How to Void a Check

I was talking with my wonderful niece and discovered/realized many people her age (early 20s) don’t know how to void a check. I recently had to do that when signing on with a new freelance client and setting up the glory that is direct deposit. They needed a voided check. And didn’t have a checkbook for the account (it was new, set up for business purposes). So here’s two ways to get a voided check.

Option 1

If you have a checkbook, it is really simple. In giant letters, with a pen or Sharpie, write “VOID” across the check. There, you’ve done it. This check can now never be used for anything else.

Option 2

At the bank, you can simply ask for a voided check for your account. My bank prints four checks at a time, so I had them void only the one. Now if I need it, I have three checks for that account that I will likely never use.

Why do places still require voided checks? Who knows. It is so old fashioned. Like having to announce your name change in a newspaper.

illustration: Peter Newell, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll