The only way to give yourself peace of mind is to void the check and then throw it out or shred it. You also can’t discard it because if someone were to get hold of it they could withdraw money from your account. To do that, you’ll have to write the word ‘VOID’ in capital letters going across the front of the check. It means that the check can no longer be used after it has been cashed or deposited. A canceled check is one that the bank has already cleared.

What Is a Voided Check and How Do You Use One?

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Important tips to consider when voiding a check

The money also becomes immediately available as soon as it has been deposited directly into your account which is another huge bonus. 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. 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. You might also ask the business or organization requesting a voided check if they would accept a deposit slip that has been voided as well. You can ask your bank to draw you up a “counter check”, a special type of check that can be officially voided by the bank but still includes your important account information. If you don’t have a spare blank check and still need to figure out how to get a voided check, there are a couple of options as well.

• 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.
• They also use the information to verify that your account matches where the funds are being sent to ensure they’re going to you.
• Make the letters large enough to cover most of the check but still allow the banking information at the bottom to be readable.
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• Instead, you will need to get in touch with the bank and request a stop payment order on the check.

How to Void a Check: Step-by-Step

This time-sensitive process works best if you have all the relevant information handy, so gather the check number, amount, and recipient information before making contact. A cross-cut shredder offers the most secure method for destroying the check. Using a permanent marker helps ensure the void marking can’t be removed or altered by someone attempting to commit fraud. These numbers, known profit and loss statement as your check’s MICR line (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition), must remain clear and readable. Choose an unused check and ensure you have a permanent marker that won’t fade or wash away over time. Our websites may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened.

But believe it or not, knowing how to void a check safely and correctly is still an incredibly useful financial skill. Voiding a check might sound like an old-fashioned task, especially in today’s world of mobile banking and tap-to-pay. Let’s learn about the foolproof way to void a check, plus smart alternatives if you don’t even own a chequebook.

• Voiding a check might sound like an old-fashioned task, especially in today’s world of mobile banking and tap-to-pay.
• A voided check is essentially a canceled check that can’t be cashed or deposited, but it still contains all your important banking information that employers and service providers need.
• You may have several of these pre-printed slips in the back of your checkbook.
• You can get a voided check by asking a teller to print one for you.
• Using your pen, write ‘VOID’ right across the front of the check in large and clear bold print.
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One of the biggest mistakes when voiding a check is writing “VOID” too small or with too light a touch. Send the voided check to whoever asks for it (like your employer or financial institution), but first, make a copy for yourself. Most banks prefer you call them directly for this kind of situation, though some allow you to place a stop payment through online banking. If you don’t need to provide the voided check to anyone, you only have to focus on disposing of the check properly. While optional, keeping a record of voided checks may come in handy later. Write “VOID” large enough to cover most of the checks while keeping the banking numbers at the bottom visible for processing purposes.

If you have your account’s deposit slip, you may use this instead of the voided check. These forms usually require you to provide your bank account, as well as the routing number. Some employers and organizations have their own forms for setting up direct deposits or automatic payments. Maybe you’re just starting at a new job and setting up direct deposit, or facing a banking error. To make sure that your account remains safe and protected, we don’t advise you to sign your voided check.

Can I get a voided check from my bank?

But if you aren’t active online for your finances or feel uncomfortable with that, then a voided check will work too. Many times, it’s as simple as entering the information in your online portal for any financial institution or billing account. Ready to close a bank account and open a new bank with better options? This is the info the recipient needs to be able to send payment directly to your account. If you’re going to send the voided check electronically it may be a little risky to send it through a normal email sender. Whether scanning it on your computer or keeping a picture of the voided check on file.

If you’re going to receive payments from an employer electronically, you can send them a voided check, so they have all of your bank information. The most common use for a voided check is to establish a direct deposit¹. A voided check can be useful for providing the necessary information for certain electronic payments, such as direct debits. They may ask for a voided check because all your account information can be found on there including your account number, account type and bank routing number. A deposit slip acts similarly to a voided check — it’s simply a piece of paper with your account details on it.

If you don’t have a paper check, you can always go to your nearest bank branch and request a voided check. 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. You can also use a voided check to set up automatic electronic payments, including ongoing expenses such as rent and bills. Voided checks can serve an important role in direct deposits and other ongoing transactions.

To send the check to the recipient you can send it by mail, hand it in person or take a photo and send it by email. You’ll want to write it in letters that are large enough for anyone to read, and you’ll want to write in a large, thick pen, if possible. Of course it takes a whopping two seconds to do, but as a young impressionable teen at the time, being clueless about most financial things was quite common. It has the word “VOID” written across it and therefore is not a blank check either. Acquiring business funding can be difficult if you don’t have perfect credit, tons of collateral, or established connections.

Is a direct deposit form the same as a void check?

While direct deposits and automatic payments are the most common reasons for voiding checks, there are several other situations where you might need this skill. 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. Much like with a direct deposit paycheck, you can set up direct deposit and have your benefit payments sent to your bank account electronically. A voided check can be used to protect checks that have errors, cancel a check, set up automatic bill payments, or receive direct deposit.

Even if nearly all your banking occurs electronically, chances are you will have to void a check at some point in time. The bank uses the account numbers printed on each check to transfer the funds from your account to the person depositing or cashing it. The information provided is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but we recommend consulting with your bank for specific check-writing requirements. Many online banking platforms display your account and routing numbers in your account details section. A void check is a check that has been marked with the word “VOID” across its face, making it impossible to use for payment. Yes, writing “VOID” on a check is a standard and valid method for voiding it.

However, don’t let it cover the bottom where routing and account details are normally found. A voided check is basically an ordinary check that an individual marks as invalid. If you have a photocopy of a deposit slip or a cleared check for your account, you may also be able to use this for processing your request. Nevertheless, if you don’t want to void a check or you don’t have a checkbook, there are typically other options available. Moreover, if for any reason you’re required to sign the void check via email, make sure you send it as an encrypted PDF so that hackers can’t get access to it. The bank teller should be able to print a check for you, which will have your account information on it.

They also contain relevant information such as the routing number, but you will have to insert your bank account number. Once you have a voided check, make sure to write it down and keep track of where it went in case you get confused later on. Certain financial transactions may require you to use a voided check, and it is essential to understand what that entails. When sending a voided check, it’s best not to sign the check and to send only a photocopy or photo of the check.

It doesn’t matter if someone else picks that check up and tries to write over it. 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). This is the information that today’s electronic banking services need to set up an electronic transfer between two different entities.

A direct deposit is a way that government institutions, employers, and other agencies pay their workers electronically, using your bank account details. A void check example would be a blank check with “VOID” written in large letters across the front, showing your bank routing and account numbers. This is intentional, since voided checks are a secure way to share your banking details. When you void a check, it cannot be deposited or cashed by anyone, but your bank routing number, account number, and personal information still remain visible. Employers, utility companies, or government agencies often request a voided check when setting up direct deposits or automatic withdrawals.

Voiding vs Canceling a Check

Once you’ve voided a check, try to ensure it’s either disposed of or kept safely with other sensitive files. If you don’t have access to a paper shredder, you can rip up the check into several pieces. Voiding a check is a straightforward way of correcting mistakes on paper checks. To properly void a check, make sure you use a pen, not a pencil. Use large letters that fill up the entire check, or write “VOID” in smaller letters on the date, payee, amount, and signature lines. The process is fairly straightforward, but it’s important that you do it carefully to avoid someone using your check fraudulently.