How To Void a Blank Check

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If that check number is posted to your account, contact your bank right away. Finally, if you use duplicate checks, make sure your VOID marks are seen on the duplicate, too. Get your paycheck directly deposited into your bank account to save yourself what is a voided check some time and hassle. If you’ve never set up direct deposit before, it can be intimidating. No, although it’s common for both a direct deposit form and a voided check to be required and while both have similar information, they are not the same.

Choose the right writing tool

Once you have the check, use ink or a permanent marker to write VOID on the check. Be careful not to write over the numbers at the bottom of the check. To err is human and if you make a mistake when writing a check, voiding the check is often the best way to fix the error. Be aware, however, that voiding a check happens before the check has changed hands or is presented for payment at a bank. For federal benefits, there’s no extra charge for direct deposits. You can even choose to have your tax refund sent by direct deposit. A voided cheque is a paper cheque that has “VOID” written across the front, rendering it invalid as a form of payment.

• The text should be clearly seen, but it doesn’t cover up any other writing beneath it.
• Because checks have important bank information on them, it’s important to make sure they’re voided correctly when you don’t want them being used.
• Simply use a blank check and write ‘VOID’ in large letters across the front.
• In many cases, your employer can establish direct deposit simply with you providing your routing and account numbers, as well as how your name appears on the account.

The seller doesn’t immediately go to a bank to retrieve the cash. On January 3rd, the seller goes to the bank to retrieve his cash, but the customer has made another purchase elsewhere for $5.00, thus his new balance is only $15.00. The bank must return the check, the seller goes without any payment and the customer gets charged a fee.

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If you have a checking account that doesn’t offer checks, you can try these options for setting up direct deposit or electronic payments. Voiding a check makes it unable to be processed or honored by a bank. It provides you with added protection if you need to give someone a check for the purposes of setting up direct deposit or to make a direct payment from your account. It gives the company asking for the check what they need and prevents them or anyone who might get their hands on the check from adding information, such as a payee or dollar amount. On a voided cheque, you’ll find three key sets of numbers that a company or employer will need to set up direct deposit or pre-authorized payments. Knowing how to void a blank check is useful whether you need to set up auto-pay on a loan or want to start receiving your paycheck via direct deposit.

• There is no fee to view checks through Wells Fargo Business Online for Wells Fargo customers.
• With the word void, it is almost impossible to misuse this check.
• Also be sure not to write over the banking information at the bottom when you write “VOID” on the cheque.
• The process is fairly straightforward, but it’s important that you do it carefully to avoid someone using your check fraudulently.
• The information on this website is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on, for tax advice.
• Typically, banks charge a fee of up to $35 for a stop payment request.

Ask your bank for a counter check, which is a check printed on demand by a branch. A checking account is a highly liquid transaction account held at a financial institution that allows deposits and withdrawals.

Legit Ways to Make Extra Cash

There are several reasons why you might need to void a check. You may want to make sure no one else uses it, or, you may need to present a voided check for someone to access and confirm your banking information.

• Since this information is on every check, there’s no need to void a second check if you need to show a voided check to more than one company.
• Instead, turn it into an encrypted or password-protected file or create a link to a file in a protected folder.
• It’s typically written in large letters, so it cannot be mistaken for cash use.
• There’s no need to sign a voided check and it may be safer if you don’t.
• This publication is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to cover every aspect of the topics with which it deals.

However, some still require a voided check for direct deposits. Your paper checks all have your bank information on them—the name of your bank or credit union and your account and routing number. By giving a voided check, you give the person establishing the link to the bank account information they need to set up your direct deposit. But because the check is void, they won’t be able to use the check to take money from your account. Employers may ask for a voided check to help them set up direct deposit and you may need to void a check for other purposes, so it’s handy to know how. However, there are some alternatives to voided checks — like counter checks, a letter from your bank, or bank deposit slips — if you don’t have a paper check readily available.

Can I still order a paper copy of a check through the mail?

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance degree from Bridgewater State University and has worked on print content for business owners, national brands, and major publications. Rebecca Lake is a journalist with 10+ years of experience reporting on personal finance. Review all of the information you have entered, and make any changes if desired. When all is correct, select the “Pay” button to submit your payment. If you need a reminder of how to find your routing number, see the information at the top of the page, or click the “i” icon for help.