If someone writes me a check, and I suspect the check is bad, how do I find out if it is actually bad?

Question

....I don't want to deposit a bad check in my bank, then get assessed a fee later.

Answer 1

Call the bank on the check. There is often an automated system that will let you enter the check information and verify it. If not, you can talk to a person. One of the menu options is almost always to verify a check.

Answer 2

You can call the bank that the check is written on. Most banks have a 3rd party check verification automated system that will allow you to key in the acct number and check amount. You could also take the check directly to the bank that it was wrote on to get cash then deposit the cash in your bank. This would be the safest method because if you call the check could be good then but by the time it hits your bank it could be insufficient but by taking directly to that bank they will not cash unless the funds are there. Good luck!

Answer 3

Do have a business or is it a one off? If you will be getting cheques frequently there are companies that you can have that check these out for you. You need to call them and set up an account with them. You will have to pay them a monthly fee but the fee is very small. They also take a percentage of what they authorise. Once your account is set up what you do is whenever you receive a cheque you call them and they will ask you questions which you get the information from the cheque. you should have driver's license detail written on the back of the cheque. They will authorise it and give you and authorisation number. If they don't authorise it you should reject the cheque. Once they have authorised it and you bank it and then the bank reject it this company will then reimburse you the money if they were at fault.

Answer 4

Take it to the bank or origin. If the bank is out of town, call them and ask if the check will clear before you deposit it.

Answer 5

O.K., I have had to do this for my husband's company. Call the bank, give them the account number and the amount and ask if the check will clear. Then go directly to the bank and cash it before they cancel it or use up the money in the account. Do it first thing tomorrow morning.
Good luck!

Answer 6

i had someone write me a bad check before and i didn't get any fee for it. but that could have been a courtesy because i know at work when we get customer checks back we get charged. i would call your back and their bank to see if they can do anything for you.

Answer 7

If it's a local check, take it to a branch of their bank and ask to cash it. If the money isn't in their account, they won't do it, otherwise they should cash it as long as you have proper ID.

Answer 8

A bank will not tell you if a check is good merely by looking at it as this contravenes privacy laws. You have to actually bank the check before you know if it's good or not.

Answer 9

take it to the bank where they wrote the check from
they should cash it with an ID from you, or tell you that there are not sufficient funds

Answer 10

call the issuing bank and ask them to verify funds on the account