Safety Tips for Writing a Personal Check
If you happen to be new to check writing, then pay careful attention. While you may not think of it as a difficult task, safe check writing is something that everybody absolutely needs to do right.
Use Ink Only
Always use ink; the use of pencil puts you at a huge risk of fraud. Using lead, or even erasable ink, makes it easy for a dishonest person to alter the amount on the check. It is necessary to use a form of ink to prevent others accessing your blank check. A permanent marker is actually much better to use than a regular pen. This is particularly important to stress, since there have been episodes where common people have engaged in "check washing," wherein criminals use chemicals to remove the ink from checks so as to alter them. You can avoid this scenario altogether if you use permanent marker.
Dating and Identifying
When you first glance over a check, it may strike you as extremely complicated. However, once you have all of the information, the blanks are easy to fill in. First, you need to fill out the current date on the check. A lot of people post date checks. Did you know it is illegal? Write the correct date on every check. Once this has been accomplished, be certain to clearly write the name of the recipient on the "pay to the order of" line. Be absolutely certain you've written their complete name.
Filling in the Amount
The most important article of information on the check, of course, is the dollar value that you are assigning to it. It is required to write the amount in two places. Put this information in the dollar amount line first. The line is titled Dollars and is located below the Pay to the order of line. When you write out the amount, write it out in full, including any cents. To prevent someone from changing your numbers, you must fill out this area of the check. Afterward, you will need to print the numbers in the box to the right.
Sign the Check Properly
Once you've filled out all other areas of the check, you'll need to place your signature on the check. When signing the check, it is important to remember that your signature shouldn't vary too greatly from how you normally sign checks or documents. It should resemble your driver's license signature for a reference if need be. If exceptional care is not taken in the signing process, then your bank could very well single the check out as a potential fraud, leaving you having to answer a barrage of irritating questions about a legitimate check. Due to ever increasing check fraud and forgery, banks pay close attention to signatures and make sure they match. Finally, you have the option of filling out the "info" section of the check. Just to keep their bookkeeping organized and efficient, most people like to note what the check is for. Generally, if you give out more information, you will be in better shape.
Overall, writing a check isn't a difficult thing. It isn't something that should be taken lightly, though. Take great care to fill out each part of the check as carefully as possible, so that there won't be any chance that your check is altered. This will save you a potential headache in the future.
Bill Gordon is a contributing author for many
check designer websites and has an extensive background in
ordering checks online and check writing safety issues.
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