Because it is the most convenient way to receive a paycheck, most workers would rather receive their wages through direct deposit. As a requirement to make this happen, employers require a sample void check to set up this payment option. The voided check contains the details about your bank, a routing number, and account number. With this information, your employer would know where to deposit your pay. You should be very cautious when giving out this information. You should also know the right way to void a check to set up your direct deposit correctly and safely.
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Voided Check Templates
What is a voided check?
You will find the word “VOID” prominently written across the front of a voided check form. Since it’s written in big letters, there is no risk of the check being accidentally used. Voiding a check invalidates it so nobody can use it for any transaction.
Even if a thief steals your check, they cannot write their name on the check since it’s voided. The main purpose of the check is to provide information so that you can set up an electronic link with your bank account. It contains the required details including:
- The credit union or bank that you use
- Your account number.
- A routing number, which is a code that identifies your bank.
You will find the numbers printed in special ink at the bottom of the check. Here are some situations where you may need a voided check:
- Direct deposit. If you want your paychecks to be electronically direct deposited to your bank account, your employer needs your account information to put your money in the correct place. The simplest way for them to get the information they need is through a voided check.
- Setting up payments. If you don’t want to use checks to pay for expenses like mortgage, insurance, or rent, you have to provide a voided check to set up automatic electronic payments. Depending on the method you have chosen, the funds for your payments will get deducted from your bank account automatically or you have to set up each payment manually.
- When you make a mistake. There might be times when you make a mistake while writing down the information on a check. You need to either void the check or tear it up so nobody else can use it. Also, remember that people can still use a check that has been partially filled out.
Fake Voided Checks
Why do you need to void a check?
You can use voided checks when you need to provide account number and bank routing number without worrying that someone might use the check. In some cases, like setting up recurring payments or direct deposits, the other party you will deal with may require you to submit a blank check. For instance, this is standard procedure when setting up automatic mortgage payments. You don’t want to give away blank checks just like that because it’s very risky. Instead, it’s better to send a voided check.
When voiding your check, don’t write over the numbers printed at the bottom because the numbers are the information your recipient needs. Voiding a check is a safety precaution as it allows you to cancel the check when you don’t need it anymore. There could also be times when you didn’t use a check but you still require the information on it. In such a case, don’t get rid of the check just yet.
You may have to void a check if, while writing down the required information, you make a mistake. A very common example is when you write the wrong amount. You need to void the check to keep the recipient from using the check. Also, you cannot void a check after giving it to the payee. In such a case, the best thing to do is to stop the check from getting deposited or cashed by requesting a stop payment from the bank. This procedure involves a small fee.
How to void a check
When a check has the word “VOID” written on the front, it means that the check isn’t valid anymore. It is a check that banks won’t accept for payments. But you can still use a voided check to provide the required information for making payments like in the case of direct deposits. For the back to consider a check void, cancel it first before the recipient uses it.
A voided check is different from a canceled check. A canceled check is a check that the bank has cleared, so you can’t use it anymore. If you need to void a check, you don’t have to use a voided check generator. Follow these steps to void a check for whatever purpose you need:
- You need a blank check first. When you need to submit a blank check for whatever purpose, you don’t need to write down all of the information on the lines. You just need to start with a blank check.
- Use a black or blue pen to void the check. Write the word “VOID” across the front of the check using a pen. Make sure not to do not cover the account or routing numbers as you need these details. Doing this prevents anyone from filling out and using the check.
- Make a copy for your file. Before sending the voided check to your recipient, create a copy of the original voided check. Keep the original copy to remind yourself that you cannot use the check with the specific routing number for any reason. Make several copies to give to whoever needs one.
Voided Check Forms
How to get a voided check
Employers usually request their employees, especially new hires, to provide a voided check. If you need to submit one, it’s better to go with a voided check rather than a blank one so nobody can use it for any purpose. There have been lots of cases where people lose their checkbooks. When this happens, they can lose money due to withdrawals from their bank accounts without their consent.
Voided checks are checks that aren’t valid anymore. You cannot use a voided check for transactions and it’s as good as a check that you have torn into pieces. Anybody can get or make a voided check without having to resort to a fake voided check. The easiest way to void a check is to remove a blank one from your checkbook and prepare a blue or black pen. Write the word “VOID’ in big letters on the front. You can also write this word in different places like:
- The line for the payee
- The line for the payment amount
- The box for the payment amount
- The signature line, which you can find at the back
You also have the option to write one big “VOID” that covers the entire front of the check except for the important details. Writing the word “VOID” in different places makes it impossible for other people to use your check. After doing this, you can submit the voided check to your employer or anyone else requesting it.
If you don’t have a checkbook or you don’t want to void one of your checks, contact the bank. One of the tellers may print a pre-voided check. You can use it to verify account details. Most banks would agree to do this for their clients.
Can I make my own voided check?
Yes. The process to create a voided check is very simple as it only involves writing the word “VOID” on the front. The easiest way to create a voided check is to tear out one of the checks from checkbook and write the word across the front in big and bold letters.
What happens if you deposit a voided check?
You shouldn’t try to deposit a canceled check to the bank as it can cause you various problems. Remember that once a check gets canceled, it means that the person who wrote the check has already used the check for the transaction it’s meant for. Either you or the person whose name is on the check has already received the money.
Now, the check only serves as a historical record. Banks won’t accept voided checks. But if you try to deposit a canceled check into your account, the bank will remove the funds as soon as they discover the error. As a consequence, the bank may charge you processing fees. Other consequences of trying to deposit a canceled check are:
Legal consequences
You don’t have the right to payment if your name doesn’t appear on the check. If you try to do this, you could encounter legal issues. For instance, if you try to deposit or cash a check. Passing a bad check is a criminal offense and the penalties for doing so include possible jail time or prosecution.
Your bank will close your account. Then they will report you to one of the credit bureau agencies. Since many banks request credit reports on applicants for checking accounts, you might find it difficult in opening a new bank account in the future with such a history.
It could affect your account
There are many cases where canceled checks make their way onto a person’s account. When this happens, the bank would remove the money within a few days. The bank can also take further action by charging the person with a processing fee.
Depending on the current balance and check amount, the bank could also withdraw the person’s account. This leads to the bank’s refusal to accept payments for checks that the person will write, thus creating a snowball of adverse effects on their finances.
The bank may refuse the check
Banks don’t usually allow clients to deposit canceled checks. The bank teller could clearly see that the check has a stamp that says either “paid” or “canceled” on the front. This means that the only chance that the transaction could occur would be because of an oversight. For example, the teller might not have noticed the stamped words.
Or you might have placed the check in an ATM or an overnight depository where bank employees only verify the transactions after you leave. In the first scenario, the teller will remove the transaction since the check was already canceled. Should your check make it passed the teller, the operations department of the bank would block the money from getting into your account.
Other considerations
The main purpose of a canceled check is to serve as a payment record. You can use it as proof that you used the money in a transaction. Most banks don’t return original checks with bank statements, but they may provide you with a copy. But today, canceled checks have become a thing of the past since recent federal regulations promote the use of electronic processing of check images instead of paper checks.
Alternatives to a voided check
There is only one issue when need to provide a voided check. You should know how to properly void a check. This is a concern for those who haven’t tried voiding a check in the past. If you don’t have a checkbook or you haven’t used checks before but you need to set up an automatic electronic payment or direct deposit, you can opt for the following alternatives:
- Request a voided check from your bank. If you don’t have a paper check, this isn’t a problem. All you have to do is to go to your bank and request one of the tellers for a voided check. This process usually involves paying a minimal fee.
- Follow the directions to set up your direct deposit. Most banks often provide instructions on how to set up a direct deposit without using voided checks. Either call or visit your bank to see if there is any information on this. You can also check the website of your bank.
- Find out the information about your bank. Another option is to gather all of your account information and use the information to fill out a form for your employer. That way, your employer can set up the direct deposit for you. The information you need to provide includes your bank account number, routing number, the name of your bank, and its business address.
