We think it’s important for you to understand how we make money. The offers for financial products you see on our platform come from companies who pay us. The money we make helps us give you access to free credit scores and reports and helps us create our other great tools and educational materials. You must first contact your bank and see if that particular check has already been cashed. If it hasn’t, they should be able to put a stop payment on that check. You will need to know who it was for, how much it was for, and the check number.
How to Void a Check in 3 Steps
We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. Most tellers won’t cash a check that has been voided but there have been cases of voided checks that have been cashed. When sending a voided check, it’s best not to sign the check and to send only a photocopy or photo of the check. In some cases, the entity requesting a voided check might accept a letter printed on bank letterhead.
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And anyone who has ever written out a physical check knows that it’s possible to make a mistake like putting in the wrong amount. When you’re faced with either of these situations, you’re going to want to void the check in question. 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. Banks and credit unions are well instructed in methods of protecting personally identifying information and they will know the best way to send the letter safely to the intended party.
How to Void a Check — And Protect Your Bank Account
Voiding a check is as simple as writing “VOID” in large letters across the front of the check, but there are a few other things to keep in mind. Bankrate follows a stricteditorial policy, three types of cash flow activities so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions.
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Voiding a check is a common practice used to nullify incorrect checks and set up direct deposits or bill payments. The process is fairly straightforward, but it’s important that you do it carefully to avoid someone using your check fraudulently. Much like with a direct deposit paycheck, you can set up direct deposit and have your benefit payments sent to your bank account electronically. Current offers convenient perks like no hidden fees, mobile check deposit, and overdraft protection for eligible users. You can also set up direct deposit easily through the Current app and receive your paycheck up to two earlier than you might with a traditional checking account. Though we live in an age where most of our banking can be done digitally, there are some instances when you’ll be asked to provide your bank information using a blank check.
By writing “VOID” on the check, you’ll prevent anyone from filling out the check and cashing it. Read on to learn exactly how to void a check, why you might need to void a check and what to do if you don’t have any physical checks. Another solution is to visit a branch and ask for a “counter check.” The teller might be able to print a check with your account information on it. If so, try voiding that check as if it came out of your checkbook. 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.
Often, a direct deposit authorization form is the first part of the process when getting set up with direct deposit through an employer or for other types of payments. If you need to provide your bank account information but don’t have any checks, you may have some other options. For federal benefits, there’s no extra charge for direct deposits. You can even choose to have your tax refund sent by direct deposit. If you need to prevent a check you’ve written from being cashed, you can request your bank to stop payment on the check.
- Voided checks are also frequently requested when setting up recurring financial transactions because they contain all of your banking information.
- The only way to stop the check from being cashed or deposited is to request a stop payment from your bank, which may involve a fee.
- Rather than an entire checkbook, this will be a single check that you can void.
- Note that some banks may charge a fee to issue a stop payment on a check.
- Employers often use voided checks to set up direct deposits for their payroll, and service providers may need them to set up direct debits.
- A voided check appears like a regular check, but it’s normally marked with the word „VOID“ in bold, typically across the front.
Unless it’s one of the usual reasons, you should never provide a voided check to anyone. Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions.Here is a list of our banking partners. Yes, companies that request a copy of a voided check need to verify your bank’s routing number and your account number. However, to avoid delays, it’s best to verify whether a preprinted deposit slip is acceptable in place of a voided check.
This is a fancy name for checks printed on demand for specific purposes at your bank or credit union. Banks typically charge a fee for these checks, which can be anywhere from a few dollars to as much as $25. But, if you normally have no need for paper personal checks, this can be a way to provide a voided one. A voided check is simply a paper check with the word “VOID” written across it, often in big letters, indicating without a doubt that it shouldn’t be used for making a payment. Other types of automatic payments may also require a voided check.
The instructions you receive will outline the information they’ll need on the letter. Expect to provide your routing number, account number, and your name. Counter checks are the same as the starter checks many banks provide when you open an account.
But since we generally make money when you find an offer you like and get, we try to show you offers we think are a good match for you. That’s why we provide features like your Approval Odds and savings estimates. If a thief gets their hands on the check, they won’t have a blank check, which they https://www.online-accounting.net/reorder-points-reorder-point-formula-how-your/ could use to spend your money—effectively stealing from your account. The information in this document was developed with reasonable care and attention. However, it is possible that some of the information is incomplete, incorrect, or inapplicable to particular circumstances or conditions.
Instead of using forms, which require you to void a traditional check, try logging into your account (or ask if there’s an online system). In most cases, you need to provide your bank account information in an online form. Get your paycheck directly deposited into your bank account to save yourself some time and hassle. If you’ve never set up direct deposit before, it can be intimidating. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service.
You’ll be writing on the check face to void it, and because you want your notations to be permanent, it’s important to choose the right writing tool. A fine-tipped marker or pen is a good choice, preferably in blue or black ink. Voiding a check may seem as simple as just writing “void” across https://www.online-accounting.net/ the front. Business firms and other organizations aren’t the only entities that may involve recurring personal payments. You may have a payment arrangement set up with another person, such as a family member, a friend, or even a landlord/tenant to make recurring payments electronically.
If you’re going to provide the voided check electronically, don’t just send it out in the open, in a standard email message. Take steps to hide your account information from thieves and hackers. For example, consider encrypting the image or uploading it to a secure file vault. No two accounts at the same bank will have the same account number. The city and state of the bank is not the address of the branch you go to.
