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Accepting Checks by Phone

by qu4rk
17 replies
I've finally realized that I am in the dark ages by not accepting checks by phone. I'm looking for the resources to get me started. I have a couple of questions:

1) What is software that you guys use?
2) What paper do I need?
3) Can I print this with a standard laser printer?
4) Do you get some sort of authorization form or just say "give me them digits"?
5) Have you guys used these at any bank or are there only certain banks that you can use them at? I asked my bank & they said no dice. So, I'm willing to go bank shopping as soon as I get some clarity on this.

Thanks
#accepting #checks #phone
  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    Originally Posted by qu4rk View Post

    5) Have you guys used these at any bank or are there only certain banks that you can use them at? I asked my bank & they said no dice. So, I'm willing to go bank shopping as soon as I get some clarity on this.
    They said no because they have no idea what you're talking about. It's a check draft... if you're in the USA your bank accepts them. Don't ask, just deposit.

    As for the rest, do some searches, I've laid out the exact process in multiple threads on here.
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    Originally Posted by qu4rk View Post

    I've finally realized that I am in the dark ages by not accepting checks by phone. I'm looking for the resources to get me started. I have a couple of questions:

    1) What is software that you guys use?
    2) What paper do I need?
    3) Can I print this with a standard laser printer?
    4) Do you get some sort of authorization form or just say "give me them digits"?
    5) Have you guys used these at any bank or are there only certain banks that you can use them at? I asked my bank & they said no dice. So, I'm willing to go bank shopping as soon as I get some clarity on this.

    Thanks
    Actually, I'm feeling nice right now, so I'll answer it here again and save the link for when someone else asks this later on.

    1.) EZcheckprinting
    2.) Check stock... I order some on Quill.
    3.) I currently use a laser printer. You want to make sure you're using TONER though. You used to need special MICR ink but all banks have now upgraded to optical readers.
    4.) If you did e-checks then yeah you need authorization. You don't need it for check drafts though. You can say "Gimme dem numbas" or have them take a picture of the check with their smart phone and send it to you.
    5.) Answered that already.
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    • Profile picture of the author qu4rk
      Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

      Actually, I'm feeling nice right now, so I'll answer it here again and save the link for when someone else asks this later on.

      1.) EZcheckprinting
      2.) Check stock... I order some on Quill.
      3.) I currently use a laser printer. You want to make sure you're using TONER though. You used to need special MICR ink but all banks have now upgraded to optical readers.
      4.) If you did e-checks then yeah you need authorization. You don't need it for check drafts though. You can say "Gimme dem numbas" or have them take a picture of the check with their smart phone and send it to you.
      5.) Answered that already.
      Nice. Many thanks broski!

      Dumb question. I know banks do the taking a picture thing with mobile checks. Do you just get them to void the blank check & take a picture of that or do you get them to fill it out & send it via image?
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      • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
        Originally Posted by qu4rk View Post

        Nice. Many thanks broski!

        Dumb question. I know banks do the taking a picture thing with mobile checks. Do you just get them to void the blank check & take a picture of that or do you get them to fill it out & send it via image?
        Yeah just tell them to fill it out...the main thing is to get those digits. lol.
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        • Profile picture of the author qu4rk
          Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

          Yeah just tell them to fill it out...the main thing is to get those digits. lol.
          Thanks man. You're a wealth of knowledge

          1) What about the signature part? I remember that you put something about No Signature required, but can you give the exact wording?

          2) So did you ever do an authorization form, or the verbal is enough?
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          • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
            Originally Posted by qu4rk View Post

            Thanks man. You're a wealth of knowledge

            1) What about the signature part? I remember that you put something about No Signature required, but can you give the exact wording?

            2) So did you ever do an authorization form, or the verbal is enough?
            Verbal is usually enough, but if they send you a picture of a check, then you have proof they were okay with it. Or just a one line response in email will give you written record if your bank asks for verification proof (never happened to me).

            As for the signature:

            This check is authorized by your depositor.
            No Signature Required

            Put that in the sig line.
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            • Profile picture of the author SirThomas
              Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

              Verbal is usually enough, but if they send you a picture of a check, then you have proof they were okay with it. Or just a one line response in email will give you written record if your bank asks for verification proof (never happened to me).

              As for the signature:

              This check is authorized by your depositor.
              No Signature Required

              Put that in the sig line.
              Hi,

              Do you ask them to send you a picture of a blank check or fully filled with signature? Also, do you prefer them to send it as sms to your phone or just email with an attachment?
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              • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
                Originally Posted by SirThomas View Post

                Hi,

                Do you ask them to send you a picture of a blank check or fully filled with signature? Also, do you prefer them to send it as sms to your phone or just email with an attachment?
                I think you may be making it more difficult than it needs to be. You don't need any of that, really. The reason I mentioned it is that when you have them write out a check and take a picture of it, it makes many of them feel a certain level of confidence in comparison to just giving you the routing and account numbers.

                If you have them take a picture, SMS or email is fine. The main thing is, you just want the numbers so you can create your check draft.
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                • Profile picture of the author qu4rk
                  So, a big thanks to Nathan AKA iAmNameLess. I printed my first check today & walked in the bank & handed it to the teller. She looked at it briefly & took the deposit slip and started keying away...just like a regular check...so I guess it is a regular check.
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                  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
                    Originally Posted by qu4rk View Post

                    So, a big thanks to Nathan AKA iAmNameLess. I printed my first check today & walked in the bank & handed it to the teller. She looked at it briefly & took the deposit slip and started keying away...just like a regular check...so I guess it is a regular check.
                    Hahahahaha... yeah, if you ask them over the phone beforehand, they don't really know what they're talking about, they'll say no. You print it out, hand it in, it's usually not a problem. I never fill out a deposit slip though, I make them do that for me lol.

                    You edited your post, what kind of support question did you have for the software?
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                    • Profile picture of the author qu4rk
                      Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

                      Hahahahaha... yeah, if you ask them over the phone beforehand, they don't really know what they're talking about, they'll say no. You print it out, hand it in, it's usually not a problem. I never fill out a deposit slip though, I make them do that for me lol.

                      You edited your post, what kind of support question did you have for the software?
                      The question is: I bought the check stock that has 3 checks sheet & not 1 check plus 2 stubs per sheet. I can print a check on the top check & remove the stubs. But then, when I tear it off, I'm left with 2 blanks that I can't load regularly. So, I want to tear the remaining 2 checks into individual checks & manually feed each individual check into the printer. Do you know how to do that.
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                      • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
                        Originally Posted by qu4rk View Post

                        The question is: I bought the check stock that has 3 checks sheet & not 1 check plus 2 stubs per sheet. I can print a check on the top check & remove the stubs. But then, when I tear it off, I'm left with 2 blanks that I can't load regularly. So, I want to tear the remaining 2 checks into individual checks & manually feed each individual check into the printer. Do you know how to do that.
                        Well couldn't you just go in and edit the stub layout and turn off the "visible" option?

                        Or are you asking how to feed a check into your printer, individually?
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                        • Profile picture of the author qu4rk
                          Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

                          Or are you asking how to feed a check into your printer, individually?
                          Yes, how do I feed them in individually. I know how to physically feed them into the printer. I just don't know how to do that on the software. It seems like it would have something to do with the paper size, but I have no clue.
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                          • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
                            Originally Posted by qu4rk View Post

                            Yes, how do I feed them in individually. I know how to physically feed them into the printer. I just don't know how to do that on the software. It seems like it would have something to do with the paper size, but I have no clue.
                            I use single page checks, so I'm not 100%. If I were you I would just put in a few of your checks, manually feed, but make all the options under stub setup as "not visible". It'll send the other 2 checks (in theory) through the printer but not print anything, so it's just like not having a stub.
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                            • Profile picture of the author fitzpatg
                              Does anyone know if this method is available in Canada? If so, which banks?
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  • Profile picture of the author tryinhere
    Silly question ? can not people just pay with a card over the phone or just do a direct deposit straight into your account? never heard of this cheque thing, sounds a very complicated way to take money. A USA thing only ?
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    | > Choosing to go off the grid for a while to focus on family, work and life in general. Have a great 2020 < |
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    • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
      Originally Posted by tryinhere View Post

      Silly question ? can not people just pay with a card over the phone or just do a direct deposit straight into your account? never heard of this cheque thing, sounds a very complicated way to take money. A USA thing only ?
      Lots of people don't have good enough credit to get a merchant account.

      Also, IMO there are lots of reasons NOT to accept one...even when you can.

      It's literally as easy to take check numbers as it is to take CC numbers.

      All the pics, fax, signature, etc is just to cover your ass...but it's not needed,
      although nice to have for record keeping ... and court.

      USA can take checks that way from Canada and Mexico... I don't know about anywhere else.
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      Selling Ain't for Sissies!
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