Accessed Jan. 11, 2020. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The check is now ready to be deposited by your designated third party. Janet Berry-Johnson is a CPA with 10 years of experience in public accounting and writes about income taxes and small business accounting for companies such as Forbes and Credit Karma. Endorsing a check to someone involves taking a check that has been made out to you and giving permission to someone else to cash; this is also known as signing over a check. Your account will go negative, or the funds will be taken from your balance if it's a bad check. See you back here soon! "Third Party Sign Over?" If your bank doesn't have a branch or ATM where you are, or it's inconvenient for you to get there, these two options might make your life easier: If your bank doesn’t offer mobile deposit, or you’re looking for an inexpensive solution, prepaid debit cards might meet your needs. "Understand the Fees You Will Pay." Start by flipping the check over to find the endorsement line. But you should remember that the bank has no legal obligation to accept the check. When you endorse a check, you sign the back of it to verify that the amount is correct. It is a good idea to accompany the third party to the bank when the check is deposited to provide proof of identification. To speak to a customer service representative, call (800) 480-2265, daily 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Jim Oct 28 '15 at 2:41 This … 3  Accessed Jan. 11, 2020. This could be another person, group of people, or a company. You’ll need to designate who you’d like to sign your check over to. On the back of the check there will be a square box located at one end; in that box write, "Pay to the order of," followed by the designated person's name. Note that the process is the same regardless of whether you’re signing over a personal check, business check, insurance check, or another type. It does not have to be an emergency or any special type of situation. Check with your bank or the bank that issued the check to see if you have a document that they’ll accept as ID. In the situation you describe, you have been asked to sign for someone else and would be doing so only to assist that person. The reason you endorse a check is to either deposit it or to sign it over to someone else. Instructions and Problems With Signing a Check Over, There's More Than One Way to Endorse a Check, These Banks Have the Best Checking Accounts, 6 Services Your Internet Bank Doesn't Offer (But Bank Branches Do), Everything You Need to Know About Cashier's Checks. We contacted branches of various banks in New York, Florida, Texas, and California to confirm this information. We’re ready to help in person, online or on the phone. A check written specifically to you is a simple matter to cash. Usually, when you deposit a check, you first need to sign the back of it. Don't staple, bend or … (Bring ID, of course.). Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. It can take days or weeks for your bank to find out that a check was bogus, so don’t hand over cash unless you really trust the person you're helping.. Kmart. Likewise, someone else can only cash your check if you sign it over to them. Most checks give you a space on the back for your endorsement. Huntington® Relationship Money Market Account. However, BoA have said that they will not allow my friend to deposit a signed-over check unless his account is owned by both of us. The Huntington National Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. He covers banking and loans and has nearly two decades of experience writing about personal finance. We value your opinion. Only the person you designate will be able to cash or deposit the check. "How to Sign/Endorse a Check Over to Someone Else." Instead of just signing your name on the back of the check as you would when chasing the check yourself, you’ll need to include information about the person to whom you’re signing it over. It is a simple process involving one or two phone calls and a trip to the bank. The strategies here might be slower than endorsing a check to someone else, but at least you can be confident that they’ll work. This signals to the bank that you are endorsing the transfer of ownership for the check. Endorsement Of A Check. Accessed Jan. 9, 2020. Plan Before Endorsing a Check to Someone Else. You can protect yourself from accusations of forgery when signing someone else's check by obtaining written authorization from that person. If you don't have a bank account or any other way to handle checks, open an account. How to Endorse Your Check So Someone Else May Cash It. Accessed Feb. 6, 2020. Ask before you endorse: If you insist on signing a check over to somebody else, have them check with their bank before you endorse the check. A check is a piece of paper that instructs a bank or credit union to pay a specific sum of money to a particular person, company, or organization. The payee's signature creates a blank endorsement, allowing anyone holding the check to cash it. It is very important that both involved parties agree when moving through the process. Check with the bank that is going to handle the check to see if it takes checks that are signed over. Now what? How to Sign/Endorse a Check Over to Someone Else 1. Have the third party (the … In this video, I show you how to endorse a check to someone else. This shows how you must sign your name on the back of the check to sign it over to a third party. How Quickly Can I Get My Money After I Deposit a Check Into My Checking Account? If you want to get someone cash but you have not cashed that check yet, then there is a way you can cut out the middle man and just sign the check over to another party. Adding Restrictions to Your Endorsement Write "For Deposit Only" on the top endorsement line. When they cash it they’ll sign their name underneath and give it to their bank. Just be wary of high-fee cards; prepaid providers are required to disclose all fees to you before you purchase a card.. All checks have an "endorsement area" which is the back of the check, usually with the check held vertically with the left hand side of the front upwards. After your visit, would you be willing to provide some quick feedback? You should sign your name exactly the same way it is written on the front of the check. Find out if it’s allowed and what the requirements are. The recipient is known as the payee. There are several ways to get free checking accounts, especially at local credit unions and online banks. Investment, Insurance and Non-deposit Trust products are: NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT FDIC INSURED • NOT GUARANTEED BY THE BANK • NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY • MAY LOSE VALUE. "How Quickly Can I Get My Money After I Deposit a Check Into My Checking Account? Citizens Bank. It may be indicated as such but is not necessary. Things might go more smoothly if you go to the bank with the person depositing the check so the bank has more confidence that nothing fishy is going on. ET. Huntington. Who Signs a Check Made Payable to Multiple People? This is called a “special endorsement”, and the person you’re paying is called the “endorsee”. Please enable JavaScript. Unfortunately, if you cash a check for somebody else and the check is bad, your bank will not reimburse you. You are risking your own money and your good standing at the bank if you agree. Do not have the third party sign the check until it is deposited or cashed. Mail the voided Treasury check immediately to the appropriate IRS location for your state. treated with a varying degree of seriousness if you sign for someone else You can try to collect funds from your friend, but this is often difficult. This seems odd to me, as surely then there wouldn't be a need to sign over the check, but that's what BoA have said. How to Spot and Protect Yourself Against Money Scams. Check With The Bank. What Do I Need to Know About the Information on the Back of My Checks? "CO-OP Shared Branch." Sign the check over Write your account number below your signature. "How to Spot, Report and Avoid Fake Check Scams." When Should You Use Western Union for Payments? Understanding how to properly endorse a check will create a smoother and more positive experience when signing over a check to someone else. Signing a check over to somebody is not an ideal solution, and sometimes it’s simply not an option. Unfortunately, the risk is often too great for them to accept. Step 1 Coordinate with someone who has agreed to have the check signed over. They can’t verify your identity or your signature—they just have to take the third party’s word for it. What Is a Deposit Hold? You are not intending to defraud anyone nor are you doing so. You don't want to add extra signatures and names to the back of the check (which will create confusion and delays at the next place you try to cash the check). If it’s simply not an option to open a bank account, you could try a check-cashing service, but those fees are typically quite high. Several retail stores have been known to cash checks for free, especially tax refund checks.. What Is a Deposit Hold?" A check that is signed over to someone other than the original payee is commonly known as a third-party check. The bottom line is that it’s entirely possible to sign a check over to someone else. "Client Manual Consumer Accounts," Page 32. To sign a check over to somebody else or to a business, verify that a bank will accept the check, then endorse the back of the check by signing it. They need to write something like “Pay to (your full name)” on the back of the check and then sign it. However, it’s best to call your bank, explain your situation, and see what your options are. © 2021 Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. That person would then deposit into their account or get cash. A third-party check is a personal or business check that is signed over as payment to another person. Accessed Jan. 11, 2020. Justin Pritchard, CFP, is a fee-only advisor in Colorado. Confirm the Person/Entity Will Accept a Signed-Over Check. It'll only take a minute. Typically, writing a check isn’t enough to get cash out of account. Thank you! When you receive a check and sign it over to someone else, you are creating a third-party check. This should be confirmed before the check is endorsed to avoid causing confusion with multiple signatures. Banks are essentially giving your money to somebody else when you use this approach. Once you turn your check over… Please contact your Company Administrator to reset your password if you continue having problems logging in. You can try to sign a check over to somebody else, effectively paying that person with the check you received. This mistake can be interpreted as check fraud. A legally significant document is one that affects legal rights and/or duties, a definition that certainly includes the lease in question. What Changes When Someone is Claimed as a Dependent? Because the check is currently payable to you, you’ll need to ensure that the third party and their bank can accept a signed-over check, also known as a “third-party check,” and endorse the check by signing the back of it. 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