For extra security, consider using a paper shredder, since using one makes it difficult to piece the check back together to reveal sensitive information. If you don’t have access to a paper shredder, you can rip up the check into several pieces, being sure that the sensitive information is not intact when you dispose of it. Before giving an employer a voided check, it can make sense to first make a copy of the check, so that you know how the check was used. Most companies don’t even need an original; a copy of a voided check is good enough. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by these entities. Once you’ve voided a check and shared it with your employer or another business, make sure that you set up a budget to keep track of your income and expenses.

Those numbers are necessary for identifying your bank account to send or receive payments. You may need to void a check when you make an electronic financial transaction. A voided check includes banking information required to ensure correct electronic banking transactions for people who pay bills online and or are paid via direct deposit. The easy way to do this is to write “void” in big letters so that it covers most of the check.

Steps to voiding a check

The check can still be used to get the information needed for electronic payments. A voided check has the word “VOID” written across it, indicating that it cannot be used for payment. Voiding a check ensures it won't be used by anyone, such as thieves who may write in a large amount for themselves. Then, it can provide key information like your routing number and account number to be used in electronic transactions. Get your paycheck directly deposited into your bank account to save yourself some time and hassle.

You can also set up direct deposit easily through the Current app and receive your paycheck up to two earlier than you might with a traditional checking account. 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. From my experience in working with the American Payroll Association (APA), it is pretty common for HR to ask for a voided check.

Please visit the Deposit Sweep Program Disclosure Statement for important legal disclosures. Shannon also noted that many at Nacha are using the Split Deposit feature of Direct Deposit, with a flat amount or a percentage of their pay earmarked for savings, while rest goes to a primary deposit account. If you need to void a check for any reason but don’t have one, there are workarounds you can try. Please visit the Social Security website layer for guidance on how to set up or change direct deposit. Please tell us where you bank so we can give you accurate rate and fee information for your location. It’s okay if it covers up the different text boxes on the check.

How a Voided Check Works

It's possible to establish direct deposit without voiding a physical check. It's important to note, however, that your employer or other parties may not always accept all of these alternatives. Similarly, you may be asked to submit a voided check for automated clearing house (ACH) transfers, such as bill and loan payments. This is especially the case when setting up automatic recurring payments. By clicking 'Continue', you will leave our website and enter a site specific to making your loan payment via a debit card or electronic check.

• Some banks also offer the ability to print a voided check directly from their website.
• Fortunately, voiding a check is a simple and straightforward task.
• Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A.
• Voided checks can serve an important role in direct deposits and other ongoing transactions.

You should consult your own financial, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction. You can often get a voided check online by logging into your bank’s website or mobile app and selecting an option to request a voided check. Some banks also offer the ability to print a voided check directly from their website. Yes, if your bank has a physical branch, you can speak with a teller and request a voided check. The bank can void the check by stamping or writing “VOID” on it. If you don’t have a spare blank check and still need to figure out how to get a voided check, there are a couple of options as well.

Voiding a Check You Still Have in Your Possession

You may get a bonus when you open an account and set up direct deposit. You’ll be writing on the check face to void it, and because you want your notations to be permanent, it’s important to choose the right writing tool. A fine-tipped marker or pen is a good choice, preferably in blue or black ink. In the same vein, if the check you’ve made a mistake on is voided and someone comes across it, they can’t use it to fraudulently withdraw money from your account. By writing “VOID” on the check, you’ll prevent anyone from filling out the check and cashing it. 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.

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Brex Inc. provides the Brex Mastercard® Corporate Credit Card, issued by Emigrant Bank, Member FDIC or Fifth Third Bank, NA., Member FDIC. Use of Brex’s user data access application programming interfaces is subject to the Brex Access Agreement.

Learn more about reporting disbursements in FECFile

But you can contact your bank to have a stop payment placed on it. In order to do this, you’ll need to have some info handy for your bank, like the check number, payee, and amount. That way, even if it’s deposited or cashed, the money won’t be deducted from your account. You can also use a voided check to set up automatic electronic payments, including ongoing expenses such as rent and bills.

Using a voided check reduces the likelihood of a transcription or other type of error. Your paper checks all have your bank information on them—the name of your bank or credit union and your account and routing number. By giving a voided check, you give the person establishing the link to the bank account information they need to set up your direct deposit. But because the check is void, they won’t be able to use the check to take money from your account.

This is the information that today’s electronic banking services need to set up an electronic transfer between two different entities. The name of your banking institution is going to be printed prominently at the top left-hand corner of your check. At the very left-hand bottom of the front of your check is going to be your routing number, your account number, and the official check series number (in that order). The process of figuring out how to void the check by writing VOID clearly across it guarantees that anyone the check might be handed to cannot simply fill in the blanks and draw money from your account.

Once you have your own personal checkbook, you can write VOID on any of the checks to get a void check. To get a voided check you'll need to talk to your bank and get them to send you a checkbook. Before you can learn how to void a check you need to understand what this is.

As was the case with direct deposit, the lender will want to use the bank account information listed on the bottom line of the check. Consumers often provide their own routing and account numbers online without any problem, so voided checks are required less frequently. For example, online banks allow you to link external accounts by typing in those details yourself. Billers, such as utility companies, also accept payments by e-check when customers input their checking account information. Some businesses even take payments over the phone, allowing customers to provide the information orally. 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. The reason why employers ask for a Voided check is that your checking account information is stated across the bottom of the check; this information is then used to set up direct deposit payments to you. First, it’s important to know that you should never give someone a blank check, especially someone you don’t know. This is because anyone can fill it out and withdraw money from your bank account.

Discover a range of valuable financial topics in our Learning Center. Make a note in your check register so that you'll know where the check went.

A debit card is a payment card connected to a checking account, and you can use it to make both online and in-person purchases, where cards are accepted. 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. You can write it once in large letters, or you can write it in small letters on the date line, amount line, amount box, payee line, and signature line. However, you can download an account verification letter from your Brex dashboard that should be a sufficient alternative. In a variety of situations, providing a voided check enables you to share your checking account information without allowing anyone to use the check.

Learn everything you need to know about how to void a check, including why you should never give someone a blank check. With step-by-step instructions and tips for avoiding common mistakes, you can confidently manage your finances and keep your money safe. Instead, you'd give it to a business or person so they can get your bank account info ( your account and routing numbers). You can still use that check to grab or provide your bank routing and account number as those numbers are tied to your bank account and not individual checks, however.

We recommend you review the privacy statements of those third party websites, as Chime is not responsible for those third parties' privacy or security practices. It doesn’t matter if someone else picks that check up and tries to write over it. So, be thorough and write it large and wide across the majority of the check. Any bank teller (even those working the first hour of their first shift) will understand that the check itself is anything but legitimate and you will have nothing to worry about.