Electronic Check Verification: How To Verify Funds On A Check

How to verify a check

You can verify a physical check through a 5-step process:

1. Find the bank that issued the check(s). The bank name should be on the front of the check. 
2. Do a quick Google search to find the customer service phone number of the bank.
3. Tell the customer service agent that you want to verify a check and ask for assistance.
4. Provide the routing and account number. Both of these numbers are on the front of a check.
5. Give the customer service agent the amount of the check.

*Note: Do not use the phone number listed on the check. Fraudsters can easily print fake customer service phone numbers. We recommend you search the bank yourself, find the bank phone number on their website, and call that number. Taking these extra steps will ensure you are talking to a real customer service agent from the respected bank and not a scammer.

Electronic vs physical check verification

As we touched on, physical check verification is best done through the issuing bank and can take a few days for funds to transfer. If your business runs many transactions a day, you may not have time to call the bank each time. On the other hand, eCheck verification is quicker in facilitating electronic fund transfer (EFT) payments to your bank account. To verify an eCheck, eCheck payment processors use powerful tools to confirm identification information, bank account number, bank account status, and sufficient funds. For merchants, electronic check verification reduces the risks of check fraud.

The most important thing to know is that electronic checks and their verification process are often more secure than physical checks. Electronic checks have built-in encryption. Physical checks, by contrast, are easy to lose or steal, which may cause the sensitive information on the check to end up in the wrong hands. An encrypted electronic check is much harder for someone to fraudulently access and exploit for personal gain.

Legitimate sources for check verification

There are several places you can turn to for check verification:

• Your bank
• Your customer’s bank
• Your merchant service provider
• A 3rd-party check verification service

Check with your merchant service provider for check verification services.

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Challenges with bank policies

Banks are doing more and more to provide their clients with privacy and safety. This is a good thing. However, this can raise some issues with physical check verification. 

Some banks will not verify a check amount with you over the phone. They may only be able to tell you if the check is tied to a legitimate bank account. Some banks won’t even discuss this over the phone, so you’d need to take the check into one of their branches to have the verification done. The process will vary by bank or credit union.