Q&A for How to Fix Mistakes Made when Writing Checks

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  • Question
    What do I do if I signed in the memo area of a cheque?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Sign the check again on the proper line. You can leave the first signature where it is if you like, or, if you prefer, you can cross it out and initial it. Either way the check is negotiable.
  • Question
    If l wrote a check and spelled the surname wrong, if I correct it and initial the correction, will it be accepted by the bank?
    PreuxFox
    Top Answerer
    Yes, in most cases this should be accepted. Strike a single line through the surname and rewrite it correctly, then clearly initial beside the change. It is best if you use the same pen that you used to originally write out the check.
  • Question
    If I ordered checks and the company put the wrong account number on the checks, can I just write it in with pen?
    Emily Berger1
    Community Answer
    No, you'll need to contact the company that created your checks and tell them that the wrong account number is on them. Writing the right account number on the checks using a pen likely won't be accepted by a bank.
  • Question
    If a check is made out to the wrong person can I correct it using my initials?
    Emily Berger1
    Community Answer
    You can try, but it's likely that the bank won't accept it because it's a different name that will be written, not just a misspelling. Contact your bank to ask them before signing your initials, if possible.
  • Question
    My ex husband mailed me a check for $135.00 when it should have been $185.00 what should I do now?
    Emily Berger1
    Community Answer
    You'll need to contact your ex husband and tell him that he wrote the wrong amount on the check--hopefully he'll send you a new one. It's not possible to fix the wrong check, so you'll need to rip it up and dispose of it either way.
  • Question
    I started writing the wrong date on a check, how do I fix it?
    Emily Berger1
    Community Answer
    See if you can easily correct the numbers, such as turning a 1 into a 4 and so on. If not, cross the wrong date out using a pen and write the correct date right above it.
  • Question
    Sign my name on my husbsnds check by error will the bank honor the check
    Emily Berger1
    Community Answer
    If it clearly states your name instead of your husband's, it's likely the bank won't accept it. If you both have similar signatures, then it's more possible that it'll be okay.
  • Question
    Can I use a check if I wrote the wrong month or do I have too void it?
    Emily Berger1
    Community Answer
    Cross out the wrong date and write the correct one above it, putting your initials next to it to show that you authenticated it. Your bank should accept the correction.
  • Question
    How do I fix a check if I wrote the pay order name incorrectly?
    Emily Berger1
    Community Answer
    Cross out the incorrect name using a blue or black pen, and write the correct name above it. Write your initials next to the correction to show that you approved it, and the bank should accept the check.
  • Question
    They wrote out the wrong amount on the line than what the amount of the check that is in the box
    Emily Berger1
    Community Answer
    This type of mistake can't be corrected because the written out amount is the most important. You'll need to void the check and get another one if possible.
  • Question
    Can I type the information on a personal check and sign my name in handwriting?
    Community Answer
    Yes you can type out the payee, amounts and memo on the bank and it must be signed by hand.
  • Question
    Can I cross out an error on a check and correct my spelling error?
    Ember Matichuk
    Community Answer
    You should just cross out whole word. It looks neater and easier to read. Checks should be very neat.
  • Question
    If I signed at the end of the "pay to the order of" line after I filled out all the other information. Can I just put a single line and initial it and sign in the right area?
    PreuxFox
    Top Answerer
    Yes, that would be fine. You don't even have to put a line through the incorrect signature if you don't want to since it's not conveying any incorrect information. Just make sure you do sign in the correct spot as well.
  • Question
    The check is written Doug instead of Douglas. How should I endorse it?
    PreuxFox
    Top Answerer
    Technically you should endorse it as Doug, but this is not a matter that most banks look closely at these days.
  • Question
    Your sample photos all show the signature on the wrong line on the front of the check. The bottom left line is the memo line. The bottom right line is for the signature of the person writing the check
    PreuxFox
    Top Answerer
    This is the case in the US, but not in all countries. It's likely that the person who provided the illustrations lives somewhere other than the US.
  • Question
    Can I cross out the payee line and cash a check that I made to myself?
    PreuxFox
    Top Answerer
    That's generally not a good idea. If this is a regular check, try shredding the check in question and just using a withdrawal form to take the funds from your account. If this is a cashier's check or money order, you definitely cannot modify the front; you should talk to your bank about how to redeem the funds, but the usual process is to write 'not used for purposes intended' in the endorsement spot on the back, and the bank can then redeposit the funds or cash them back to you.
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