Can I Mobile Deposit an Emailed Check?
Understand why mobile depositing emailed checks isn't possible and learn how to safely manage digital payment instructions to avoid fraud.
Mobile check deposits offer a convenient way to deposit funds using a smartphone. This method has gained widespread acceptance due to its ease of use. Many wonder if an emailed check, a digital image of a physical check, can also be processed this way. This highlights a common misunderstanding about mobile deposit requirements.
Understanding Mobile Deposit Requirements
Mobile deposit systems process physical checks, relying on specific features embedded within paper documents. Banks require clear images of both the front and back of the original check, ensuring all information and endorsements are legible. Technology scans and verifies details like routing and account numbers, and amounts. This process relies on the consistent format and physical security features of a paper check.
For a successful mobile deposit, the check must include an original signature from the payer and a proper endorsement from the payee. Many banks also require specific endorsements, such as “For mobile deposit only” or “For deposit only” with the account holder’s signature. These requirements ensure authenticity and prevent fraud.
The Nature of Emailed Checks
An “emailed check” refers to a digital image (PDF or JPEG) of what appears to be a check. This digital image is not a negotiable instrument. A check is a written, dated, and signed order instructing a bank to pay money. Digital images lack the physical security features found on genuine paper checks, which deter counterfeiting and aid verification.
An emailed image of a check also lacks an original signature, a fundamental requirement for a legally valid check. Emailed checks are often associated with scam attempts, where fraudsters use them to deceive recipients. These scams involve requests for personal information or demands to send money back after an “overpayment.”
Handling Emailed Payment Instructions and Avoiding Scams
Attempting to mobile deposit an emailed check is not possible and is discouraged by financial institutions. Banks’ systems are not equipped to process digital images as valid checks because they lack physical security features and original signatures. If you receive an emailed payment instruction with a check image, verify its legitimacy directly with the sender using independently obtained contact information.
Common red flags for check scams include receiving a check for an amount greater than expected, with a request to send back the difference via wire transfer or gift card. Another warning sign is an urgent demand to deposit the check quickly and immediately forward funds to a third party. If a payment is legitimate but sent as an image, request a proper payment method like direct deposit, electronic funds transfer (EFT), or a mailed physical check. Printing an emailed check and attempting to deposit it carries significant risks, as banks may place extended holds on funds or close accounts due to suspected fraud.