Memo line of check?

Question

I listened to one person about what i write in the memo line. If its a rent check, write the apt. number. If its a telephone bill, credit card, write your account number.
But i think that i have been wasting my time. What i mean is can i just write rent, credit card payment, or utilities expense, or whatever i want?

By the way, for the apt. im talking about a building with 24 floors, just to let you know.

Answer 1

The memo line has no legal significance. You can write anything you want or leave it blank. If you are paying a bill, writing the account number of the bill you are paying has one possible advantage. If the check is separated from the payment coupon, the company you are paying still knows what account to apply the check to.

Answer 2

You can write anything you want in that box. In fact, you don't have to write anything at all.

The benefit of writing EXACTLY what you're paying for in that check is that if something were to happen.... I.E.. Your landlord cashes your check yet tells you that you never paid for that month for that apartment. You can then go to the bank and ask them to show you the canceled check, where you will then see that your landlord deposited it, acknowledging the month and apartment it is for.

Additionally, it's useful for credit card payments and such, where a typical AR person might have 1000 checks to process a day. It is much easier for that person to credit your account if they only have to look at the check and already have the account, rather than checking the check and remitance slip.

Answer 3

In most case I'd write what it was for and the date (Rent April 1975). In the case of a credit card, write the last four numbers of your card. The credit card company knows your number, and anyone handling the check can not access your whole account number.

Answer 4

well if you're writing a check to a place that has issued you an account number, it will be easier for them to apply it to your account, should it become separated with the pay stub. you don't have to, they will still cash your check. you won't be saving much time either by not doing so.