Can I Use White Out to Correct a Mistake on A Check?

Last updated on September 21st, 2024 at 10:28 am

Using whiteout on a check usually happens when you want to correct a mistake. And what usually comes into people’s minds having made an error is the question “Can I use whiteout to make corrections on a check”.

Surely, you don’t intend to make an error but as we all know mistakes are human. When it comes to money, banks are more serious than you can imagine because any mistake made can lead to a huge impact on the financial institution.

But to avoid being inconvenienced it’s better to understand the best practices involved in how to correct a mistake on a check depending on the financial institution.

In my experience using white-out, it’s at your own risk because banks consider it among the most suspicious fraudulent practices.

Banks allow making corrections but it should be under policy terms and where it seems complicated it’s better you first consult with the bank. Most times you’ll find yourself writing another check hence voiding the previous one.

If it’s about using whiteout on the check, this guide will get you covered in the best way possible. Furthermore, let’s find out whether it’s right or not to correct a mistake with a whiteout.

Correctable And Non-Correctable Mistakes on A Check.

Every bank defines how errors should be handled on checks and most policies cut across. Some mistakes can be corrected and others can’t be fixed other than voiding a check.

Sometimes the bank dictates upon corrections made about the policy terms and other security concerns.

Therefore, correctable mistakes are those that can be cleared without voiding a check to make it go through successfully whereas non-correctable mistakes are those that can’t be corrected on a check apart from voiding the previous check to write a new one

How Can I Correct a Mistake on A Check?

There’re different ways to rectify a blunder on a check with best practices having done it in the first place. Correcting a mistake without an eraser is good practice and is recommended for clearing the mistake.

And that’s why checks are not written in pencil instead we use a pen that can’t easily be manipulated. It’s a blue or black ink pen used in writing checks and anything besides that it’s not advisable to be used.

Compared to a pencil, erasing a check that’s written with a pen looks suspicious and fraudulent. The financial institution won’t accept the practice as it raises questions that would need to be answered.

Why did you cross out the mistake? Why did you use whiteout on the check? Why didn’t you first inform the bank about the correction? And more.

So, don’t bother using an eraser because it raises fraud suspicions and if you’re not careful you may even end up spoiling the check. Besides that, you don’t need to use whiteout on a check in correcting mistakes.

Honestly, when you decide to use it your bank will consider it invalid and that is why you had to ask yourself questions like can I cross out a mistake with whiteout?

No doubt, the bank will assume you’re up to something hence putting questions about it and you won’t succeed. Best practice of all decisions you would want to make it’s voiding a check to write a new one.

You want me to explain what voiding is in simple terms, right? It’s canceling the check writing VOID in caps in-between diagonal lines on a check.

You should put the word void at the back of the check to make it clearer. Filing a copy of the voided check should be the next move for records purposes.

However, where it’s necessary to trash it, you can do so but ensure that you capture check details (number) in the register about the voided check. Voiding a check is the best solution, but neatly crossing out a mistake is also fine.

After neatly crossing out for example when you wrote a wrong amount, countersign and then write the correct details above.

Is Crossing Out a Mistake on A Check Acceptable by Financial Institutions?

When you make a mistake in writing it’s what makes the check invalid, and crossing it out could be an option to correct it. Neatly crossing out a mistake is acceptable after all you’re supposed to counter-sign to recognize your fault.

Let’s say you made an error in the date or recipient’s name, this can all be fixed. But were you intended to temper with the account number or amount, you won’t be able to succeed.

Crossing out a mistake well is acceptable only when you counter-sign to correct the mistake on the same check. But also, you can cross out a mistake on a check and then make it void to write another check.

Neatly crossing out an error means putting one line through the mistake instead of using a whiteout or erasing with a rubber.

When you try to hide the mistake from the bank with a whiteout or using an eraser the bank can’t be positive since it needs to know what error you made.

How Can I Void a Check with Best Practice?

Let’s throw more light on voiding a check such that it’s very clear to understand what it is. A voided check can no longer be used and hence can’t be deposited or cashed by the bank.

And when you decide to make a check void, you’re supposed to write the word VOID on a check but in caps. You completely give up on the messed check to use another one putting the correct details on a new one.

We don’t use whiteout to make a check void it’s not advisable even though you’re not going to use the check.

If I Don’t Date a Check, Does It Matter?

Every item on a check has a role it plays to the users that is the check writer, the recipient, and the bank. The date is among those items that you won’t much have to worry about since it can easily be fixed.

However, you also need to ensure that you write the date correctly, or else you may get inconvenienced. Besides, checks must be deposited to the bank in time such that they can be cashed before they expire.

This means that after 3 to 6 months depending on the bank from the date it’s written the bank won’t cash it. Within that period the check writer wants you to get paid and in case it isn’t deposited the check will expire.

No transaction will take place on the check writer’s account unless when he or she writes another new check. Though some banks accept check deposits no matter the date the check was written and recipients get cleared.

There’s also what’s called a postdated check where the date written on a check to be deposited is a future date and it’s done in expectation of money in the account at a later date.

Checks expire within 3 to 6 months depending on the check writer or financial institution though some banks accept checks past the period.

In case you want to make a different arrangement apart from a 3 to 6 months time period then you need to officially talk to the bank about your concern.

How To Handle a Check Made Out to the Wrong Person?

Even though the check writer makes a mistake when writing a check to the right recipient, most times it can be corrected from there and then without voiding it.

Also, the universal commercial code (UCC) stipulates that for the check to be cashed it must be made out to the right person and any errors in the name can be corrected.

Sometimes you may change the name for different reasons say having shifted to a certain location and you want to fit in society.

If your friend addresses a check to you with that old name that you’re not using, it means that you can provide proof that you’re the same person to get paid.

But when the check is addressed to the wrong person it won’t be paid since that person isn’t entitled.

How to do it? If the check writer puts that old name, to clear the mistake it requires you to sign the endorsement area with the right name and the mistaken name.

By doing it you acknowledge that you’re the rightful person for both names and at times you may require to present a legal document like an identification.

Sometimes people would decide to deposit checks using mobile platforms like ATMs, it’s recommended to endorse as detailed above.

Mobile depositing it’s an automated platform that works out any issues relating to the recipient having done everything correctly.

Why Should I Sometimes Have to Contact the Financial Institution About a Mistake?

In case of any mistake made like messing up a signature on a check, the bank can either decide to accept the correction made on the check or not.

What I mean is that they can agree to cash it or not depending on the policy terms. And sometimes the writer may be previously conversant with the terms but things may change unnoticed.

That is why you always need to consult with the bank to ensure that you’re making corrections the right way. Contacting the financial institutions about any mistakes you’re not clear about keeps you posted.

All in all, the bank remains with the authority as to whether it should accept an error made on a check or not.

The End

Financial institutions don’t accept using white out to clear mistakes made on checks. But you can correct mistakes using other acceptable procedures where banks can easily look at errors and corrections made.

Sometimes voiding a check is hard for some people but it’s among the best alternatives for convenience. Finally, it’s all I had for you in the life of making money, budgeting, saving, investing, and money tips.