Although many people still use checks for payments and bank transactions, you may occasionally need to void a check. Knowing how to void a check properly is essential for avoiding potential errors or unauthorized transactions. To know how to properly do it, you need to understand how to void a check and explain the benefits of voiding a check for various financial tasks.
What is a Voided Check?
When you mark a check as invalid, it becomes unusable for cashing or payment. By writing “VOID” across the front of the check, you signal to anyone who sees it that it cannot be processed for any transaction. However, a voided check can still display important details like your bank’s routing number and your account number, which can be useful when setting up electronic transfers.
Why Would You Need to Void a Check?
Knowing how to get a voided check is helpful for various financial needs. Some common reasons for voiding a check include:
Setting Up Direct Deposit
Many employers require a voided check to set up direct deposit for paychecks. This allows them to deposit money directly into your account.
Setting Up Automatic Payments
Service providers like utility companies or landlords may ask for a voided check to arrange automatic monthly payments.
Correcting Mistakes
If you make an error when writing a check, voiding it prevents any issues from arising if the check accidentally ends up in someone’s hands.
How to Void a Check?
Voiding a check is simple and can be done in just a few steps:
Use a Pen
Start by using a black or blue pen. Avoid pencils since they can be erased.
Write “VOID” Across the Check
Write “VOID” in large letters across the check. Make it visible but don’t cover the important details like the account or routing numbers.
Record It in Your Check Register
Note that the check has been voided in your check register for your records. This can help avoid confusion later on.
Submit the Check if Necessary
If someone, like your employer, asks for a voided check, make sure to submit it directly to them. A voided check example might look like any other check, but with “VOID” written on it to ensure it can’t be cashed.
Dispose of Unneeded Voided Checks Securely
If you don’t need to give the voided check to anyone, shred it to prevent any unauthorized use.
Common Situations Requiring a Voided Check
Here are some common scenarios where voiding a check can be helpful:
Setting Up Direct Deposit
A voided check is often requested by employers when setting up direct deposits for paychecks. By using a voided check, employers can accurately get your account information without risking accidental cashing.
Arranging Automatic Bill Payments
Many service providers, like utility companies, ask for a voided check to set up recurring payments. This way, they can withdraw funds directly from your account on the due date.
Fixing Errors on a Check
If you wrote a check but made a mistake, like entering the wrong amount or misspelling a name, voiding the check ensures that it won’t be used or processed by mistake.
Canceling a Check for Security
Sometimes people void checks they no longer need to ensure they won’t be cashed accidentally. This is a good security practice to prevent unauthorized transactions.
Common Mistakes When Voiding Checks
Voiding a check is simple, but there are a few common mistakes to watch out for. Avoid these pitfalls to make sure your voided check is secure and clear.
Not Writing “VOID” Clearly and Boldly
Make sure to write “VOID” in large, bold letters across the check. If the word is too small, faint, or placed in an odd spot, someone might accidentally try to use the check. Writing “VOID” in big, clear letters across the entire check ensures everyone can see it’s unusable.
Using a Pencil Instead of a Pen
Avoid using a pencil when writing “VOID.” Pencil marks can smudge, and someone could erase them. Always use a black or blue pen to make “VOID” permanent and visible, so no one can accidentally cash the check.
Not Recording the Voided Check
If you’re voiding a check, it’s a good idea to record it in your check register or bank app. Write down the check number and note that it was voided. This way, when you’re balancing your account, you won’t wonder if you used that check for something else.
Throwing Away Instead of Shredding
Don’t just toss a voided check in the trash. It still has your bank account details, which could be used for fraud if it gets into the wrong hands. To protect your information, always shred or thoroughly destroy any voided checks that you don’t need to keep.
Voiding the Check Incorrectly When Needed for Direct Deposit or Payments
If a company or employer asks for a voided check to set up direct deposits or automatic payments, be careful not to cover the important bank details. Write “VOID” across the check without hiding your account and routing numbers, so the information they need is still readable.
Alternatives to a Voided Check
Sometimes, a voided check is the easiest way to set up direct deposits or automatic payments. But if you don’t have a checkbook or don’t want to use a check, there are other options you can try.
Here are some alternatives to a voided check:
Direct Deposit Authorization Form
Many employers and banks accept a direct deposit form instead of a voided check. When filling it out, just make sure to carefully enter your bank’s routing number and your account number to avoid any errors.
Voided Counter Check
A counter check is a blank check that you can request from your bank or credit union if you don’t have a regular check. These are often given to new account holders as temporary checks. Ask a teller at your bank if they can provide one, and then mark it as “VOID” as you would with a regular check.
Deposit Slip
Some checkbooks include deposit slips that have your account information printed on them. You may be able to use one of these instead of a voided check, as long as it has all the necessary details.
Photocopy of a Check or Deposit Slip
A clear photocopy of a check or deposit slip can sometimes be used as a replacement for a voided check. As long as it shows your account and routing numbers, it should work in most cases.
Which option will work best depends on what your bank or the company you’re dealing with accepts. You may need to check with them to find out what they require.
Why Voiding a Check Matters for Your Financial Security
Knowing how to void a check properly is more than just a banking skill—it’s a way to keep your finances safe and organized. By learning this simple process and understanding alternatives, you build trust with banks and companies, protect your information, and avoid potential issues. Small steps like these strengthen your overall financial security and make managing money easier.