How to Verify Funds Before Cashing a Check

Checking to see whether funds are available before cashing a check can often help you avoid overdraft fees and other charges associated with insufficient checks that bounce. You can verify whether funds are available by contacting the payer’s bank, or using a check verification service that can research the payer’s financial history.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Contacting the Payer’s Bank

Download Article

The bank’s name is printed on the front of the check, and is often found below the check amount or at the top of the check.
2
Find the bank’s contact information. Verifying funds for a check requires you to call the bank directly, or visit a branch in person.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Use the Internet or a telephone directory to find the bank’s contact information, instead of relying on contact information printed on the check. This helps you avoid contacting an illegitimate party claiming to be a bank in the event the check is counterfeit.
Advertisement
Some banks can verify funds over the telephone, whereas others require you to visit a branch in person. For example, Wells Fargo and Chase allow you to verify funds over the phone, while Citibank and Bank of America require you to verify funds in person.
Policies vary for each bank and financial institution, and some require you to pay a fee to verify funds.^{[2]XResearch source}
In most cases, you’ll be asked to provide the payer’s name, account number, and the amount of the check.^{[3]XResearch source}
Due to rules and regulations concerning privacy, most banks can only tell you whether funds are available, but cannot reveal any other account information, such as the amount of funds available, or whether other transactions are pending.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using a Check Verification Service

Download Article

1
Sign up for a third-party check verification service. Check verification services can’t necessarily confirm whether funds are available, but can determine whether you’re at risk for cashing a bad check based on the payer’s financial history. Examples of reputable check verification services are ChexSystems, CrossCheck, and Certegy.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Ask your bank for recommendations on reputable check verification services if you need help choosing a service.
This often includes the payer’s name, address, and financial institution.
Most check verification services can confirm whether the payer’s bank account is valid, whether the payer has a history of writing bad checks, and whether an account is open and has funds available.
A great verification service will recommend whether or not you should move forward with cashing a check based on the payer’s financial history.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Understand that verifying funds before cashing a check doesn’t guarantee that funds will be available at the time the check is processed. For example, if the payer’s bank confirms that funds are available, but the account holder goes shopping later that day and spends the remaining balance, the check can still bounce.
Thanks
Helpful1 Not Helpful1