Check Writing Check Writing InformationInformation

By: By: Ms. Mary RobertsMs. Mary Roberts

CHECK WRITING TIPSCHECK WRITING TIPS USE BLUE OR BLACK INK PEN ONLY. USE BLUE OR BLACK INK PEN ONLY.

BECAUSE THEY ARE PROFESSIONAL BECAUSE THEY ARE PROFESSIONAL COLORS. DO NOT USE A PENCIL! COLORS. DO NOT USE A PENCIL! BECAUSE IT CAN BE ERASED.BECAUSE IT CAN BE ERASED.

WRITE IN CURSIVE, DO NOT PRINT.WRITE IN CURSIVE, DO NOT PRINT. NEVER SIGN ALL YOUR CHECKS AT ONE NEVER SIGN ALL YOUR CHECKS AT ONE

TIME. SIGN YOUR CHECK LAST.TIME. SIGN YOUR CHECK LAST. IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE ON YOUR CHECK, IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE ON YOUR CHECK,

TEAR IT UP, OR WRITE “VOID” ON IT.TEAR IT UP, OR WRITE “VOID” ON IT.

PARTS OF A CHECKPARTS OF A CHECK PERSONAL INFORMATION- LOCATED IN PERSONAL INFORMATION- LOCATED IN

THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF THE CHECK. THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF THE CHECK. DATE- RIGHT SIDE OF THE CHECK.DATE- RIGHT SIDE OF THE CHECK. PAYEE- THE PERSON OR COMPANY PAYEE- THE PERSON OR COMPANY

THAT THE CHECK IS BEING WRITTEN THAT THE CHECK IS BEING WRITTEN TO. Name goes in the “Pay to the TO. Name goes in the “Pay to the Order of” section.Order of” section.

FINACIAL INSTITUTION- Bank or credit FINACIAL INSTITUTION- Bank or credit union or place that holds your money.union or place that holds your money.

Notes continuedNotes continued Numbers at the bottom: 1Numbers at the bottom: 1stst set- set-

routing number- identifies the routing number- identifies the financial institution; 2financial institution; 2ndnd set- account set- account number- identifies the account; last number- identifies the account; last set of numbers is the check number.set of numbers is the check number.

When writing a numerical check When writing a numerical check amount, start as close to the dollar amount, start as close to the dollar sign as possible to prevent someone sign as possible to prevent someone from inserting an additional number.from inserting an additional number.

When writing the check amount in When writing the check amount in words…words…

Start at the far left of the space Start at the far left of the space allotted for the purpose and capitalize allotted for the purpose and capitalize only the first letter,only the first letter,

Hyphenate all numbers from twenty-Hyphenate all numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine,one to ninety-nine,

Use the word “and” between the Use the word “and” between the dollar and the cent amount, dollar and the cent amount,

Following the cent amount, draw a line Following the cent amount, draw a line all the way to the right of the space.all the way to the right of the space.

Notes continuedNotes continued Make sure the dollar amounts agree in both Make sure the dollar amounts agree in both

fields of the check. If there is a discrepancy, fields of the check. If there is a discrepancy, many banks will favor the numerical amount many banks will favor the numerical amount written over the words.written over the words.

If writing a check to an individual who works If writing a check to an individual who works at a company, always include the person’s at a company, always include the person’s title or the name of the company such that title or the name of the company such that the person can’t easily deposit the check the person can’t easily deposit the check into his or her own account.into his or her own account.

If you make a mistake when writing a check, If you make a mistake when writing a check, do not correct it. Rather, write “void” on the do not correct it. Rather, write “void” on the check and either file it or destroy it. check and either file it or destroy it.

More Tips…More Tips… Fill in all the spaces on the check. This way, Fill in all the spaces on the check. This way,

no one can add information that you may no one can add information that you may have left blank.have left blank.

Always keep your personal identification Always keep your personal identification separate from your checks. If someone finds separate from your checks. If someone finds a check that was written to you and your a check that was written to you and your identification, they can cash your check.identification, they can cash your check.

Never pre-sign a black check. Your signature Never pre-sign a black check. Your signature is authorization to pay the check. is authorization to pay the check.

Report any lost or stolen checks to the bank Report any lost or stolen checks to the bank immediately. If they know, they won’t cash immediately. If they know, they won’t cash them.them.

Twice as nice… on a checkTwice as nice… on a check

Things written twice on a check & Things written twice on a check & location: location:

1.1. Check number- located in the top right Check number- located in the top right and on the bottomand on the bottom

2.2. Name- in identification section in the Name- in identification section in the top left corner and on the signature top left corner and on the signature lineline

3.3. Amount- written in word form and in Amount- written in word form and in number form.number form.