How to Void a Check: A Step-by-Step Guide
Voiding a check is a straightforward process that renders a previously issued check unusable for payment while retaining it for record-keeping purposes. Whether you need to void a check due to errors, security concerns, or for setting up direct deposit, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to void a check properly:
Step 1: Gather Supplies
Before starting, gather the necessary supplies:
– A pen or marker (preferably non-erasable ink)
– The check you intend to void
Step 2: Prepare to Void the Check
1. Write “VOID”**: On the front of the check, in large, clear letters, write the word “VOID.” This ensures the check cannot be used for any financial transaction.
2. Use Pen or Marker**: Use a pen or marker that cannot be easily erased or altered. This helps prevent anyone from attempting to use the voided check fraudulently.
Step 3: Voiding Specifics
1. Fill Entire Space**: Cover the area where you usually write the recipient’s name, date, amount, and signature. Ensure that the word “VOID” covers the entire space where these details are typically filled out.
2. Double-Check**: Verify that the entire front of the check is marked clearly with “VOID.” This includes any areas where magnetic ink is used for bank processing.
Step 4: Retain the Voided Check
1. Securely Store**: Even though the check is voided, treat it with care. Store it securely with your other financial records.
2. Record Keeping**: Keep a record of the voided check in your personal or business records. Note the reason for voiding it, such as “error in date” or “voided for direct deposit setup.”
Step 5: Update Your Records (if applicable)
1. Notification**: If you were issuing the voided check for a specific purpose (e.g., direct deposit setup), notify the recipient or concerned party about the voiding and provide them with any alternative documentation they may need.
2. Alternative Payment**: Arrange for an alternative form of payment if necessary, depending on why the check was issued in the first place.
Step 6: Inform Your Bank (if necessary)
1. Optional**: Depending on your bank’s policies, you may or may not need to inform them about the voided check. Some banks require notification for record-keeping purposes, especially if the check was part of a payment series.
2.Follow Procedures**: Follow any additional procedures your bank may have regarding voided checks or potential issues that may arise from the voiding process.
Additional Tips:
– Prevention of Fraud**: Voiding a check promptly helps prevent potential misuse and fraud.
– Clarity**: Ensure that the word “VOID” is written clearly and prominently to avoid any confusion.
– Document Everything**: Keep a record of why the check was voided and any actions taken afterward for your financial records.
More details
To void a check, across the front in large letters in permanent black or blue ink, write “VOID.” This means it cannot be used for any payment. You need to void a check so it won’t be used by anyone, particularly by crooks writing in a large amount to themselves. Then this gives information needed, like your routing and account numbers, for electronic transactions.
You may be required to provide a voided check while setting up an electronic financial transaction. A voided check has information needed for banking, which is necessary in facilitating correct electronic banking transactions for those who pay bills online or receive payment via direct deposit.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- To void a check, write the word “VOID” in large, permanent letters on the front of the check.
- A voided check may be necessary to set up direct deposits, automated clearing house (ACH) transfers, or electronic bill payments.
- Voiding a check means it can’t be used to make a payment or withdraw money from your checking account.
- In lieu of a voided check, you may be able to use other documents to verify financial information, like a deposit slip.
How to Void a Check
How to properly void a check:
1. Use a permanent pen of either blue or black color.
2. Clearly write across the face of the check, “VOID,” or perform a small “VOID” on the date line, payee line, amount line, and signature line and then write one in the amount box.
3. If you will use this voided check to verify account information, ensure that the routing number and bank account number are not covered. Those numbers are needed in order for your bank account to be identified for either sending or receiving money.
4. Make a permanent copy for your records of the voided check, indicating the check number. Also, if using duplicate checks, be sure the word “VOID” appears on your duplicate check.
Reasons for the use of a voided check.
Setting Direct Payments: It could be that you will have to void a check for setting up electronic payments from either personal or business ends. For example, if you are a business person, your suppliers may opt for an electronic procedure of payment. Therefore, it might be part of the automatic payment setup to void the check.
Direct Deposit : Direct deposit may enable you to get paid more quickly, but your employer needs some information from you to get started, including your bank account number and bank routing number. One of the fastest methods to provide that data is to void a check.
Online Bill Payment: If you would like a bill to be paid online for your mortgage, car loan, or other bills, you will likely also be required to provide a voided check in order to schedule these payments from your checking account.
You may have to void a check if you put the wrong dollar amount on the check. If you write the wrong amount of dollars, you can void the check before somebody gets it and cashes it or deposits it at the bank.
Tip: You cannot void a check as soon as it is passed into the hands of the payee. The only way you can stop the check from being cashed or deposited is to request a stop payment with your bank. The bank might charge you for that.
What If You Can’t Get a Check?
Not all checking accounts have checks. Chase provides an option of checkless checking accounts.
If you’ve got a checking account that doesn’t have checks, the following options can help you set up direct deposit or electronic payments. Very often, a voided check is not needed, and the bank or business will provide a direct deposit-form that requests the key information.
Deposit slip: Something else that the routing number and account number should be readily available in are deposit slips, should your bank provide them to you.
Submit banking information online: If you’re looking to set up online bill payments, you may be able to do said Task by logging onto your bank account online—no voided checks or paper forms required.
Get other documentation from the bank: If you can’t use a deposit slip or starter check, your bank may be able to provide an official letter with your routing and account number that you could use in place of a voided check.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do companies really need a voided check?
Employers often need a voided check to enter payroll-related direct deposits into someone’s account, while service providers will require one to set up direct debits. Such is because a blank check has all the information they want in the example of a routing or account number. Using a voided check limits errors that may happen with any transcription.
Can I Deposit a Void Check?
A voided check can’t usually be deposited. Such a check might actually deposit at an ATM, for example, for a very short time, but after the mistake is realized, the cleared finds should be removed and returned to the original owner, most likely with a fee. Customers can file for a claim in the event that a voided check clears by mistake whenever they receive their statement.
How Do You Void a Check in Quickbooks?
bikini brief You can void a paycheck or another type of payment easily through QuickBooks, or similar accounting software package. In QuickBooks, find the payment in “Expense Transactions.” Then press the “Void” action button. The process will be similar in other accounting programs, and you can generally find specific instructions through the Help menu.
The Bottom Line
Voiding a check can be an important first step in establishing important financial transactions, such as regular direct deposits for payroll purposes. With the check properly voided, where “VOID” is written large in dark ink on the face of the check, much of the possibility of that check being cashed goes away. You may also present a document such as a direct deposit slip that will include key financial information for the transaction in lieu of a voided check.
FAQs
Q: How do you properly void a check?
Ans: To properly void a check:
1. Use a pen (not a pencil) and write “VOID” in large letters across the front of the check, covering the date, payee name, payment amount, and signature lines.[1][2][4]
2. Avoid writing on the account number, routing number, and check number at the bottom of the check.[4]
3. Do not sign the check.[4]
4. Make a photocopy of the voided check for your records.[4]
5. Record the voided check number in your checkbook or accounting software.[2]
Q: How do I void a check I already written?
Ans: To void a check you have already written:
1. Write “VOID” in large letters across the front of the check, covering the date, payee name, payment amount, and signature lines.[1][2][4]
2. Avoid writing on the account number, routing number, and check number at the bottom of the check.[4]
3. Do not sign the check.[4]
4. Make a photocopy of the voided check for your records.[4]
5. Record the voided check number in your checkbook or accounting software.[2]
Q: Can I write void on my own check?
Ans: Yes, you can write “VOID” on your own check to invalidate it. This is the proper way to void a check you have written.[1][2][4]
Q: How do I void a cheque payment?
Ans: To void a cheque payment:
1. Write “VOID” in large letters across the front of the cheque, covering the date, payee name, payment amount, and signature lines.[1][2][4]
2. Avoid writing on the account number, routing number, and cheque number at the bottom.[4]
3. Do not sign the cheque.[4]
4. Make a photocopy of the voided cheque for your records.[4]
5. Record the voided cheque number in your cheque register or accounting software.[2]
Q: How to correct a mistake on a cheque?
Ans: To correct a mistake on a cheque:
1. Do not try to erase or white out the mistake. This can make the cheque invalid.
2. Instead, write “VOID” in large letters across the front of the cheque.[1][2][4]
3. Record the voided cheque number in your cheque register or accounting software.[2]
4. Write a new cheque with the correct information.
Q: What makes a check invalid?
Ans: There are a few things that can make a check invalid:
1. Writing “VOID” across the front of the check.[1][2][4]
2. Altering the check by erasing or whiting out information.[5]
3. Attempting to deposit a voided check.[1]
4. Failing to sign the check.[4]
5. Issuing a check after the account has been closed.[5]
Q: How long does it take to void a check?
Ans: Voiding a check is a quick and simple process that typically takes just a minute or two. The key steps are:
1. Clearly writing “VOID” across the front of the check.[1][2][4]
2. Avoiding writing on the account/routing numbers at the bottom.[4]
3. Not signing the check.[4]
4. Optionally making a photocopy for your records.[4]
5. Recording the voided check number.[2]
Q: How do I void a cheque book?
Ans: To void an entire cheque book:
1. Write “VOID” in large letters across the front of each unused cheque.[1][2][4]
2. Avoid writing on the account number, routing number, and cheque numbers at the bottom.[4]
3. Do not sign the cheques.[4]
4. Make a photocopy of the voided cheque book for your records.[4]
5. Record the voided cheque book in your accounting records.[2]
Q: Can you deposit a blank check?
Ans: No, you cannot deposit a blank check. A blank check is essentially useless, as it can be filled out by anyone and used to withdraw money from your account. Depositing a blank check would be considered fraud.[1][4]
Q: How do I write a canceled check?
Ans: To write a “canceled” check:
1. Clearly write “VOID” in large letters across the front of the check.[1][2][4]
2. Avoid writing on the account number, routing number, and check number at the bottom.[4]
3. Do not sign the check.[4]
4. Make a photocopy of the voided check for your records.[4]
5. Record the voided check number in your checkbook or accounting software.[2]
Q: How long do you have to cancel a check?
Ans: There is no set time limit on how long you have to cancel or void a check. However, the sooner you void a check, the better to prevent potential misuse. Most experts recommend voiding a check as soon as possible, especially if it was lost or stolen.[1][2][4]
Q: What is an alternative to a voided check?
Ans: Some alternatives to a voided check include:
1. A direct deposit authorization form – Provides your bank account and routing numbers.[5]
2. A letter from your bank – Contains your account and routing numbers.[5]
3. A pre-printed deposit slip – May have your account number pre-printed.[5]
4. A photocopy of a check – Can be used to verify account details.[5]
Q: How to void a check already sent?
Ans: To void a check you have already sent:
1. Contact the recipient and request they return the check to you.[1][2][4]
2. Once you have the check back, write “VOID” in large letters across the front of it.[1][2][4]
3. Avoid writing on the account/routing numbers at the bottom.[4]
4. Do not sign the voided check.[4]
5. Make a photocopy for your records.[4]
6. Record the voided check number.[2]
Q: What to do if you accidentally void a check?
Ans: If you accidentally void a check:
1. Record the voided check number in your checkbook or accounting software.[2]
2. Do not try to “unvoid” the check, as that would make it invalid.
3. Write a new check with the correct information.
4. Monitor your account to ensure the voided check does not clear.
5. Contact your bank if the voided check is mistakenly processed.[1][2][4]
Q: Can you cancel a cheque?
Ans: Yes, you can cancel a cheque by voiding it. To do this:
1. Write “VOID” in large letters across the front of the cheque.[1][2][4]
2. Avoid writing on the account number, routing number, and cheque number at the bottom.[4]
3. Do not sign the voided cheque.[4]
4. Make a photocopy for your records.[4]
5. Record the voided cheque number.[2]
Q: What information is needed to void a cheque?
Ans: The key information needed to void a cheque is:
– Your name and address (pre-printed on the cheque)
– Your bank account number (pre-printed on the cheque)
– Your bank’s routing number (pre-printed on the cheque)
– The cheque number (pre-printed on the cheque)
To void the cheque, you simply need to write “VOID” in large letters across the front of the cheque, being careful not to obscure the account and routing numbers.[1][2][4]
Q: How to correct a mistake on a check?
Ans: To correct a mistake on a check:
1. Do not try to erase or white out the mistake, as this can invalidate the check.
2. Instead, write “VOID” in large letters across the front of the check.[1][2][4]
3. Record the voided check number in your checkbook or accounting software.[2]
4. Write a new check with the correct information.
Q: Why does my check say void in the background?
Ans: Checks often have the word “VOID” printed in the background as a security feature. This is done to prevent the check from being duplicated or altered. Even if you don’t manually write “VOID” on the check, the pre-printed background text helps invalidate the check if someone tries to use it fraudulently.[1][4][5]
Q: Can you use a voided check more than once?
Ans: No, you should not use a voided check more than once. The purpose of voiding a check is to permanently invalidate it so it cannot be used for any financial transactions. Using a voided check multiple times could lead to fraud or errors in your banking records.[1][2][4]
Q: Can you void a direct deposit?
Ans: No, you cannot directly void a direct deposit. However, you can cancel or stop a direct deposit by contacting your bank or the party initiating the direct deposit (such as your employer) and requesting the direct deposit be canceled. This is different from voiding a physical check.[1][2][5]
Q: What happens if a stop payment check is cashed?
Ans: If a check you have placed a stop payment on is still cashed, the bank is required to refund the money back to your account. However, the bank may charge you a stop payment fee. You should monitor your account closely and contact the bank immediately if a stopped check is mistakenly cashed.[1][2][5]