A voided check is a valid paper bank check that you render unusable and uncashable. Because it includes your name, bank account and routing numbers, a voided check could put your finances at risk if it falls into the wrong hands. Before discarding the voided check, shred it so any sensitive information is unreadable. If you don’t have a paper check, you can always go to your nearest bank branch and request a voided check. If you don’t have any checks, and you want to set up a direct deposit or automatic electronic payment, there are other ways to do so.
When you void a check, it can’t be used as a check, meaning it can’t be deposited. Usually, a check is a document you sign to allow the recipient to withdraw the amount you specified from your bank’s checking account. Voiding the check makes the recipient unable to do this anymore. We live in a very digital world when it comes to finances, but that doesn’t mean we may never run into things like checks again. Checks are still a great secure payment option that you might still need to use from time to time, even to make some electronic payments possible. Note that some banks may charge a fee to issue a stop payment on a check.
- Voided checks may also be necessary when setting up automatic bill payments, such as bill-pay for utilities or even automatic payments on a home or student loan.
- In 2018, checks were used to pay for 5% of all U.S. consumer transactions and 10% of consumer bills—a minority in the payments world, but still present.
- For instance, maybe you wanted to write a check out to a newly married couple and wrote the check out to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson.
- The Experian Smart Money™ Debit Card is issued by Community Federal Savings Bank (CFSB), pursuant to a license from Mastercard International.
- If you prefer the convenience that online banking provides, then check out Wise.
In lieu of a voided check, you may also be able to provide documents such as a direct deposit slip that can provide the key financial information for the transition. You can ask your financial institution to send a letter providing all the same information to the party requesting your voided check. One of the advantages is your bank or credit union may send the letter directly to the party requesting the voided check, avoiding the need to send it by email.
You need to set up automatic payments
Today, many banks use technology to convert paper checks into electronic payments to process transactions faster. If you use a color other than blue or black, the machines that scan checks may miss the “VOID” label and process the check anyway. It’s wise to be cautious with your bank account information, so knowing the proper way to void a blank check could help you set up direct deposit safely and correctly. Let’s look at what you need to know about how to void a blank check. You can also use a voided check to set up automatic electronic payments, including ongoing expenses such as rent and bills. A voided check will have all of your bank information printed on it, so it can provide others everything they need to set up a direct deposit payment from your account.
- You do not have to expose much about your essential details with these.
- In your check register, write “VOID,” along with the check number, date, and a note about why you voided the check (such as who you gave it to).
- If a thief gets hold of a voided check, he cannot make it out to himself, enter any amount, and sign it.
- But because the check is void, they won’t be able to use the check to take money from your account.
- Moreover, if for any reason you’re required to sign the void check via email, make sure you send it as an encrypted PDF so that hackers can’t get access to it.
Find any lingering questions about how to void a check below. Of course it takes a whopping two seconds to do, but as a young impressionable teen at the time, being clueless about most financial things was quite common. You should never put it as an attachment file when you send an image of the check via text or email. Even after some time, a copy of the check may still exist elsewhere, ready to be copied and stolen by hooligans in the future. Whenever you give bank information to others, there is always a danger of falling into the wrong hands.
A voided check is a paper check with the word “void” written in large, bold letters across its face. Should someone get the voided check, the person wouldn’t be able to cash or deposit it. Last, you can avoid checks entirely by working with direct deposits and cash when appropriate. With the rise of online banks, your checking account may not come with a supply of paper checks. If you don’t have access to paper checks that you can void and provide to your employer or a merchant who needs one, there are other ways to set up ACH transactions. You probably know how to write a check and deposit one, but do you know how to void a check?
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By asking you for a check, your employer reduces the potential for errors. If you have to fill out a form, it’s possible you’ll make a mistake. If the employer has to read your handwriting, perhaps it’s not perfect and a mistake is made when entering the information.
Requirements for a Voided Check
This will ensure there are no delays in receiving your payment. You may need to know how to void a check for several reasons. Here is a closer look at why you might need to void paper checks. Make a note of the check-in your check register so that you know where that particular check went. If you don’t, you’ll have a gap in check numbers, leading you to wonder what happened.
Do I sign a voided check?
You should record all checks in your check register to ensure you don’t lose or misplace any checks. Lost checks can result in an unwanted 8 key construction accounting best practices for contractors debit from your account. Most checks are good for six months, but banks might still cash checks that are past this expiration date.
Automating payment of your mortgage, loans, credit cards, utilities and other bills helps prevent late fees and can even benefit your credit score. When you’re submitting a voided check for direct deposit or automatic payments, you don’t need to include any information on the regular lines. Grab a blank check from your checkbook, then you’re ready to move on to the next step.
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You only need to sign an agreement authorizing such transactions. A dark pen or marker is also often used to make it difficult for thieves to remove the void mark and use it as a blank check. If a thief gets hold of a voided check, he cannot make it out to himself, enter any amount, and sign it. You have to request a new one from the person paying you the check for these transactions. However, fees for canceling a check payment may still apply.
Never give anyone a blank check, especially someone you do not know because it could be used to make a withdrawal on your account. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. When you need a voided check, all you need to do is write “VOID” across the front of the check. You do not sign a voided check as it is unneeded and you do not want anyone to make copies of your signature in case it gets lost or stolen. You’ll just need your bank details at hand and then input them directly. Your bank’s routing number is usually written on their homepage of their website and you can find your account number when you sign-in.
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Discover how APY impacts your financial choices and maximizes your savings. This publication is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to cover every aspect of the topics with which it deals. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content in this publication.
To ensure your bank account is safe from fraud, always write “VOID” across the check in big letters to ensure it can never be cashed. After receiving your weekly pay, you will receive a deposit slip to confirm. Direct deposits are another element of online banking that can simplify your finances and is much quicker than check payments. If you have started a new job, your employer will likely pay you through a bank account.
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