Learn How To Write A Check Before It Gets Too Late!
Learn How To Write A Check Before It Gets Too Late. What mode of payment do you use? Do you prefer a check or paying online?
We can imagine the dreadfulness when it comes to writing a check. Although most people have converted to other means of payments, it doesn’t mean that checks are useless. There are many occasions where writing a check will be the ultimate solution and option. So, if you have a checkbook, it’s better to keep it close to yourself instead of throwing it away.
What will you do when you have to write a check in an emergency? Do you know how to write a foolproof check? As it is obvious you have stored away that book for months; you might not know how to use it.
My suggestion?
Learn how to do it before you get yourself into some unwanted trouble. And what’s that? It’s the misuse of a check.
What Is A Check?
The new era, or to be called the modern era of the 21st century, does not know how this piece of paper is essential.
To break the complex information into simpler words, a check is like a slow debit card. By debit and credit cards, you get the money transaction right away without a minor delay in 3 to 4 seconds. But the check is slightly different.
Although it works for the same purpose, it is mostly used for larger amounts, and it works a little slower. Once the check is given to someone, it takes hours or even days for the person to transact the money. Although it is a slower process, it has its benefits and demerits. But it is undoubtedly useful. That’s for sure!
Are Checks Still Important?
I know that you prefer using the internet or other methods of payment like credit cards, virtual credit cards and debit cards, but what do your parents use? They will surely want to use checks.
Let me ask you a simple question. How do you get your pay for the job? A paycheck indeed! It’s more than obvious that the need for checks is still prevailing, and even if you know the benefits of it, you will prefer using the paychecks for large amounts of payments.
On the other hand, what kind of payment does your landlord demand. They want their money handed to them in the form of checks. What does this mean? It means that when you are talking about serious money in which discipline is the key, checks come back to the scene to fulfill their roles and save the day. Let’s admit that many elderly citizens still don’t use the internet, and checks come in handy for them.
So there’s that!
Types of Checks
Check isn’t of the same type. There are a lot of check types, and the most common one of them is the personal check, and I am sure you will be using that too.
Meanwhile, look through these types. It won’t hurt to have an increment in general knowledge.
- Personal Check
- Certified Check
- Cashier’s Check
- Payroll Check
- Bounced Check
- Money Order
- Traveler Check
- Post-Dated Check
- Bearer Check
- Open Check
How to Write A Check?
If you haven’t yet written a check, what will you do when you have to write one. You can’t just say that you won’t be using one in the future if you haven’t till now. That’s frenzy talk!
It is sure that you will need a check, and when the time comes, it’s better to be prepared for it and know how to do it.
Suppose you are sitting at the desk with the owner of something, or you are in a formal business gathering where you have to write a check. One mistake and there goes all of the confidence and credibility. The awkwardness and the embarrassment are clearly not worth it.
Even if that doesn’t happen, suppose you do not know the basics of writing a check, and someone comes and fools you. What will happen then? You will become the bait of fraud and theft. And I know I don’t want that to happen. And I can assure you that you won’t like that either.
So what should be done? It would help if you learned how to write a check. Relax! Don’t stress yourself out because it is easy, and you have to follow these simple steps:
1. Mention the Current Date
You open the checkbook, and you will do the first and foremost important thing. That is writing the date on the check.
Where is it? Can’t find it? The area to write the date is located on the top-right corner of the check. Just fill in the correct date in the area to let the payee know that on what date the check was written.
Do not worry about the format of the date the most checks have a format written, or if that is not present on the check, you can just write a standard form of the date with the form, dd/mm/yy. Once it is done, you can move on to other things.
2. For Whom Is The Check Written?
This is one of the most fundamental things in writing a check. You need to add the name of the payee in this portion. But why is it so important to note the name of the person? Well, it is because your check does not fall into the wrong hands.
When you do not the name of the company or the person this check goes to, anybody can use this check and will have access to your money. And no one wants that to happen.
Just make sure that you write the exact name of the person in clear handwriting.
3. Payment Amount in Numbers
This is the most crucial and fundamental part of the check and must be written with great care. This portion is present on the right side of the check.
Now, what must you do?
Start with writing the dollar sign and then start adding your amount in the box. Once you write it, make sure that it is easily readable. The bank needs to easily understand the amount you have written in order to avoid inconveniences.
Just imagine someone reading the one you wrote as 7. Wouldn’t that be awful? Make sure that your handwriting is clear and noticeable. Only then will you be relaxed that your check cannot be misused.
4. The Payment Amount In Words
Now comes the time to double-check everything. You must think, why do I have to write it in words when I have already written it in the numeric. Well, let’s suppose that someone does not understand what you have written. This portion acts as a savior and a reassurance.
Now, what must you do?
Write the amount you wrote in numbers clearly in words. This comes after the words written, “pay in the order of.” Starting from the greatest value, write down the amount in words. Make sure that you are writing everything correctly.
Now comes another crucial part. Always write down the number of cents too. This would be written in a different way and not in words.
Let’s just suppose that the amount you wrote is $147.56, and you have 56 cents. The cents should always be written over 100. And the amount of the cents would be 56/100. And even if you don’t have extra cents in the amount you wrote, always write as 00/100. This acts as a double assurance.
5. Note Down the Memo
This part is present at the bottom of the check. The memo is, although not as crucial as the other parts of the check, it is just for your purpose. It is like the reminder or the purpose of the check.
For suppose you are writing a check as your monthly rent of the apartment, you can write that statement down on the check. It is just for your ease and easy remembrance.
6. Sign It!
A check will not be accepted until or unless you sign it.
What’s the worst thing that you could do? Sign the check before making sure of the amount and the payee. And what would that result in? In this way, people can misuse it and add their own desired amount to the check. What next? You will be stressed about the fact that you wanted to pay $100, but instead, $200 was drawn out. This will only be a matter of disturbance and stress.
What lesson do we learn? It is that you should always sign the check after everything is made sure of.
On the other hand, try to make your signature clean and clear that everyone recognizes it is yours and there is no problem at the bank for the payee.
Other Parts Of A Check
I’m sure you must be thinking, is there more? Haven’t I done everything?
Well, basically, you have done everything, but you still need to know about a few more things, and the information about these things I also necessary to make sure that everything is all and done.
Apart from the things that have already been mentioned, there are a few more things which are listed below. Make sure that you go through each of them carefully, and I am sure this information will help you in one way or another.
Personal Information Area
Your name, your address, and your phone number, everything that identifies you is written in this portion of the check.
Contact Information Of The Bank
Now comes the information of the bank. It is written on the bottom of the check, and it includes the name and the branch of the bank.
Routing Number Of The Bank
This is mentioned on the top right corner of the check, and it contains the routing number and the location of the bank.
Your Account Number
Forgot your account number? Don’t worry. Just see the bottom of the check, and you can always have it by your side.
The Check Number
The check number is present on the bottom right corner of the check, and it contains the serial number of the check.
The Endorsement Area
Don’t ever think that the back of the check isn’t that much important. The endorsement area is basically signed by the payee to make sure that he is the person receiving the check.
The Security Screen
The security screen is, although not as much important, still ensures the proper flow of the events that were made to pass the check.
Security Box
The security box contains the warning of changing a check. It is just a reminder that all thieves will be caught.
Tips & Tricks Of Writing A Check
I know that now you must say that you mastered the art of writing a check. But it doesn’t mean that I can’t tell you more. Challenge?
Here are a few things that you must know. These tips and tricks are done by professionals, and after reading these, you will also be one of them. Isn’t that great?
Write With A Permanent Pen
Always write with a permanent pen. Don’t even think about writing it with a pencil and deciding to change it afterward. It will only cause you pain.
The risk is that once you write it with something that could be erased, people can change the amount and the name of the person easily. And I’m sure that it will not be a good experience.
Don’t Leave Blank Places.
Never leave blank places. That’s the most fundamental thing. If you are writing a check, make sure that you are filing everything correctly and nothing is left.
If something is left to be fulfilled, the bank will not accept the check. And if you do leave something out, don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Write The Amount With No Space
Let’s come to the tricky part. When you are writing the amount, make sure that it covers all of the space. Why?
The world is greedy, and for you to play fair, you need to be innovative too. When you are writing the numbers, always start from the extreme left of the box. This will make sure that there is no space before the amount. And once you have written the amount, draw a line till the end of the box so no one can add a value after it.
How will it help you?
No one can make your 147.56 into 9147.56 or 147.5666. Your bank balance is now safe with you.
Checks With Carbon Copies
What happens when you forget that you made a check or what was the amount? You will stress out about it and will go frantic.
On the other hand, writing everything down on another paper is a whole different task. Let me save you some time and suggest to you something that you will surely like.
When you are getting your checkbook, try to choose those which provide carbon paper attached with it. That way, you will get a carbon copy of your check, and you can store it to remind you of all the payments you made.
Don’t Change Signatures.
Another thing that might help you is keeping the same signature. Once you fix your signature to be the same, it will be easy for you and the bank to recognize that it is your own signature, and there would be less mess. That’s for sure!
Are Personal Checks Secure?
This is the most pivotal question, and it will surely take you a long way. Checks are still widely used in the 21st century, and I’m sure that they will be used further too. But the question still prevails, are these safe and secure?
Well, checks are much safer to mail as it does not involve the risk of stealing and theft. On the other hand, the edge it has on electronic transfers is that a check is traceable and can be detected. The delayed deposit can help you recover the money in the bank if it is not complete at the moment.
The best part? The payee does not require a bank account. What benefit do you get?
You can give your grandchildren, and other kids checks and that can withdraw the money as per their wish. Isn’t that just delighting?
Now you know everything you needed to know about checks. What’s left? It’s to go and write a perfect foolproof check with no errors. And once you are doing everything right, you will surely use it again and again. And that’s a PROMISE!
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