It helps provide a company with the necessary bank account information while preventing the actual check from being used for financial transactions. To void a check for your employer to set up direct deposit, take a blank check and write “VOID” in large letters across the entire check. Be certain that you don’t cover the routing or the account numbers, which your employer will use to ensure your paycheck goes to the right account. Make a copy of the check to send to your employer and a second copy for your records. Employers often use voided checks to set up direct deposits for their payroll, and service providers may need them to set up direct debits. This is because a blank check has all the information they need, such as routing or account numbers.
Set up automatic electronic bill payments
Payment services may also require a voided check when setting up an account. Certain types of transactions might require a voided check to verify your banking information. If you need to provide this info, you’ll often be asked to https://www.kelleysbookkeeping.com/ include your routing number and account number on a form but also to include a copy of a voided check. A voided check appears like a regular check, but it’s normally marked with the word “VOID” in bold, typically across the front.
Starter Checks
Write “VOID” in large, bold letters in black or blue ink across the front of the check. In this guide, learn how to make a voided check and other potential factors to consider. Balancing a checkbook and keeping track of all your expenses are great ways to start on the path to budgeting. Get started with a step-by-step guide, and take control of your money.
Printed letter
For example, they might accept a bank letter or a voided preprinted deposit slip as verification of your banking information. In some cases, the entity requesting a voided check might accept a letter printed on bank letterhead. The instructions you receive will outline the information they’ll need on the letter. Expect to provide your routing number, account number, and your name.
Direct Deposit
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. With the rise of online banks, your checking account may not come with a supply of paper checks. If you don’t have access to paper checks that you can void and provide to your employer or a merchant who needs one, there are other ways to set up ACH transactions. Voiding a check is a common practice used to nullify incorrect checks and set up direct deposits or bill payments. The process is fairly straightforward, but it’s important that you do it carefully to avoid someone using your check fraudulently.
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. This is why employers ask for a voided check to set up direct deposit, not purchase discount journal entry a blank one. It normally has the word “VOID” written across the front so it may not be mistakenly used for a transaction. People can supply a business or an entity with a voided check to easily share their bank account details for an electronic payment or direct deposit.
- For federal benefits, there’s no extra charge for direct deposits.
- Instead of trying to correct the error you may have made on a check, it’s better and safer to cancel the check completely by voiding it.
- As long as the information is copied adequately and the recipient says it’s fine.
- After you void the check, record the voided check number in your checkbook.
Typically, a voided check is used to get information needed for electronic payments because it includes details such as your routing number, account number, and check number. Most employers will ask for a voided check to set up your direct deposit in https://www.kelleysbookkeeping.com/activity-cost-driver/ addition to filling out a form. They ask for this because a check has all the information your employer needs to help ensure your paycheck is deposited in your account. You may need to void a check when you make an electronic financial transaction.
In a variety of situations, providing a voided check enables you to share your checking account information without allowing anyone to use the blank check. If you’re the one making the payments, you may need a voided check from the other party to connect the accounts. If the other person is making the payments, he or she will need a voided check from you for the same purpose. Even though fewer consumers make payments by check, voided checks remain important.
