How To Void A Check Correctly

Has your employer asked you to provide a “void check” to help them set up a direct deposit for you? Or, do you need to cancel or void a check for some reason but don’t know how? Don’t worry. Luckily for you, canceling or annulling a check is relatively easy. In this post, we will show you the correct way to do it.

We will also tell you the common mistakes people make when voiding checks, and how to avoid them.

What Is A Void Check? 

A void check is a check that has been canceled or nullified. Voiding a check means it cannot be cashed.

It is very hard, if not impossible, to find a bank that doesn’t have an online presence. The majority of banks have a website and a mobile app. Most banks also provide an accompanying debit card for checking accounts you maintain with them.

An online presence and a debit card make it easy for the bank’s customers to conduct their banking activities online.

Things like checking your account balance, depositing a check, paying your creditors, and transferring money can be done easily online, on the bank’s website, without the need to visit the bank’s branch.

While these banking innovations have almost obviated the need for paper checks, there are instances where using a paper check is inescapable. If you wrote a check and now want to void it, but don’t know how, keep reading.

Reasons For Voiding A Check

There are two common reasons why someone might want to void a check:

• To prevent the check from getting cashed
• To set up a direct deposit (using the account and routing numbers on the bottom of the check).

Preventing The Check From Getting Cashed

Sometimes circumstances do change, and you may suddenly find yourself in a situation where you want to stop payment on a check you issued to someone.

The best way is to contact the payee and ask them to return the check. Upon receiving it, you should write the word “Void” in large, bold letters across the front of the check so as to make it clear to anyone who may handle it. 

You may also contact your bank and ask them for a stop payment on the check. You will need to provide the check number, the amount, and the name of the payee.

To Set Up A Direct Deposit

Most employers pay by direct deposit. A direct deposit is a system in which your salary or payment is deposited directly into your bank account.

To set this up, your employer may ask you to provide a void check. The process may vary from employer to employer, but often the employer will request a void check in addition to your account and routing numbers.

With the void check, your employer will be able to deposit your paychecks directly to your account using the correct bank account information provided on the check.

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The Right Ways To Void A Check

When you are voiding a check, the main rule is to do it in a way that clears all doubts as to it being void. You do so by writing in big, bold letters, the word “VOID” across the face of the check with a black or blue ink pen.

While there is no “official” standard on how a check must be voided, through the years, banks and their clients have agreed, unofficially, on what’s acceptable and what’s not.

 You want to make sure that the person receiving the check has no doubts about it being canceled.

It is important to remember that banks have a duty to protect its customers and ensure that their finances are safe. By following correct procedures, these goals are more likely to be achieved.

In summary, to void a check the right way, do the following:

• Write the word VOID in big, bold letters across the face of the check
• Use a black or blue ink pen or a marker.
• Do not write on the bank account or routing numbers
• Keep a copy of the voided check for your records

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Common Mistakes People Make When Voiding A Check

Voiding a check is a simple and straightforward process, but you wouldn’t believe how often people get it wrong. These are the most common mistakes people make when voiding a check:

•  Writing “Void” in small letters that can barely be seen

The rule is simple here: whoever ends up handling your check should not be spending too much time trying to understand whether it’s void or not.

• Spelling mistakes or illegible writing

The word “void” means void, and any variation may cause confusion and not be accepted. It is equally essential that the text be easily understandable, especially if you have bad handwriting.

• Writing over the account or routing numbers

Despite the check itself being voided, the account and routing numbers may still be required when setting up direct payments or asking the bank to stop the payment. Regardless of your reason to void your check, these numbers must always remain clearly visible.

• Not writing write “Void” on the check

 Some people write “Cancel”, “Stop”, or even manage to squeeze a small text about why the check shouldn’t be used anymore but never mention the word “void.”

Ambiguous or alternative instructions can easily get misinterpreted by the bank or ignored. Also, your employer may not accept it because the word “Void” is missing.

• Using pencils instead of pens

While highly visible, any text written with a pencil can be easily erased. Fraudsters can take advantage of such a situation and attempt to write an amount on the check and cash it. Also, most banks will refuse to accept a check written with a pencil.

• Giving a blank check

No matter how much you trust the recipient, giving a blank is never a great idea. The consequence of your blank check falling into the wrong hands can be severe.

Conclusion

As you can see, voiding a check is easy and should not cause you any issues if done correctly.

If you wrote you now want to cancel or you’re trying to set up a direct deposit with your employer, the rules are the same: write “void” in large visible letters across the check. Use a black or blue pen or marker, and avoid writing on the account and routing numbers.

If you still need additional information on voiding a check, there’s some resource.

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