To verify a check, you need to contact the bank that the money is coming from.
- Find the bank name on the front of the check.
- Search for the bank online and visit the bank’s official site to get a phone number for customer service.
- Tell the customer service representative that you’d like to verify a check you received.
How to protect yourself from a bad check?
The best way to protect yourself when bad checks are common (or just too expensive) is to use a check verification service. Those services help you identify bad checks by checking several databases before you accept the check as payment (you run the check through a check reader or punch in the routing and account number online). 8
What to do if you cant verify a check at a bank?
If you can’t verify funds (or if you want to be especially cautious), take the check to a branch of the bank that the funds are drawn on. You might be able to cash the check there instantly without depositing it—which eliminates the chance of the check bouncing. Some banks may charge a fee for this, and not all banks do it.
Can you tell if a check is good by looking at it?
Checks are often used for large payments, but you can’t tell if a check is good by looking at it. Unless the check writer has sufficient funds available when your check is presented to the bank, the check will bounce. If that happens, you’ll pay fees to your bank, and you have a worthless piece of paper.
When do you need to use a check verification service?
If you run a business, you might accept checks and regularly have to wonder if those checks are any good. Verifying funds can be time-consuming, and it might not be possible to do so while customers are waiting in line. The best way to protect yourself when bad checks are common (or just too expensive) is to use a check verification service.
