Writing Checks Basic

Just because you have checks does not mean you have money to spend.  Your checks are no good without money in your account.  It is much safer and more convenient to send checks through the mail to pay bills because only the person or business whose name is on the check can cash it.  And when you pay bills with checks, you have a record showing when and how much you paid.  Having a checking account is also a very important first step in building a good banking relationship.  A positive banking history may help you get a loan.  You should always write your checks in ink to keep others from changing what you wrote. If you make mistake, there are ways to correct it. When you order your check while opening an account, the customer service representative will ask you what information you would like printed on your check. It's a good idea to include your name, address and phone number on every check. However, you should not have your Social Security Number or Driver's License Number printed on your checks. That could lead to identity theft.

When writing a check, be sure to complete the following areas:
1. Date : Write the date.

2. Pay to the Order of : Write the name of the person or company to whom you will give the check. After writing the name, you can draw a line to the end. This prevents anyone from adding an additional name on your check.

3. Write the amount of the check in numbers, such as $19.75.

4. Dollars : Write the amount of the check in words, such as nineteen and 75/100. After writing out the amount of the check, draw a line to the end. This prevents anyone from adding an additional amount after what you have written.

5. Memo : This section is optional. You can use this area to remind yourself why you wrote the check or to record the account number of the bill you are paying.

6. Signature line : Sign your name.

Endorse your check The final step in making a deposit is handing everything over to the bank teller for processing.  And this is important to remember: Before giving the deposit to the bank teller, you must endorse the check, or checks, you are depositing. Endorsing means signing your name on the back of each check you are depositing.

How to fill out a deposit ticket If you have more items to deposit than fit in the spaces provided on a deposit slip, you should turn it over.  On the reverse side of your deposit slip there are many more spaces to write in extra deposits. The front of your deposit slip has a place for you to put the total amount from the items you've written on the reverse side.

How to fill out a deposit ticket when you want to “less cash” deposit Okay, let's fill out a deposit slip to deposit your paycheck: 625 dollars and 50 cents is your check amount.  You start by deciding if you want to deposit the entire amount or put some of the money in your amount and get some back in cash.  This is called a "less-cash" deposit. "Less cash received" is the term banks use when you want to get cash back from your deposit. If

you're getting cash back, you will need to sign the deposit slip.