A voided cheque is a cheque that has been cancelled so that it cannot be cashed in. It is typically used to help set up direct deposits or automatic bill payments, as your name, address, and bank information can be found on a voided cheque. Many employers ask their employees to submit a voided check in order to set up payroll direct deposit. To do so, an employee simply writes “Void” in large font across a check and gives it to the human resources department. If you want to be extra careful, you might write “Void” across the payee line, as well as on the signature line and in the payment box.
As we start to move away from cash or checks, e-money transfers are… If you don’t have a check to give, ask whether you can provide a counter check, a copy of a deposit slip, or a letter from your bank. You also might be able to provide your routing and account numbers directly. Below are a few of the most common questions we receive from people looking into what a voided check is. If you have further questions you would like to ask our team, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
- She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Japanese from Georgetown University.
- Other examples include profits from annuities, mutual funds, deposit certificates, and income from any investments.
- The Smart Investor (this website) is an independent financial website.
- The recipient will be able to cash the check unless you immediately contact your bank and have them issue a stop payment on that check.
- She writes about personal finance topics, such as investing, insurance, credit cards, and real estate.
- Doing so also minimizes the chances of numbers being transposed or other issues arising when it’s time for the payment to be processed.
What Is a Voided Check? Guide to Getting a Void Check
Many companies allow you to fill out a direct deposit authorization form. Do you prefer to set up autopay so you won’t have to worry about going in and scheduling payments to come out of your account each month on the due date or a date that you’d prefer? But for automatic payments to start, they may request that you send over a voided check so they can have your official routing and account number on file.
You can get a void check for your checking account by writing “void” across the face of any check in your checkbook. Alternatively, your bank may provide you with a downloadable void check, which you can access from your online bank account. Lastly, if you do not have a checkbook or a downloadable void check option, you can visit your branch in person and request that they provide you with a void check. If you happen to need a blank voided check solely for information purposes but don’t have one at your disposal, don’t panic. Ask the requester if they’ll accept a deposit slip or letter from the bank containing your account information in its place. If not, your bank may be willing to issue you what’s referred to as a counter check.
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If you’ve made an error or no longer wish to use a check that you’ve started writing, simply write “VOID” across it as described above. However, remember to record this action in your check register to keep your financial records accurate. Not all companies will take a counter check, so make sure you find out if it’s acceptable. You may also be able to use a deposit slip with your bank account information on it. Also, ensure it’s written across the entire check, but don’t write over the information at the bottom of the check since it includes important banking information. There may be several instances when someone could ask you to void a check.
If you don’t have a voided check, there are several alternatives you can use to provide your banking information for purposes such as setting up direct deposits or automatic payments. One common alternative is a bank deposit slip, which also contains your routing number and account number. Despite being an invalid form of payment, a voided check, which shows your bank’s routing, account and check numbers, can play an important role in setting up various financial transactions.
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You can use a voided check to schedule regular payments from your checking account. This is necessary if you intend to pay your car loan, mortgage and other bills online. A voided check easily and conveniently gives access to your banking information. You do not need to sign the check or enter any other information for it to serve the intended purpose.
How To Get a Void Cheque
You may also request a letter from your bank with your vital account information, or you can get a preprinted deposit slip or counter cheque from your bank and use that instead. Instead, the receiver is most interested in a void cheque for the transit number, financial institution number, and account number. A voided check facilitates direct transfers, giving recipients faster access to their funds.
What is a void cheque?
- You may also request a letter from your bank with your vital account information, or you can get a preprinted deposit slip or counter cheque from your bank and use that instead.
- If you’re going to receive payments from an employer electronically, you can send them a voided check, so they have all of your bank information.
- To check, log into your online banking portal and go to your chequing account.
- The word does not have to cover the entire face of the check, but it should be big enough so no one else can use it.
- As we start to move away from cash or checks, e-money transfers are…
Additionally, many banks can provide a pre-printed voided cheque meaning letter or document that verifies your account details. Some institutions may accept a printed online banking statement that includes your account and routing numbers. Lastly, digital forms or authorization through your bank’s online system to provide the necessary information electronically are increasingly accepted. This information is most often used to set up an electronic link to your bank account.
We’re able to offer this content free of charge because some of the companies featured on our site compensate us. Your name, address, and phone number won’t be listed at the top of the check. If this won’t suffice, you may have to order a batch of checks overnight from your bank or a third-party and opt for overnight shipping. But what if you write a check from your checking account and later discover that you’ve made an error? Maybe you misspelled the recipient’s name, entered the wrong amount, or used the incorrect date?
What is a Voided Check for Direct Deposit?
To check, log into your online banking portal and go to your chequing account. If there is an option to print a void cheque, you’ll find it in your account details. Alternatively, you can check whether your bank will allow you to print a void cheque directly from your online banking portal. If this is an option, you won’t need to keep physical cheques on you.
These scenarios would call for you to void the check and rewrite another one using the correct information. Keep reading to learn more about how voided checks work, when it makes sense to void a check, and how to void a check if the need arises. Usually, you’ll be able to print a cheque directly to form a PDF which allows you to email it directly to the recipient without ever having to touch a physical cheque. You can also avoid a cheque if you make a mistake while writing one to someone. By writing “void” across the front, you can safely destroy the cheque without worrying about anyone using it to make money from your bank account.
While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. You may be asked to provide a void cheque when setting up a payroll deposit or automatic payments. Since your account information is printed on each cheque, the void check can be used to set up an electronic link to your bank account.
These are the three main reasons you may need to provide a voided check, although there can be other scenarios where this would be required. Finally, you may provide the branch, transit, and account numbers directly to the recipient. For all of these options, cheques with the recipient first to ensure that they will accept these alternatives. Alternatively, you may be able to request a cheque from your bank branch or get a letter from them directly providing your recipient with the appropriate information. Jordann Kaye is a content marketing manager and spokesperson at Zolo Canada and freelance financial writer based in Halifax with more than 10 years’ experience.
If you have a physical cheque book, simply write “void” across the front of any blank cheque. It’s a good practice to keep a record of voided checks for at least one year to ensure you have a clear financial trail for tax purposes or to resolve any disputes that may arise. Some financial advisors suggest keeping all bank records, including voided checks, for up to seven years, consistent with the period for which the IRS recommends retaining tax documents. The person who receives a voided check cannot fill in the amount and other details and present it to a bank. It also prevents a thief from taking the check, filling out an amount, and forging your signature to debit funds from your bank account.
You’ll then be able to grab a pen and void the check in the exact manner we’ve described above. By writing “void” on a personal cheque, you eliminate the ability for any recipient to cash it. Since there is no cash value and you haven’t signed or dated it anywhere, it will not expire. You won’t need a void cheque very often, but it’s very inconvenient not knowing how to make one when you do.
