Many times, this won’t have your personal information written on top, but it will include your banking information. As paper void a check meaning checks become less common in banking, organizations that normally require a voided check may be more receptive to another method. Try those first and you avoid the risk of your sensitive financial information falling into the wrong hands. Employers usually ask for a voided check as a simple way to collect your banking information for direct deposit. With the routing and account numbers from your voided check, your employer can arrange to have your paycheck deposited directly into your account on payday, saving you time and hassle.
What If You Don’t Have Any Checks?
- If you add one too many ‘0s’ to your check, you can’t just correct it and hope it works out.
- You can ask your bank for a blank check, which is known as a counter check.
- Write “VOID” across it, and it will serve the same purpose as a voided check.
- 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.
- Once you’ve voided a check, it’s essentially disabled and cannot be used any longer.
Voiding a check may seem as simple as just writing “void” across the front. In the same vein, if the check you’ve made a mistake on is voided and someone comes across it, they can’t use it to fraudulently withdraw money from your account. Most companies don’t even need an original; a copy of a voided check is good enough. It’s typically written in large letters so there’s no chance of it accidentally being used. Discover what FDIC insurance is, its limits, and the types of accounts it covers.
How to Void a Check Without a Checkbook
Next, list the check in your check register so that you don’t forget where it went. You may have to get creative, wait for checks, or find an alternative way to link your bank account. This is a seldom-discussed aspect of voided checks, but it’s critically important for protection from identity theft. This will ensure it reaches the intended place without passing through third-party hands. If in person is not possible, a fax delivery is preferred to email.
The most purpose in pretty much every case is to provide critical banking information to an individual or an organization so they can establish a direct link to that account. For instance, maybe you wanted to write a check out to a newly married couple and wrote the check out to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. This can actually be a bit of a problem for them when they go to deposit the check if the bank account they want to use for that check is only in Mrs. Johnson’s name.
Setting Up Direct Deposit Online
Once you have a void check, make sure to write it down and keep track of where it went in case you get confused later on. A voided check is simply a paper check with the word “VOID” written across it, often in big letters, indicating without a doubt that it shouldn’t be used for making a payment. 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. You can also use a voided check to set up automatic payments to come out of your checking account automatically. 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 write it in large letters that cover most of the check, or you can write “VOID” in smaller letters on the date line, payee line, amount line, and signature line. Avoid writing over the account and routing numbers at the bottom of the check if you need the check to verify your bank information. The money also becomes immediately available as soon as it has been deposited directly into your account which is another huge bonus.
- In order to send the correct information to the bank to stop payment, you will need to extract the requisite information from either a copy of the check or the check register.
- If you’re the one making the payments, you may need a voided check from the other party to connect the accounts.
- If you don’t have a voided check to supply to a third party, you do have other options to get one.
- Rather than figuring out the process as it comes up, learn everything you need to know about voiding a check now so that you’re fully prepared in the future.
- Deposit slips contain your account information, and you can write “VOID” across the slip.
That’s why it’s good to know how they work, even if you don’t frequently pay by check, so you remain protected when you use them. From high-yield savings accounts to cashback checking and sign-up bonuses, we bring you the best banking offers to grow your money smarter. Paper checks are a traditional form of banking and many of the best checking accounts still used them. But we live in a modern world with new approaches ways to handle money.
If you’re unable to provide a voided check, or if your bank doesn’t offer paper checks, there are alternative methods to set up a direct deposit or an electronic payment. Many banks offer online banking services where you can access your account information. You can print a check or a form that includes your account and routing numbers. Write “VOID” across it, and it will serve the same purpose as a voided check. There are different alternatives to a voided check that you can explore if you do not have checks and you want to set up automatic payments and direct deposits.
What is a Voided Check for Direct Deposit?
Having this information ready will save you time and help the bank process your request more efficiently. Once you’ve voided a check, it’s essentially disabled and cannot be used any longer. They also use the information to verify that your account matches where the funds are being sent to ensure they’re going to you. Never again do you have to worry about finding your checkbook several times a month and firing off payment through the mail (hoping it gets there on time). However, you don’t want to take any kind of chances when it comes to your banking information. Make sure to note its official check number in your ledger as you do.
Storing Voided Checks Securely
As we start to move away from cash or checks, e-money transfers are… 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. The fee can vary, so it’s a good idea to check with your bank beforehand. This fee is usually worth it if you need to prevent a check from being cashed for any reason.
Wise is a safe and easy way to send, receive and manage your money without any old-fashioned banks involved. For example, if you are in business and your suppliers prefer to be paid electronically, then a voided check may be part of setting up automatic payments. The word ‘VOID’ is written in capital letters, so it is not mistaken for cash use. When you void a check, you prevent the check from being used by anyone to withdraw money. Keeping accurate records of voided checks can save you from future headaches and help maintain clear financial records.
This reduces the chance of errors when setting up your direct deposit. If you don’t have a voided check to supply to a third party, you do have other options to get one. You can ask your bank for a blank check, which is known as a counter check.
Learn if your money is safe in banks, credit unions, and with CDs. We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date. This is the information that today’s electronic banking services need to set up an electronic transfer between two different entities. This can be because you are looking to make an ACH or Wire payment to someone’s account or to receive an ACH or wire into your bank account. Generally, if “VOID” is written across a check, no matter how or where, it will be recognized as a voided check.
Learn more about how we review products and read our advertiser disclosure for how we make money. Using digital alternatives not only saves time but also reduces the risk of your check being lost or stolen. Embracing these methods can make managing your finances much simpler and more secure. It’s important to know these alternatives so you can still manage your finances effectively, even without a checkbook. It’s important to use a permanent pen to ensure the void mark cannot be erased or altered. Acquiring business funding can be difficult if you don’t have perfect credit, tons of collateral, or established connections.
Always make sure the word “void” is clearly visible and covers most of the check to avoid any confusion or misuse. Nor do you have to worry about logging onto online bill payment services after you set up automatic electronic transfers, either. The name of your banking institution is going to be printed prominently at the top left-hand corner of your check. At the very left-hand bottom of the front of your check is going to be your routing number, your account number, and the official check series number (in that order). Every check (official check, anyway) includes a couple of key pieces of data that can be used by individuals and organizations to send or request money directly from your account.
Remember, a voided check and a direct deposit form are different things. A voided check is simply a check from your checkbook you’ve written “void” over, and a direct deposit form is a document provided by your bank with your account details. Employers often ask for a voided check to set up direct deposit. This is because a voided check has all the necessary information, like your account number and routing number. Using a voided check helps ensure that your account details are correct and match the records you provided.
Lauren is a personal finance writer with over a decade of experience helping readers make informed money decisions. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Japanese from Georgetown University. Voided checks may not be as popular as they once were, but it’s still important to know how to void a check, what they look like, and what their purpose is.