If you write the wrong dollar amount, then you’d have to void the check to keep anyone from cashing it or depositing it. Never give anyone a blank check, especially someone you do not know because it could be used to make a withdrawal on your account. Most checks are good for six months, but banks might still cash checks that are past this expiration date. Some checks might explicitly state a different period, such as three months or a year. 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.
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- Direct deposit is an electronic payment made straight from one account to another.
- If you make the lettering too fine, or you use a highlighter, a potential thief may be able to either erase or cover your writing, simply copy the check and make the highlighting disappear.
- With all these precautions, any of your attempts to erase the word “void” will undoubtedly result in disappointment.
- Direct deposit will be the preferred way for those institutions to make payments and for you to receive them quickly.
- When you write “void” in a check, it automatically disables it, so it can no longer be used in payment transactions.
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Meanwhile, every business has a set policy regarding slated checks past the voided period of 90 days. If you failed to cash the check before the designated date, you could still get the money. “Void” is typically printed in large letters, so there is no chance of it being used inadvertently. It should be tall and wide enough to cover the entire surface of the check without obscuring your banking information. You may need to void a check if you wrote a check and made a mistake.
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Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers. In the past, voided checks were only sent via mail or fax. If the distance between the sender and the recipient is not that great, personally delivering the check ensures that it will be received without complications.
Reasons for Using a Voided Check
Then, it can provide key information like your routing number and account number to be used in electronic transactions. A voided check is a paper check with the word “void” written in large, bold letters across its face. Should someone get the voided check, the person wouldn’t be able to cash or deposit it. As paper checks become less common in banking, organizations that normally require a voided check may be more receptive to another method.
We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information. 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.
There’s still a way to void a check after sending it—but you’ll have to act fast. Now let’s talk about how to void a check, including when you’ll need to and what to do if you don’t have a physical checkbook. The word “Void” should stand out from the pre-printed information on the check, so it’s clear to anyone that the check’s invalid. If you make the lettering too fine, or you use a highlighter, a potential thief may be able to either erase or cover your writing, simply copy the check and make the highlighting disappear. 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.
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If you aren’t sure of any of this information or get it wrong, the check could still be cashed, and the only way to avoid financial loss would be to freeze the account. A creative solution is to have a check printer to generate an image of a voided check for you. This method won’t work if you need to mail the check, but it can help you get an electronic image of a check containing your account information. Start the process of ordering checks, and when it’s time to “preview” your order, you’ll have a customized check image that you can void. If you’re the one making the payments, you may need a voided check from the other party to connect the accounts.
The article was reviewed, fact-checked and edited by our editorial staff. Traditional faxing, where you go to a local printing or shipping office for the transaction, is better than the online services offered nowadays. You can either https://www.online-accounting.net/budget-vs-target/ turn the photo into an encrypted file that can only be unlocked using a password you set or create a link to the file in a protected folder. If you opt to do this, you should consider additional security to avoid problems.