How To Endorse & Deposit Someone Else's Check › Greater Texas Credit Union (2024)

FAQs

How do you deposit someone else's check and endorse it? ›

In general, this involves the person writing your name on the back and signing the check. Every check has a specified area on it where the payee can write their name or other information. Typically, this involves writing the phrase "Pay to the order of: Your Name" and signing their name underneath your check.

Writing For Deposit Only in the endorsem*nt box above your signature is called a restrictive endorsem*nt. This is a more secure way to endorse checks since it ensures that the check can only be deposited into an account bearing the payee's name. You also cannot cash the check or take a portion of the amount in cash.

Write "For Deposit Only" on the top endorsem*nt line.

This restrictive endorsem*nt ensures that the check's funds can only be deposited in a bank account in your name. If someone finds your check, they won't be able to do anything with it.

A direct bank-to-bank payment, called an Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfer, allows you to send money from your checking or savings account to someone else's account, even if it's at a different bank. This is the same technology used when employers send paychecks via direct deposit, or if you use online bill pay.

Some banks and credit unions allow a mobile deposit of someone else's check (known as a third-party check), while others prohibit it (including Bank of America and U.S. Bank).

You need the payee of the check to endorse the check to you. Most banks don't like to cash checks like this because they have no way of verifying the signature of the payee. You can try a check cashing service, but you will likely have the same problem.

Some banks require you to write "Pay to the order of [person's first and last name]" under your signature, and others only require the person who is depositing it to sign their name under yours. 1 Next, provide the check to that person so they can deposit or cash the check.

A blank endorsem*nt is a document such as a check that is signed but has no designated payee. It is risky since anyone can cash it.

A blank endorsem*nt is the least secure way of endorsing a check but it's also the most common. Sign your name on the back of the check and tell the bank teller whether you want to deposit it to a particular account or cash it. 5 You can also use a blank endorsem*nt when you deposit a check in an ATM.

Steps to deposit a check for someone else

If you're depositing a check in someone else's name into your account: That person needs to endorse the check to allow you to deposit it. Generally, the person should write “Pay to the order of [Your Name]” on the back of the check and then sign it.

What is the most secure way to endorse a check? ›

For Deposit Only—Restrictive Endorsem*nt

The most secure way to endorse a check is to: Write: For Deposit Only to Account Number XXXXXXXXXX. Sign your name below that, but still within the endorsem*nt area of the check.

Again, you can potentially deposit a check without endorsing it. Assuming the check is small enough, you deposit it into an account that matches the payee name, and it's not from an insurance company or other organization that requires endorsem*nt, this may be an option.

If you want to make instant transfers with routing and account numbers without verification, you can rely on money transfer apps such as Zelle, Wise, PayPal, or other digital banking services. These apps make it easy to move money fast using your routing and account numbers.

No, you should not deposit a check that was made out to a business into a personal account.

Depositing a big amount of cash that is $10,000 or more means your bank or credit union will report it to the federal government. The $10,000 threshold was created as part of the Bank Secrecy Act, passed by Congress in 1970, and adjusted with the Patriot Act in 2002.

If your friend signs the back of the check, you can deposit it into his/her account. No ID is required unless you want cash back.

Yes. With proper verification, Bank of America accepts a third-party check.

Endorsing a check by signing the back of it is a security step that simultaneously helps to verify you as the proper recipient of the funds and authorizes the bank to complete the transaction.

No, you generally cannot deposit someone else's check at a Wells Fargo ATM unless you have proper authorization or endorsem*nt. Wells Fargo, like many other banks, typically requires that the account holder or authorized signatory be present to deposit a check into their own account.