques have a number - 0800 400 600 - on the back which the bank suggests people ring if they are still unsure about authenticity.
Westpac has told bank staff about the fakes and if they are presented customers will be told to go directly to the police.
