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By writing “VOID” on the cheque, you ensure it’s unusable in case the partially filled out cheque falls into the wrong hands after you throw it out. By writing “void” on a personal cheque, you eliminate the ability for any recipient to cash it. Since there is no cash value and you haven’t signed or dated it anywhere, it will not expire. Finally, you may provide the branch, transit, and account numbers directly to the recipient. For all of these options, cheques with the recipient first to ensure that they will accept these alternatives. You can also avoid a cheque if you make a mistake while writing one to someone.

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Given that you cannot just submit a blank check, you void it to prevent anyone from filling it out and taking funds from your account. The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date. We voided a check, which seemed to go normally, but when we went to do the reconciliation, I am off by the voided check amount. I went back and looked at the register and it shows the check and it has a $0 amount with a checkmark in the cleared column. If I go ahead and reconcile, then my next months balances will be all wrong.

What is a void cheque?

Alternatively, you may be able to request a cheque from your bank branch or get a letter from them directly providing your recipient with the appropriate information. Keep in mind that some of these options may not be acceptable to whoever is requesting the void cheque. If you plan to use an alternative to a void cheque, confirm with the party requiring it to make sure that these alternatives are acceptable.

Accounting for a Voided Check

With the routing and account numbers from your voided check, your employer can arrange to have your paycheck deposited directly into your account on payday, saving you time and hassle. There are different alternatives to a voided check that you can explore if you do not have checks and you want to set up automatic payments and direct deposits. In most cases, this includes the bank, bank address, account number, routing number, and the account holder’s name and address tied to the account.

If you need to destroy a void cheque, you’ll need to destroy the physical copy of the cheque (or ask the recipient to do so). Put a stop payment on that specific cheque or close the account linked to the void cheque. Instead, the receiver is most interested in a void cheque for the transit number, financial institution number, and account number. This article will discuss what you need to know about void cheques including how to best protect your financial information when giving one out. We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. This allows us to maintain a full-time, editorial staff and work with finance experts you know and trust.

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  • If you add one too many ‘0s’ to your check, you can’t just correct it and hope it works out.
  • Look for a link that references direct deposit and/or pre-authorized payment information after you log into your account.
  • In a computerized accounting system, there is usually a menu option for voiding a check, since this is a sufficiently common activity to warrant having its own routine.

In many instances, voiding a check is necessary for bank account verification, which involves providing a check specimen in order to confirm account information. This article is part of our free series on sending money, including the ultimate guide to bank checks, which you can access here. It’s a check that has been intentionally voided to ensure that it can never be cashed. Usually, you’ll be able to print a cheque directly to form a PDF which allows you to email it directly to the recipient without ever having to touch a physical cheque.

While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. The most common use for a voided check is to establish a direct deposit¹. If you’re going to receive payments from an employer electronically, you can send them a voided check, so they have all of your bank information.

These three numbers are found on the bottom of every cheque and tell the receiver the information they need from the void cheque. Discover what FDIC insurance is, its limits, and the types of accounts it covers. Learn if whats a voided cheque your money is safe in banks, credit unions, and with CDs.

Billers, such as utility companies, also accept payments by e-check when customers input their checking account information. Some businesses even take payments over the phone, allowing customers to provide the information orally. Voided checks can serve as a secure method to share your bank account details, eliminating the potential risk of unauthorized transactions. By providing a voided check, you ensure that your banking information is accurate, reducing the chances of miscommunication or errors.

Many employers use direct deposit to pay their employees instead of writing cheques. Once your account is linked electronically, your money will be deposited directly into your account on payday. The easiest way is to just print a void cheque from your online banking portal. Not every bank offers this option but the “Big Five“ Canadian banks such as RBC and CIBC do. If you want to set up a direct deposit with your employer, you can’t just submit a blank check to provide your bank information, as anyone could fill out the check and take money from your account.

Your last option is to gather all your bank account information in one place so that you can fill out a form for your employer to set up a direct deposit. Voided checks can serve an important role in direct deposits and other ongoing transactions. A voided check facilitates direct transfers, giving recipients faster access to their funds.

Characteristics of a Voided Check

  • The word does not have to cover the entire face of the check, but it should be big enough so no one else can use it.
  • The checks have the necessary banking information for companies to initiate direct deposits, electronic bill payments and automated clearing house transfers.
  • You can also ask for a paper copy of the Payroll, Direct Deposit, or Pre-Authorized Payment Form at your CIBC Banking Centre.
  • You can also use a voided check to set up automatic electronic payments, including ongoing expenses such as rent and bills.
  • Use large letters that fill up the entire check, or write “VOID” in smaller letters on the date, payee, amount, and signature lines.
  • If you do not have a voided check available, you may be able to provide the specific account information that is being requested of you.

A voided check can be useful for providing the necessary information for certain electronic payments, such as direct debits. For example, if you are in business and your suppliers prefer to be paid electronically, then a voided check may be part of setting up automatic payments. A voided check is used to get the information necessary for electronic payments because it includes the following details. You’ve probably already written standard cheques and know it’s a simple process – the same is true here. Simply write the word “void” across the front of a cheque to void it; this prevents anyone from cashing or depositing it. Voided cheques should be marked with a thick black marker, not a pencil, as the writing could otherwise be erased.

You also might be able to provide your routing and account numbers directly. All you need to do if you want to establish a direct deposit is take an existing check and write the word ‘VOID’ across the front of it in large capital letters. The banking information necessary to start the direct deposit is the account and routing numbers. A voided check easily and conveniently gives access to your banking information. You do not need to sign the check or enter any other information for it to serve the intended purpose. Therefore, when you give your banking information to another person for legitimate use, you can use a voided check.

If you don’t have any checks, and you want to set up a direct deposit or automatic electronic payment, there are other ways to do so. While you don’t strictly need a voided check to set up a direct deposit², many employers will ask for one. If you do not have a checkbook, the process of getting checks, voiding them and providing it to the employer for direct deposit can be difficult compared to the available alternatives.

It is best to permanently deface or destroy a voided check, so that no one can present it to a bank at a later date and expect to be paid for it. If the check is not currently in the company’s possession, then contact the bank and authorize a stop payment on the check (for which the bank will charge a fee). If you write “Void” on a check, always use ink; someone could erase a “Void” mark made with a pencil and then try to cash the check. A void cheque is often requested by an employer so it has the banking information it needs to facilitate setting up direct deposit of your pay into your bank account. On a voided cheque, you’ll find three key sets of numbers that a company or employer will need to set up direct deposit or pre-authorized payments. Alternatively, you can check whether your bank will allow you to print a void cheque directly from your online banking portal.