1. Check Writing Information By: Ms. Mary Roberts

2. CHECK WRITING TIPS USE BLUE OR BLACK INK PEN ONLY. BECAUSE THEY ARE PROFESSIONAL COLORS. DO NOT USE A PENCIL! BECAUSE IT CAN BE ERASED. USE BLUE OR BLACK INK PEN ONLY. BECAUSE THEY ARE PROFESSIONAL COLORS. DO NOT USE A PENCIL! BECAUSE IT CAN BE ERASED. WRITE IN CURSIVE, DO NOT PRINT. WRITE IN CURSIVE, DO NOT PRINT. NEVER SIGN ALL YOUR CHECKS AT ONE TIME. SIGN YOUR CHECK LAST. NEVER SIGN ALL YOUR CHECKS AT ONE TIME. SIGN YOUR CHECK LAST. IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE ON YOUR CHECK, TEAR IT UP, OR WRITE “VOID” ON IT. IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE ON YOUR CHECK, TEAR IT UP, OR WRITE “VOID” ON IT.

3. PARTS OF A CHECK PERSONAL INFORMATION- LOCATED IN THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF THE CHECK. PERSONAL INFORMATION- LOCATED IN THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF THE CHECK. DATE- RIGHT SIDE OF THE CHECK. DATE- RIGHT SIDE OF THE CHECK. PAYEE- THE PERSON OR COMPANY THAT THE CHECK IS BEING WRITTEN TO. Name goes in the “Pay to the Order of” section. PAYEE- THE PERSON OR COMPANY THAT THE CHECK IS BEING WRITTEN TO. Name goes in the “Pay to the Order of” section. FINACIAL INSTITUTION- Bank or credit union or place that holds your money. FINACIAL INSTITUTION- Bank or credit union or place that holds your money.

4. Notes continued Numbers at the bottom: 1 st set- routing number- identifies the financial institution; 2 nd set- account number- identifies the account; last set of numbers is the check number. Numbers at the bottom: 1 st set- routing number- identifies the financial institution; 2 nd set- account number- identifies the account; last set of numbers is the check number. When writing a numerical check amount, start as close to the dollar sign as possible to prevent someone from inserting an additional number. When writing a numerical check amount, start as close to the dollar sign as possible to prevent someone from inserting an additional number.

5. When writing the check amount in words… Start at the far left of the space allotted for the purpose and capitalize only the first letter, Start at the far left of the space allotted for the purpose and capitalize only the first letter, Hyphenate all numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine, Hyphenate all numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine, Use the word “and” between the dollar and the cent amount, Use the word “and” between the dollar and the cent amount, Following the cent amount, draw a line all the way to the right of the space. Following the cent amount, draw a line all the way to the right of the space.

6. Notes continued Make sure the dollar amounts agree in both fields of the check. If there is a discrepancy, many banks will favor the numerical amount written over the words. Make sure the dollar amounts agree in both fields of the check. If there is a discrepancy, many banks will favor the numerical amount written over the words. If writing a check to an individual who works at a company, always include the person’s title or the name of the company such that the person can’t easily deposit the check into his or her own account. If writing a check to an individual who works at a company, always include the person’s title or the name of the company such that the person can’t easily deposit the check into his or her own account. If you make a mistake when writing a check, do not correct it. Rather, write “void” on the check and either file it or destroy it. If you make a mistake when writing a check, do not correct it. Rather, write “void” on the check and either file it or destroy it.

7. More Tips… Fill in all the spaces on the check. This way, no one can add information that you may have left blank. Fill in all the spaces on the check. This way, no one can add information that you may have left blank. Always keep your personal identification separate from your checks. If someone finds a check that was written to you and your identification, they can cash your check. Always keep your personal identification separate from your checks. If someone finds a check that was written to you and your identification, they can cash your check. Never pre-sign a black check. Your signature is authorization to pay the check. Never pre-sign a black check. Your signature is authorization to pay the check. Report any lost or stolen checks to the bank immediately. If they know, they won’t cash them. Report any lost or stolen checks to the bank immediately. If they know, they won’t cash them.

8. Twice as nice… on a check Things written twice on a check & location: Things written twice on a check & location: 1. Check number- located in the top right and on the bottom 2. Name- in identification section in the top left corner and on the signature line 3. Amount- written in word form and in number form.