This ensures there are no delays in receiving your payment. Voiding a check may seem as simple as just writing “void” across the front. However, there are a few details you’ll need to keep in mind.
- Most financial institutions allow you to place a stop payment for personal checks.
- To start, take a blank check and print “VOID” in large letters across the center with a blue or black pen.
- If none of these solutions work for your particular situation, you may need to order checks from your bank.
- If you’re tired of dealing with paper checks and keeping records, Wise can help you manage your money electronically.
- In most cases, you need to provide your bank account information in an online form.
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How To Void A Check And When You May Need One
Remember, time is really of the essence here, so it may be quicker to void the check over the phone—you know, with a real human being. We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions how to void a check are the author’s own. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies. Our in-house research team and on-site financial experts work together to create content that’s accurate, impartial and up to date.
How to Endorse a Check to Someone Else in 4 Steps
Making this indication ensures you can use the check for mobile deposits only. Many banks offer checks for this purpose, but you may need to pay a fee for the service. When your statements arrive for each current period, double-check your account information. While check voiding can prevent anyone from depositing or cashing the check, keeping an eye on your account is still a good idea.
Record all checks in your check register to ensure you don’t lose or misplace any of them. Lost checks can result in an unwanted debit from your account. To start, take a blank check and print “VOID” in large letters across the center with a blue or black pen.
Can you write “void” on a check to void it?
The information in this publication does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its affiliates. We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date. If you add one too many ‘0s’ to your check, you https://turbo-tax.org/ can’t just correct it and hope it works out. You also can’t discard it because if someone were to get hold of it they could withdraw money from your account. All you should see is the bank information such as your routing number, account number, and check number, and the word ‘VOID’, which you should have written on the front of the check.
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You may be asked to send a voided check if you want to set up an electronic payment method for certain bills. That will eliminate the need for you either to issue a paper check in payment, or to go online and arrange the electronic payment manually. If all else fails, you may be able to get official documentation from your bank or credit union instead of voiding a check. Ask for a letter, printed on bank letterhead, which lists your account number, routing number, and account type (checking or savings). Alternatively, some banks provide form letters for setting up direct deposit—print it while you’re logged in to the online banking system, and it should have everything you need. Employers often use voided checks to set up direct deposits for their payroll, and service providers may need them to set up direct debits.
How Long Does It Take for a Check to Clear?
Your last option is to gather all your bank account information in one place so that you can fill out a form for your employer to set up a direct deposit. All you need to do if you want to establish a direct deposit is take an existing check and write the word ‘VOID’ across the front of it in large capital letters. A few banks and credit unions don’t charge customers to cancel a check, but others have fees as high as $30 or more that would be debited from your account. Bankrate follows a strict
editorial policy, so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers.
Banks recommend various ways to contact them, but generally you can make a request online, at a branch or by calling the phone number on the back of your debit card. In general, you can stop payment on a check — known as a stop payment order — only if your bank hasn’t paid it. Log in to your bank account and look through your transaction history to see if the check has posted. If the check was stolen and the payment has cleared, it’s important to act fast to report the fraud to your bank.
Some checks might explicitly state a different period, such as three months or a year. If a thief gets their hands on the check, they won’t have a blank check, which they could use to spend your money—effectively stealing from your account. In the event of an error or lost check, let the recipient know about the request to stop payment and arrange a way to send a new check.
Typically, you’ll need to void a check when you need to provide new account verification for setting up a direct deposit or direct withdrawal. You can provide written informaition about your account, but many companies require the voided check for verification. 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.