How to Void a Check for Direct Deposit or Payments
Learn the essential steps to void a check properly. Ensure financial security and facilitate setup for various services with this guide.
A voided check is a paper check intentionally marked to prevent its use for payment or withdrawal. This renders the check invalid for financial transactions while ensuring the banking information remains visible. Voiding a check is a straightforward procedure that protects your account details and prevents unauthorized use, serving as a secure method to share necessary bank information.
Reasons to Void a Check
Voiding a check is necessary in various financial situations. A frequent reason is to establish direct deposit for payroll, government benefits, or other recurring income, as employers and agencies often require a voided check to verify account and routing numbers. Setting up automated bill payments also requires a voided check to ensure accurate electronic transfers.
Voiding a check is also a practical measure when an error occurs during the check-writing process, such as an incorrect amount, payee, or date. Voiding it ensures the mistaken check cannot be accidentally or fraudulently used. If a blank check is lost or stolen, voiding it immediately helps prevent potential fraud by making it unusable for unauthorized transactions.
Steps to Void a Check
Begin by obtaining a blank check from the account you intend to link or render unusable, selecting one that has not been previously filled out or signed. Using a black or blue ink pen, write “VOID” in large, prominent capital letters across the entire front of the check.
Ensure the “VOID” marking covers key areas, including the payee line, amount boxes, date line, and signature line, to prevent any attempt to fill in or alter these fields. While covering these areas, do not obscure the routing and account numbers at the bottom of the check, as these numbers are often needed for informational purposes. Do not sign the check, as a signature could imply authorization. Once marked, avoid tearing or severely damaging the check, especially if it needs to be submitted to an institution, as an intact voided check is typically required.
After Voiding a Check
After voiding a check, record its number and the date it was voided in your check register or personal finance software. This helps maintain an accurate record of your check sequence, preventing confusion when reconciling your bank statements, and allows you to track that specific check number.
If the check was voided for direct deposit or automatic payments, submit it to the requesting entity, such as your employer or bank, according to their instructions. Some institutions may accept a copy, while others may require the original. For checks voided due to an error or for security purposes, secure retention or proper disposal is essential. You may retain the voided check for your records or securely dispose of it. Shredding the check, especially through a cross-cut shredder, is recommended to destroy sensitive account and routing numbers, preventing potential identity theft or fraudulent use. Finally, consistently check your bank statements to verify the voided check has not been improperly processed.