It should be written across the entire front in large, preferably upper case letters. 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. A woman sits at her dining room table with laptop and financial reports doing her monthly budget. [+] She is smiling at the ease of use as she works on her smart phone banking app to do monthly finances, pay taxes and save money for the future. In this guide, learn how to make a voided check and other potential factors to consider. Alternatively, you may be able to request a cheque from your bank branch or get a letter from them directly providing your recipient with the appropriate information.
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If a thief were to steal a cheque that is void, they would not be able to use it to withdraw money from your bank account. A void cheque is a cheque with the word “VOID” written across it, which prevents anyone from filling out the cheque and using it to make a payment. Voiding a check may seem as simple as just writing “void” across the front.
What’s Needed To Void A Check?
Avoid sending this information in an email due to the security risks. Voiding a check can be a key step in setting up financial transitions like regular payroll what is unearned revenue a definition and examples for small businesses direct deposits. Voiding a check properly by writing “VOID” in large letters on the documents will help reduce the risk that the check will be cashed.
Counter Checks
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. 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 https://www.kelleysbookkeeping.com/guides-to-financial-statements/ 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 long can a check be cashed if its not voided?
Usually, you’ll be able to print a cheque directly to form a PDF which allows you to email it directly to the recipient without ever having to touch a physical cheque. At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to stricteditorial integrity,this post may contain references to products from our partners. The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us.
- In today’s rapidly digitizing world, it’s easy to dismiss the relevance of a physical cheque.
- Despite being an invalid form of payment, a voided check, which shows your bank’s routing, account and check numbers, can play an important role in setting up various financial transactions.
- You may also be able to set up deposit or withdrawal instructions using a deposit slip instead of a voided check.
- Voiding ensures that you’re not giving a blank cheque that could be misused.
But this compensation does not influence the information we publish, or the reviews that you see on this site. We do not include the universe of companies or financial offers that may be available to you. Another solution is to visit a branch and ask for a “counter check.” https://www.kelleysbookkeeping.com/ The teller might be able to print a check with your account information on it. 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.
Employers often use voided checks to set up direct deposits for their payroll, and service providers may need them to set up direct debits. This is because a blank check has all the information they need, such as routing or account numbers. Using a voided check reduces the likelihood of a transcription or other type of error.
Then, you can tear a cheque from the book, void it, and give it to whoever needs it. Finally, if you don’t have any cheques to hand, you can request them from your bank. Your bank will most likely charge you a fee to purchase cheques and you’ll have to wait for them to come in the mail, so this may not be a good choice if you need your void cheque quickly. You may also request a letter from your bank with your vital account information, or you can get a preprinted deposit slip or counter cheque from your bank and use that instead. The “void” writing tells the receiver (and anyone else who handles the cheque) that the cheque has no cash value.