how to properly void a check

If the other person is making the payments, he or she will need a voided check from you for the same purpose. A voided check appears like a regular check, but it’s normally marked with the word “VOID” in bold, typically across the front. This is meant to make the check unusable for financial transactions while still displaying account details. You must first contact your bank and see if that particular check has already been cashed.

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how to properly void a check

If you’ve made an error on a check and the payee’s received it, you can no longer void the check. To ensure a check isn’t cashed by the recipient, everything you need to know about the income statement call your financial institution and put a stop payment on the check. Making this indication ensures you can use the check for mobile deposits only.

Reasons for Using a Voided Check

Don’t cover up the routing or bank account number at the bottom of the check when voiding it. Those numbers are necessary for identifying your bank account to send or receive payments. They should be given only to individuals who are both trusted and necessary in your life.

  1. If you’ve started a new job, your employer will likely pay you through a bank account.
  2. The process is fairly straightforward, but it’s important that you do it carefully to avoid someone using your check fraudulently.
  3. The check won’t be usable to the other party if the words are so big that they cover the account details like routing and account numbers.
  4. Many employers ask for a voided check to ensure no errors in recording your bank account information.
  5. Use either with a dark pen or fine marker so it will show clearly on the one hand, but still leave the important information intact on the check.

Reasons for voiding a check

You can request one up until the time the person you wrote the check to presents it. You typically can’t stop payment once they submit the check for cash or deposit it. Knowing how to void a check is useful whether you need to set up auto-pay for a loan or want https://www.online-accounting.net/after-tax-cost-of-debt-and-how-to-calculate-it/ to start receiving your paycheck via direct deposit. Voided checks allow you to protect your funds from unauthorized use while also providing your pertinent financial information. Note that some banks may charge a fee to issue a stop payment on a check.

For example, consider encrypting the image or uploading it to a secure file vault. Once you’ve written your void check, photocopy it to keep on hand. This way, if you need to provide any other voided checks, you can use the copy instead of wasting another check from your checkbook. To make automatic payments, https://www.online-accounting.net/ you need your institution, branch number, and bank routing number. A voided check helps companies that make deductions for automatic payments avoid problems caused by user errors. If you need to provide a voided check but don’t have any physical checks, you can get a “counter check” at your local bank branch.

Voiding a check may seem as simple as just writing “void” across the front. The notation of “void” is used because checks are prenumbered for control purposes and every check needs to be accounted for. You’ll need to provide the check number and the total amount written. If you don’t have all the information, you likely won’t be able to stop the payment from going through.

Voiding a check properly by writing “VOID” in large letters on the documents will help reduce the risk that the check will be cashed. 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. Many small or less formal organizations may allow you to provide the information from your checking account directly to them in lieu of sending documentation. They don’t need a voided check; it’s just a matter of convenience if you send one. If you can provide your bank name, routing number, and your personal account number over the phone, it’s often good enough. Avoid sending this information in an email due to the security risks.

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. 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. A woman sits at her dining room table with laptop and financial reports doing her monthly budget.

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