Progress never stands still. This applies to everything in the world. Including money.
Banking systems are constantly evolving. Only about 100 years ago, people only paid each other in cash. Then came the era of checks.
It is quite convenient, instead of withdrawing money from your bank account, you just write a check to the right person, and when you come to the bank the person can get the money themselves. It has also become a common way to pay salaries.
However, time goes on and today more and more people are giving up writing checks, switching to a more modern way of paying through the Internet. Or using electronic checks.
Also, most people today get their paychecks by transferring them to cards rather than by using a physical check.
However, what if you want to cancel a check you’ve already written? This is a very useful skill to learn if you want to be able to manage your finances.
Fow what do you need to void a check
There are many reasons why you may need to void your check. Some of them are:
- A voided check may be necessary to set up direct deposits, automated clearing house (ACH) transfers, or electronic bill payments
- Also, voiding a check means it cannot be used to make a payment or withdraw money from your account
Note that if you don’t have voided checks, there are other ways to set up direct deposit or electronic bill payments.
What are the reasons to void a check
There are several main reasons why people decide they need to void their checks. To make a long story short, here are the main ones:
- It may be necessary in order to set up a direct payments. If you want to schedule an electronic payment, you may need a canceled check. This can be used for both personal and business use. For example, if your vendors prefer to be paid electronically, then canceling the check will be part of the process to automate that and set up automatic payments.
- For direct deposit. This option can help you get paid faster. It requires your employer to give you certain information, including your bank account number and bank routing number. Canceling a check is the easiest way to provide this information.
- It may also make it easier to create regular bill payments. If you need to pay a loan or mortgage or any other bills online, you may need to provide a canceled check to create a scheduled payment from your account.
- Also, the most obvious reason to cancel a check is an error in filling it out. For example, if you have entered the wrong amount or the wrong payee’s name.
- It also makes sense to cancel a check if the conditions of a previous transaction have been changed and the amount in the check is no longer valid.
It is important to remember that you cannot cancel a check after you have given it to the recipient. In this case, you need to contact your bank to cancel the cashing or deposit of the check.
Some banks may charge a fee for this service.
How to void a check
It is actually quite easy to cancel a check. You just need to follow these steps:
- Get a BLUE or BLACK pen
- Then simply write the word “VOID” in large letters and on the front of the check
- You can also write “VOID” in smaller letters on the date, payee, amount or signature line
- Then be sure to make a copy of the canceled check for yourself and record the number in your register if you have one
- That’s it, your check is canceled and can no longer be used to make payments
Remember that you can’t put your routing or bank account number on the bottom of your check. This information is required to identify your account in order to send or receive payments.
What to do if you do not have a check
If your checking account does not have the option of providing checks or you do not have a bank account, or if you use one infrequently and do not have any canceled checks, there are alternative ways to set up a direct deposit and electronic payments.
- You can use a deposit slip. Deposit slips also contain information such as routing number and bank account number, and this may be an option if you don’t have checks
- You can provide your bank details using the internet. If you need to set up online bill payments, you can do so from your online banking.
- There is also an option called a starter check. You can ask for a starter bill at your bank. It’s a regular check with your routing number and bank account number, which you can use to cancel.
- You can also just get other documents from your bank that confirm your account. For example, your bank may give you an official letter with your routing and account number, which you can use instead of a canceled check.
All of these methods can be used to replace a canceled check if you need it.
