In addition, banks establish certain verification and identification procedures to safeguard against losses. (See our page on funds availability for more information). Banks are protected from some risks by a federal regulation that allows time for a check to clear before a customer is allowed to access the check's funds. We may find our checking account becomes overdrawn or we may receive a check that 'bounces.' Depository institutions must also deal with check problems, including fraud and losses from bounced checks. Sometimes we encounter problems when we write or receive checks. List the voided check in your register to help in later reconciling your account.

If you make a mistake, void the check and start a new one.

Be sure the numerical and written check amounts match exactly.

Start at the far left when writing in the amount of your check longhand – and when you’ve finished writing in the amount, draw a line through any remaining blank space so it cannot be filled in later.

Fill in all the information on your check clearly and legibly, including your signature (scrawls can be easier to forge).

Use an ink pen so your check’s information cannot be easily altered.

You can avoid a risk of later forgery by following these suggestions: Your checks serve as a personal form of money. Copies of relevant statutes may be found either on this website or on-line at the Connecticut General Assembly.Ĭhecks are written orders that we use to tell our bank or other depository institutions to pay money or to transfer funds from our account to a check-holder.

Read your deposit account agreement carefully as it relates to such issues.Īll references on this page are to sections and titles of the Connecticut General Statutes, unless otherwise noted.

Some bank deposit account agreements may therefore override UCC provisions described below. It's important to note that the UCC allows certain provisions to be varied by agreement. The Department of Banking does not have legal authority to administer or enforce these statutes. The statutes governing the negotiability, deposit and collection of checks, including signature and endorsement requirements and provisions concerning forged checks, are found in Articles 3 and 4 of Title 42a of the General Statutes, the Uniform Commercial Code ('UCC'). These summaries do not, however, represent a complete statement of the law. We've summarized certain key legal points within the text for your benefit. Please note: This page provides information on checks, including issues that consumers have raised with the Department of Banking in the past.

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