In addition, a voided check takes away the hassle of sending in payments or setting up an online payment each month because it automatically comes out on the specified date. Once a check has been voided, https://www.bookstime.com/ 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.

To start, take a blank check and print “VOID” in large letters across the center with a blue or black pen. There are a few things you can do if you need to submit a voided check but don’t have any. If you already sent a check that needs to be canceled, it’s obviously a little too late to write VOID across it. There’s still a way to void a check after sending it—but you’ll have to act fast.

What Is A Voided Check? Everything You Need to Know

A voided check can be useful for providing the necessary information for certain electronic payments, such as direct debits. A voided check is a check which is no longer valid and has the word ‘void’ written on the front. If you deposit voided check a voided check in an ATM, it may be briefly accepted. But once the error is identified, the cleared funds will then be removed from the recipient’s bank account and returned to the original owner and a fee may be charged.

It’s typically written in large letters so there’s no chance of it accidentally being used. The information provided on this site has been developed by Policygenius for general informational and educational purposes. We do our best to ensure that this information is up-to-date and accurate. Any insurance policy premium quotes or ranges displayed are non-binding. The final insurance policy premium for any policy is determined by the underwriting insurance company following application. Anyone can void a check and you can do it whether the check is blank or whether you’ve already filled it out.

How to Scan and Email Voided Checks Safely

It might be photographed or turned into an electronic image, but those copies generally are safe. Vendors are unlikely to steal from your account, and the image might be safely stored or deleted after it gets used, but if fraud occurs, the risk is significant. When thieves access your account, you could potentially lose money, and the domino effect can make your life difficult. For example, you might end up bouncing other checks or missing payments because there’s not enough money for necessary payments. But if you aren’t active online for your finances or feel uncomfortable with that, then a voided check will work too. Some places may require a voided check to receive your account information and even get set up an electronic transfer of your money too.

Consumers often provide their own routing and account numbers online without any problem, so voided checks are required less frequently. For example, online banks allow you to link external accounts by typing in those details yourself. Billers, such as utility companies, also accept payments by e-check when customers input their checking account information. Some businesses even take payments over the phone, allowing customers to provide the information orally. A voided check is one where you have written the word “VOID” across the front of it one or more times to indicate that it shouldn’t be accepted for payment.

Reasons for Using a Voided Check

Otherwise a voided check or copy of a check will generally be the ideal method. Instead of voiding a check and submitting it through a form, you can now set up your direct deposit or automatic payment through their online system. However, it’s also likely you don’t have a checkbook anymore, even if you have multiple bank accounts. 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.

• It may or may not have other information filled in throughout the check.
• If you make a mistake while writing out a check, such as entering the wrong amount or payee, you can void the check and then write another one with the correct information.
• Some banks and credit unions will automatically send you a book of checks when you first open an account with them.
• We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers.
• Make sure it includes your account number, account type and routing number — if the recipient just wants your accounts details, that should be enough.

Identity thieves can use this information to pull funds from your checking account. Even if you void the check, the numbers are still visible, and that image may exist—meaning it can be copied or stolen—for many years. Don’t cover up the routing or bank account number at the bottom of the check when voiding it. Those numbers are necessary for identifying your bank account to send or receive payments. A voided check has the word “VOID” written across it, indicating that it cannot be used for payment.