How to Cancel a Check Online, by Phone, or at a Bank Branch

Though we live in an age where most of our banking can be done digitally, there are some instances when you’ll be asked to provide your bank information using a blank check. And anyone who has ever written out a physical check knows that it’s possible to make a mistake like putting in the wrong amount. When you’re faced with either of these situations, you’re going to want to void the check in question. Setting up direct deposit using a voided check is a simple process. Electronic transactions are a convenient way to get paid by writing “VOID” on a blank check and submitting it to your employer.

1. Those numbers are necessary for identifying your bank account to send or receive payments.
2. See if you can set up your bank account link entirely online.
3. Insurance products are made available through Chase Insurance Agency, Inc. (CIA), a licensed insurance agency, doing business as Chase Insurance Agency Services, Inc. in Florida.
4. However, you may run into difficulty in the future if you somehow misplace the check and someone tries to use it.

You’ll need to provide the check number and the total amount written. If you don’t have all the information, you likely won’t be able to stop the payment from going through. Whether you’re using Quickbooks online or with a program, it’s generally best to void a check rather than delete it.

We fact-check every single statistic, quote and fact using trusted primary resources to make sure the information we provide is correct. You can learn more about GOBankingRates’ processes and standards in our editorial policy. You must first contact your bank and see if that particular check has already been cashed. If it hasn’t, they should be able to put a stop payment on that check. You will need to know who it was for, how much it was for, and the check number. If you aren’t sure of any of this information or get it wrong, the check could still be cashed, and the only way to avoid financial loss would be to freeze the account.

As we start to move away from cash or checks, e-money transfers are… You can request stop payments for a series of checks and pre-authorized ACH debit transactions, such as recurring bill payments. Federal law requires you to make a request orally or in how to void a check writing to your bank at least three business days before the transfer date. If you call, your bank may require written confirmation of the request within 14 days. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service.

Brokerage Services

While you don’t strictly need a voided check to set up a direct deposit², many employers will ask for one. If you prefer the convenience that online banking provides, then check out Wise. Wise is a safe and easy way to send, receive and manage your money without any old-fashioned banks involved.

Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information. A voided check has the word “VOID” written across it, indicating that it cannot be used for payment.

Send the Check or Image

If you need to prevent a check you’ve written from being cashed, you can request your bank to stop payment on the check. Once a check has been cashed, you can’t reverse or void the transaction. Many of the offers appearing on this site are from advertisers from which this website receives compensation for being listed here. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). These offers do not represent all available deposit, investment, loan or credit products.

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Using a blue or black pen, write “VOID” in large letters across the entire front of the check, making sure not to cover the routing or account numbers. Those numbers are what the person receiving the voided check will use to identify your checking account. A voided check is simply a paper check with the word “VOID” written across it, often in https://turbo-tax.org/ big letters, indicating without a doubt that it shouldn’t be used for making a payment. Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU — the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers.

A stop payment order is not your only line of defense if a check is stolen. If a fraudulent check goes through, you might be able to get charges removed by reporting the incident to your bank in a timely manner. Assuming the check hasn’t already been presented to the bank, the stop payment request should take effect once the bank authorizes it. At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict
editorial integrity,
this post may contain references to products from our partners.

Alternatives to voided checks

Morgan Private Wealth Advisors LLC (JPMPWA), a registered investment adviser. Trust and Fiduciary services including custody are offered through JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Insurance products are made available through Chase Insurance Agency, Inc. (CIA), a licensed insurance agency, doing business as Chase Insurance Agency Services, Inc. in Florida.

Bank Smartly®️ Checking account and Standard Savings account online and complete qualifying activities. Offer may not be available if you live outside of the U.S. By clicking Continue, you will be entering a third-party website. First Republic is not responsible for the content, links, privacy policy or security policy of this website. We’ll guide you through steps you can take to cancel a check so the check won’t go through.

You may have several of these pre-printed slips in the back of your checkbook. You may have to get creative, wait for checks, or find an alternative way to link your bank account. Make a copy of the voided check to send to your employer or whoever else needs the voided check. You can keep the original for yourself as a reminder that the check with this number was not used for a specific payment. Though many financial transactions are now paperless and most of us keep track of our finances using websites and apps, there are still many common reasons to use a physical check.