Check Deposit
Sign your check. Open the app and tap Deposit in the quick-action menu at the bottom of the Welcome screen, then Deposit a check. Choose an account and enter the amount of the check. Take pictures of. Review and deposit. Review the information and then submit by tapping 'Deposit'. You can check the status of the deposit in the app, and you'll receive an email when it is complete. When you receive a check, you need to deposit the funds so you can use the money or keep it safely in your bank account. Until then, it’s just a piece of paper.
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Of course, the offers on our platform don't represent all financial products out there, but our goal is to show you as many great options as we can.
It takes just a few simple steps to deposit your check at your bank branch or credit union, an ATM, or via your mobile device.
Been handed a check and you’re not sure what to do with it? You can transform that little piece of paper into spending money by either cashing your check or depositing it into a bank account.
If you’d prefer to deposit the funds into a bank account, you’ve got a few options depending on the options available from your bank or credit union. You can go the more traditional route: visiting a physical bank or credit union branch, or stopping by an ATM. Or if you’d rather avoid the extra errand, you may be able to use a mobile banking app on your smartphone or tablet to deposit your check electronically.
Can I deposit part of my check and cash the rest?
Check Deposit App
Yes, as long as your bank or credit union allows it. When you deposit your check, you can ask your teller to give you cash for part of the check amount and deposit the rest.
At the bank
When you deposit a check in person, you’ll be required to endorse the check, which means signing it. It’s pretty simple: On the back of the check, you’ll find two gray lines with a note saying something like “endorse here.” Sign the check on the top line after you’ve arrived at the bank.
In order to complete the transaction, your teller will make sure the check is written out correctly, and may request to see your identification. You’ll also need to provide the account number or account information for the account you want to deposit the check to.
The whole transaction shouldn’t take more than a few minutes, but you’ll have to complete it during banking hours, which often exclude evenings and weekends. You may also want to plan for a possible wait time at the bank.
Once your transaction is complete, typically allow up to two business days before expecting the funds to be available in your account. A portion or all of your check, up to $200, may be funded by the next business day.
Why does the bank place deposits on hold?
A deposit hold is a period of time, usually around two business days, when the bank holds the funds you deposited by check. This delay may seem unnecessary, but it can actually help you. It helps prevent you from spending the money and then having to repay that money if the check turns out to be fraudulent or had to be returned.
At an ATM
Depending on your bank or credit union, and the type of ATM, you may be able to deposit your check at an ATM. Just like when you visit a branch, you’ll need to start at an ATM by endorsing the back of the check.
Then you can use your bank-issued debit card to access your account info, follow the prompts for a check deposit, and submit your check directly into the designated slot.
Unlike visiting a bank branch, you can deposit a check into any ATM at any time, as long as the ATM accepts checks. Just like when visiting your branch though, you may still have to wait around two business days before having access to all the funds depending on the amount of the check. In fact, it may take even longer if you deposit the check at an ATM your bank or credit union doesn’t own.
For that reason, it can be beneficial to visit an ATM owned by your bank. Staying in your bank’s network can also be a better choice because it may save you money on ATM fees.
With your mobile device
If you’ve got a smartphone or a tablet, and your bank offers the option, you can deposit a check using your mobile banking app, nearly any time and any place. Start by logging into the app, locating the deposit option, and choosing which account you want to deposit the check into.
You’ll probably be asked to take a photo of both sides of your check. If you’re not successful at using the camera right away, helpful hints may pop up on the screen or you may have access to a chat assistant. You may find it easier if you follow these tips.
- Take the photo in a well-lit area
- Place the check on top of a contrasting (dark) surface
- Make sure all four corners of the check can be seen in the frame
Once you’ve taken the photos, be sure to follow any further instructions to complete the deposit. Then review your account activity to make sure the deposited check appears.
Banks may have different time frames for processing mobile deposits — some can be completed as quickly as one business day. But even if the funds from your deposit become available right away, you’ll want to keep the actual paper check for 30 days in case any issues arise with processing. Some banks recommend destroying the check after that.
Bottom line
Regardless of how you choose to deposit your check, be sure to do it right away. There’s no strict rule about when checks expire, but many banks won’t accept a check that’s more than six months past its given date. Plus the longer a check is sitting around, the more likely it could be lost or stolen.
For payments you receive regularly, like your paycheck or other regular check disbursements, consider setting up direct deposit. This paperless option automatically deposits your payments into your account, freeing you up from having to deposit the check yourself. As an added bonus, many banks make payroll funds deposited by direct deposit available immediately.
Related Articles
In a fake check scam, a person you don’t know asks you to deposit a check— sometimes for several thousand dollars, and usually for more than you are owed — and send some of the money to another person. The scammers always have a good story to explain why you can’t keep all the money. They might say they need you to cover taxes or fees, you’ll need to buy supplies, or something else.
Fake checks come in many forms. They might look like business or personal checks, cashier’s checks, money orders, or a check delivered electronically. Here’s what you need to know about fake check scams.
Types of Fake Checks Scams
Fake checks are used in many types of scams. Here are some examples:
- Mystery shopping. Scammers pretend to hire people as mystery shoppers and tell them their first assignment is to evaluate a retailer that sells gift cards, money orders, or a money transfer service, like Western Union or MoneyGram. The shopper gets a check with instructions to deposit it in a personal bank account and wire it to someone else. But once the money is wired, the person on the other end can disappear.
- Personal assistants. People apply online and get hired as personal assistants. They get a check and are told to use the money to buy gift cards or to buy equipment or supplies for their new client. Once the scammers get the gift card PIN numbers, they use them instantly, leaving the “personal assistant” without the money when the bank figures out the check is bad.
- Car wrap decals. People interested in car wrap advertising are told to deposit checks and send money to decal installers — who don’t exist.
- Claiming prizes. Sweepstakes “winners” are given checks and told to send money to cover taxes, shipping and handling charges, or processing fees. But that’s not how legitimate sweepstakes work.
- Overpayments.People buying something from you online “accidentally” send a check for too much and ask you to refund the balance.
Why Do These Scams Work?
These scams work because fake checks generally look just like real checks, even to bank employees. They are often printed with the names and addresses of legitimate financial institutions. They may even be real checks written on bank accounts that belong to identity theft victims. It can take weeks for a bank to figure out that the check is a fake.
Fake Checks and Your Bank
By law, banks have to make deposited funds available quickly, usually within two days. When the funds are made available in your account, the bank may say the check has “cleared,” but that doesn’t mean it’s a good check. Fake checks can take weeks to be discovered and untangled. By that time, the scammer has any money you sent, and you’re stuck paying the money back to the bank.
Your best bet: Don’t rely on money from a check unless you know and trust the person you’re dealing with.
How to Avoid a Fake Check Scam
- Never use money from a check to send gift cards, money orders, or wire money to strangers or someone you just met. Many scammers demand that you send money through money transfer services like Western Union or MoneyGram, or buy gift cards and send them the PIN numbers. Once you wire money, or give someone the gift card PINs, it is like giving someone cash. It’s almost impossible to get it back.
- Toss offers that ask you to pay for a prize. If it’s free, you shouldn’t have to pay to get it.
- Don’t accept a check for more than the selling price. You can bet it’s a scam.
What to Do If You Sent Money to a Scammer
Gift cards are for gifts, not payments. Anyone who demands payment by gift card is always a scammer. If you paid a scammer with a gift card, tell the company that issued the card right away. When you contact the company, tell them the gift card was used in a scam. Ask them if they can refund your money. If you act quickly enough, the company might be able to get your money back. Also, tell the store where you bought the gift card as soon as possible.
Here is a list of gift cards that scammers often use — with information to help report a scam. If the card you used is not on this list, you might find the gift card company’s contact information on the card itself, or you might need to do some research online.
Check Deposit Atm
If you wired money to a scammer, call the money transfer company immediately to report the fraud and file a complaint. You can reach the complaint department of MoneyGram at 1-800-MONEYGRAM (1-800-666-3947) or Western Union at 1-800-325-6000. Ask for the money transfer to be reversed. It’s unlikely to happen, but it’s important to ask.
If you paid a scammer with a money order, contact the company that issued the money order right away to see if you can stop payment. Also, try to stop delivery of the money order: if you sent it by U.S. mail, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455. Otherwise, contact whatever delivery service you used as soon as possible.
Where to Report Fraud
Deposit Check To Card Online
If you think you’ve been targeted by a fake check scam, report it to:
- The Federal Trade Commission
- The U.S. Postal Inspection Service
- Your state Attorney General