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Why, when, and how to void a personal check
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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.
How to Void a Check
Write “VOID” across the front of the check with a blue or black permanent marker. Use large letters that fill up the entire check, or write “VOID” in smaller letters on the date, payee, amount, and signature lines.
Steps
Section 5 of 5:
Canceling a Check After You Have Sent It
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Ensure you have all the required information. If you want to stop a check payment after you have sent it, you must act quickly. Canceling a check is different than voiding a check and generally incurs a fee. In order to save time with the bank, make sure you have all the necessary information on the check you want to cancel. The information required may vary by bank, but you should make sure you have the following details:
- The check number, the amount the check was for, and the date of the check.
- The payee, or the person or organization to whom you wrote the check.
- The reason for stopping the payment, such as writing the wrong amount on the check.
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Void the check online. Depending on your bank, you will probably be able to cancel a check through your online banking account. It's essential that you do this quickly. If the payment has been processed, the only way to stop it is by contacting your bank directly and getting a "Stop Payment Order."
- A stop payment order is an order not to pay a check that has been issued but has yet to be cashed. If requested soon enough, the check will not be debited from the payer's account. Most banks charge a fee for this service [11] X Research source
- Log into your account and seek out the customer services and options provided by your bank. If you have the option to stop a check payment or void a check, select this and cancel the appropriate check number.
- Make sure you copy the number across correctly, or you might cancel the wrong payment.
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Phone your bank. If you don't have access to online banking or just want to deal with a real person, phone up your bank directly. You will be asking them for a "Stop Payment Order." Speed is important, so using the phone is a good option if you get through to somebody in customer service without spending too long on hold.
- A stop payment order is an order not to pay a check that has been issued but not yet cashed. If requested soon enough, the check will not be debited from the payer's account. Most banks charge a fee for this service. [12] X Research source
- Before you call, make sure you have all the same information about the check you want to cancel that you would need in order to cancel it online: the check number, amount, and date, the payee, and the reason you need to stop the payment.
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Tips
- If you properly record a stop payment order and the bank cashes the check, the bank may be liable for the cashed check. [13] X Research sourceThanks
- Make a record of all voided checks in your check register or check book as well as your online banking software so that you can accurately keep track of the checks being written from your account. This is important in order to avoid confusion later and maintain clear and up-to-date financial records. In your checkbook or register, write down that the check was voided by you and include a few words on the reason why. For example, "wrote the wrong amount."Thanks
- Rather than writing “void” on a check if a mistake is made when filling out the check, you can just rip it up or shred the check. Throw the pieces in a couple of different trash cans to keep your banking information safe. Just be sure to notate the voided check in your check registry.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.thebalancemoney.com/what-is-a-voided-check-315083
- ↑ https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/what-is-a-voided-check-184318755.html
- ↑ https://www.thebalancemoney.com/what-is-a-voided-check-315083
- ↑ https://ldh.la.gov/assets/medicaid/lahipp/EFT.PDF
- ↑ https://ldh.la.gov/assets/medicaid/lahipp/EFT.PDF
- ↑ https://www.nd.gov/eforms/Doc/sfn54494.pdf
- ↑ https://bsc.ogs.ny.gov/direct-deposit-form-nys-employees-ac-2772
- ↑ https://found.com/help/funding-your-found-account/where-can-i-find-a-voided-check-or-bank-letter
- ↑ https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/ohiodnr.gov/documents/wildlife/permits/dow-form-eft-authorization-change-8926.pdf
- ↑ https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/credit-cards/what-is-plaid-and-how-does-it-work
- ↑ https://www.helpwithmybank.gov/help-topics/bank-accounts/stop-payment-orders/index-stop-payment-orders.html
- ↑ https://www.helpwithmybank.gov/help-topics/bank-accounts/stop-payment-orders/index-stop-payment-orders.html
- ↑ http://www.helpwithmybank.gov/get-answers/bank-accounts/stop-payment-orders/faq-bank-accounts-stop-payment-orders-03.html
About This Article
Article Summary
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To properly void a check, make sure you use a pen, not a pencil. Write VOID in large, noticeable letters across the payee line, payment amount box, and signature box, going over the text multiple times until the words are crystal clear. To avoid confusion down the road, record the voided check in your checkbook or online banking software. For advice from our reviewer on canceling a check after you’ve sent it, read on!
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