When a store sticks your check in that machine what does it do?

Question

When you write a check at a grocery store or where ever there is this machine that the check feeds into, what does it do?

What does it check?

Answer 1

The ink that's printed on the check with your account number is actually magnetic, the reader is then able to read the account number and routing number off the bottom of your check, and it can check your account info against the different check verification sources to determine if a check is likely to clear or not. If you've had bounced checks you haven't paid and been reported by your bank to one of the verification places, and they have you in their system, then it'll return that info to the merchant trying to run your check and they'll refuse it.

Answer 2

In addition to all of the answers already given, there is one more machine in use at some stores. If they read your check and then gave it back to you to keep, then they have this new machine. This newest innovation allows a business to scan your check and have it converted to an electronic transaction that will clear your account without the paper check being deposited. It makes your check act just like a bank debit card.

Answer 3

The numbers at the bottom of the check are called MICR numbers and the machine checks these numbers to insure the validity of the check. However, it is not 100% accurate.

Answer 4

it works just like a credit card machine to check and make sure you have funds available and it also scans your account number to check and see that you have not written bad checks there before

Answer 5

well, there's that machine and also, just the one from the store that prints the endorsing of the grocery store on it