What is a Void Check? How to Void a Check?

When reconciling bank statements, voided checks must be accounted for. Instead, a void cheque is a physical check with the word “void” written across the face. That said, a void cheque is often requested when registering a new direct deposit as it ensures that the account information is copied verbatim. Although it might sound complicated, voiding a check is actually quite easy.

Make sure you use a black or blue pen with permanent ink, and if you have a duplicate check, do the same for that copy. Voided checks can serve an important role in direct deposits and other ongoing transactions. 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. 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. If both of these options fail you might want to ask the bank to record your pertinent account information and then notarize the letter, making sure it’s printed on their official letterhead.

It is normal for businesses and individuals to make mistakes while writing checks. However, leaving these checks unattended could be a serious mistake. Anyone can get their hands on these incomplete checks and fill out the rest of the details themselves to withdraw funds. Your name, address, and phone number won’t be listed at the top of the check. If this won’t suffice, you may have to order a batch of checks overnight from your bank or a third-party and opt for overnight shipping.

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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. After all, an email can be forwarded, exposing your check information to unintended parties. There are several common situations when someone will ask for a voided check, which the next section discusses.

Not all companies will take a counter check, so make sure you find out if it’s acceptable. You may also be able to use a deposit slip with your bank account information on it. Once a check has been voided, it’s no longer usable as a form of tender. No matter who the check was written out to or how much it might be written for, the check can no longer be presented to a bank or credit union for payment. Voided checks are official checks from banking institutions, but they have the word “VOID” written clearly across the front. Individuals and businesses write this word in large letters to avoid accidental use.

This website is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. If you don’t have a paper check, you what does a voided check mean can always go to your nearest bank branch and request a voided check. Setting up direct deposit for your paychecks (or for one-off payments, if you are a freelancer for example) is incredibly simple with the help of a check that has been voided out.

What Is a Voided Check? Guide to Getting a Void Check

It means that the check can no longer be used after it has been cashed or deposited. 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. However, you don’t want to take any kind of chances when it comes to your banking information.

• Write with well-spaced letters that are tall and wide enough to cover the whole face of the check without obscuring the banking information at the bottom.
• So it’s important to understand what purpose they serve and how to void a check if there’s a need to do so.
• The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us.
• Certain financial transactions will require you to use a void check and you should be aware of what that entails.

Then, use a pen with black ink and make the word large enough to be read. You can also use a voided check to set up automatic payments to come out of your checking account automatically. The person who receives a voided check cannot fill in the amount and other details and present it to a bank. It also prevents a thief from taking the check, filling out an amount, and forging your signature to debit funds from your bank account. If you don’t know how to make a void check or you don’t have them, you can opt for using deposit slips for certain financial actions.

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The point is a potential thief can gain instant access to what is probably your primary financial account. This will open the possibility of accessing your money or even stealing your identity for other purposes. Business firms and other organizations aren’t the only entities that may involve recurring personal payments.

If you already sent a check to someone, then it is not possible to void it. The recipient will be able to cash the check unless you immediately contact your bank and have them issue a stop payment on that check. Doing so will block the bank from honoring the check when the payee presents it. 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. You can use a voided check to schedule regular payments from your checking account. This is necessary if you intend to pay your car loan, mortgage and other bills online.

• It’s important that the letters cover the whole front part of the check but without covering the bank details on it.
• It is best to permanently deface or destroy a voided check, so that no one can present it to a bank at a later date and expect to be paid for it.
• If you’re tired of dealing with paper checks and keeping records, Wise can help you manage your money electronically.
• A voided check is an official check from your banking institution that has had the word “VOID” written clearly (and in large print) all the way across the front of the check.
• Let’s say you intended to write a $50 check, but mistakenly added an extra zero, making it $500.

Banking

Whatever you do, never sign a voided check or write any additional information in the blank spaces provided. The purpose of a voided check is to provide your bank name, routing number, and personal account number. A voided check will have all of your bank information printed on it, so it can provide others everything they need to set up a direct deposit payment from your account. 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.

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. A voided check is simply a check that has the word VOID handwritten or printed on it. When a check has the word VOID printed across it, it’s rendered unfit for any transactions. This is the reason banks will request a void check rather than a blank one, i.e., to make sure it can’t be used. You can ask your financial institution to send a letter providing all the same information to the party requesting your voided check.

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. Write “VOID” across the front of the check with a blue or black permanent marker. Use large letters that fill up the entire check, or write “VOID” in smaller letters on the date, payee, amount, and signature lines. 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). Make sure to note its official check number in your ledger as you do.

You can even directly link your Wise account to your US bank, brokerage, credit card provider, PayPal, and many other services — and automate your payments through direct debits, which are free. You can still use that check to grab or provide your bank routing and account number as those numbers are tied to your bank account and not individual checks, however. As a business owner, you’ll need a voided check during the funding process so that your lender knows where to deposit your funds. Nor do you have to worry about logging onto online bill payment services after you set up automatic electronic transfers, either.

Cover up a Mistake

We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. 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. In most cases, this includes the bank, bank address, account number, routing number, and the account holder’s name and address tied to the account. One of the most routine instances of voiding a check is for setting up direct deposit with your employer. The company may ask for a voided check to enter your checking account information (routing number and account number) in its system to set up direct deposit for your paycheck.

But, if you normally have no need for paper personal checks, this can be a way to provide a voided one. Grab a check out of your checkbook, and write “void” across the front. Write with well-spaced letters that are tall and wide enough to cover the whole face of the check without obscuring the banking information at the bottom. You want to make it difficult for thieves to erase or cover your void mark. For example, if your company’s payroll department needs a check from you to set up direct deposit, you can provide a voided check.