How to Write a Check to Yourself for Mobile Deposit
Master writing a check to yourself for mobile deposit, ensuring accurate and secure transfers between your accounts.
Writing a check to yourself and depositing it via mobile banking offers a convenient way to manage your funds, whether transferring money between your own accounts or moving funds from a business account to a personal one. This process eliminates the need to visit a physical bank branch or ATM, providing flexibility and saving time. Mobile deposit capabilities, widely available through most banking applications, simplify cumbersome financial tasks.
Writing the Check to Yourself
Accurately fill out the check, ensuring all details are clear and legible. Start by writing the current date in the designated space, typically located in the top right corner of the check.
On the “Pay to the Order of” line, write your full legal name exactly as it appears on your bank account. Avoid writing “Cash,” as a check made out to “Cash” can be deposited or cashed by anyone, posing a security risk. Then, enter the numerical amount of the check in the small box to the right of the payee line, ensuring it is clearly written.
Below the “Pay to the Order of” line, spell out the exact check amount in words. For example, for one hundred dollars and thirty cents, write “One hundred and 30/100.” Always write cents as a fraction over 100 to maintain accuracy and prevent alteration. The memo line is optional but useful for record-keeping; consider a note like “Transfer to Savings.” Finally, sign the check in the bottom right corner with your signature, matching the one your bank has on file, to avoid processing delays.
Preparing the Check for Mobile Deposit
After writing the check, proper preparation of the physical check is necessary for a successful mobile deposit. The most important step involves endorsing the back of the check. Locate the endorsement area, usually on the left side.
Sign your name in the endorsement area, and directly below your signature, write “For Mobile Deposit Only.” Some banks may also require you to include your account number or the bank’s name as part of the restrictive endorsement. This endorsement helps prevent the check from being deposited again, protecting against potential fraud.
Ensure the check is flat, unfolded, and free from any tears or creases that might obscure information. Before taking the photo, clear the area around the check to remove any other objects or text that could confuse the mobile banking application. For the best image quality, place the check on a solid, dark background in a well-lit room, and avoid casting shadows. Turning off your phone’s flash can also prevent glare and ensure all four corners of the check are visible and legible.
Completing the Mobile Deposit
With the check properly written and endorsed, the next step involves using your mobile banking application to complete the deposit. Begin by logging into your bank’s official mobile app using your credentials, which may include multi-factor authentication. Once logged in, navigate to the “Deposit” or “Mobile Deposit” feature, typically found on the main menu or within a dedicated section.
The app will prompt you to select the account where you wish to deposit the funds, which is especially important if you have multiple accounts. You will then be guided to capture images of both the front and back of the endorsed check using your device’s camera. Position your phone directly over the check, ensuring all four corners are within the frame and the image is clear and focused.
After capturing the images, the application will usually require you to manually enter or confirm the check amount. Double-check that the entered amount matches the numerical and written amounts on the check to avoid discrepancies. Before final submission, review all the details, including the selected account, the entered amount, and the clarity of the check images. Upon confirmation, submit the deposit and look for a confirmation message within the app, email, or text message indicating that your deposit is processing. Keep the physical check in a secure place for 5 to 14 days until funds are cleared, then shred it for security.