Depositing money or cashing a check used to involve a trip to the bank, which could be both time consuming and inconvenient. But mobile check deposit has eliminated those frustrations, making many banking transactions as easy as taking a photo, at any time of day.
If you have a smartphone, chances are you can use mobile check deposit, provided your bank includes the feature in its mobile app.
What is mobile check deposit and is it safe?
Consumers can save time by depositing checks remotely. Instead of bringing a check to the bank, mobile check deposit allows consumers to snap a picture of the front and back of a check using a smartphone and deposit it using a bank’s mobile app.
In the banking industry, these digital transactions are referred to as remote deposit capture. It’s both convenient and safe. Still, ensure that the banking app you download to complete a mobile check deposit is from the bank itself, and not a random source, to avoid potential fraud. Fraudulent mobile apps accounted for nearly 40 percent of all fraud attacks in 2021, according to a report by Outseer, a provider of payment fraud protection services. Banks typically provide links on their websites for safely downloading their apps.
What to know about mobile check deposits
1. Your bank can cap how much you can deposit
Banks often place a limit on the total dollar amount of mobile deposits that can be made, which restrict how much customers can deposit daily or monthly. The maximum amount varies by bank.
“Mobile check deposit limits are set to reduce the risk of fraudulent checks being deposited,” says Urjit Patel, chief operating officer of Education First Federal Credit Union. If you have to deposit checks in excess of predetermined bank limits, you have the option to visit a branch or ATM to facilitate the transaction.”
2. Deposited checks can bounce even after confirmation
Checks can still be returned when deposited via smartphone.
“Checks may bounce just as they would if you had deposited them at your local bank branch,” says Bonnie Maize, a financial advisor at Maize Financial in Rossville, Kansas. The bank may return the deposit if the issuer has insufficient funds.
For mobile deposits, the bank may notify you with a confirmation that the check went through. But the bank has the right to return the deposit even after the confirmation is received.
It may take a few days for the transaction to be finalized, which “can be a surprise for young people who are accustomed to financial transactions going through immediately,” Maize says.
3. Banks can place a hold on mobile-deposited funds
Just like a regular check, your bank can place a hold on the funds deposited by smartphone. A common reason for so-called delayed availability of funds is that the funds were deposited too late in the day. After a certain cutoff time for check deposits, the depositor may have to wait an extra business day for the check to clear and for the funds to become available.
4. Check images aren’t stored on your phone
You might wonder who is going to have access to the sensitive information displayed on a check, but check images aren’t stored on your phone. Instead, bank apps typically “store the deposit data, including images, on a secured web-based server, thereby protecting the customer and the integrity of their financial information,” says credit union executive Patel.
5. Taking the right picture is a snap with an app
It can be tricky to get the hang of snapping the right picture for a mobile deposit, but banking apps are smart and can guide you.
“I think the most valuable feature offered is the automatic snapshot feature that takes the photo automatically when you have the photo box closely outlined around the check,” says Bill Samuel, owner of real estate development company Blue Ladder Development and a frequent depositor of mobile checks.
Having a dark background behind the check can help improve photo quality. After positioning the check within the screen’s frame, the app will automatically snap or prompt the user to take the picture. The same procedure is repeated for both sides of the check.
6. Endorse the check
Before you start snapping pictures, make sure to endorse the check.
“Checks will need to be endorsed just as they would if you were depositing them in-person at your bank,” says Maize, the financial advisor.
“However, there’s an additional step for mobile deposits: Some checks may have a box on the back that says ‘For Mobile Deposit’ that you need to check. If the check you are endorsing doesn’t have this, be sure to write ‘For Mobile Deposit Only’ or the version of this statement that your bank requires under your signature.”
7. Hold on to the check
After taking pictures of the check, hold onto the check for a few days to ensure the funds are properly deposited. Wells Fargo recommends storing a hard copy of the check for five days. It can be tempting to toss the check directly into the shredder, but that could lead to problems if the bank has a question about the deposit.
“Hang on to the check until you see it clear and move from pending to approved on your online statement,” says financial advisor Michael Foguth, president and founder of Foguth Financial Group.
Bottom line
Taking advantage of the mobile deposit feature through a bank’s app can save you time and a trip to a branch. Be sure that the amount you deposit doesn’t exceed the bank’s limit and hold onto any check for a few days after submitting it.
Bank representatives are also a good resource to answer any questions about mobile check deposits and their limitations.
–Freelance writer Sarah Sharkey contributed to a previous version of this article.
FAQs
The safest and fastest way to get cash is to take your check to the check writer's bank. That's the bank or credit union that holds the check writer's funds, and you can get the money out of the check writer's account and into your hands instantly at that bank.
How can I deposit a check instantly and get money? ›
The safest and fastest way to get cash is to take your check to the check writer's bank. That's the bank or credit union that holds the check writer's funds, and you can get the money out of the check writer's account and into your hands instantly at that bank.
What needs to be written on a check for mobile deposit? ›
You can make deposits in a snap with your iPhone® or Android™ device. Due to a new banking regulation, all checks deposited via a mobile service must include: “For Mobile Deposit Only” handwritten below your signature in the endorsem*nt area on the back of the check or the deposit may be rejected.
How long does it take to verify a mobile deposit check? ›
Or it can take a few days for the bank to verify the check. The amount of the check can impact this timeline, as can the rules and processes each bank has surrounding mobile deposits. All of that being said, generally consumers can expect mobile deposits to take a business day to complete.
Why would my mobile deposit be rejected? ›
Your mobile deposit may get rejected if you fail to endorse a check for the mobile deposit. This means that you did not sign the back of the check-in designated area. Avoid making this mistake by signing the back of the check. Often, there will be a place to write or indicate that this will be a Mobile Deposit as well.
What checks clear instantly? ›
Cashier's and government checks, along with checks drawn on the same financial institution that holds your account, usually clear faster, in one business day.
Can I deposit my check into ATM and get money instantly? ›
No. There is no requirement to make funds from a check immediately available for withdrawal.
How do banks verify mobile deposits? ›
Three basic components are required for mobile check deposits to work. A banking app uses a phone's camera to scan the check. An internet connection is required to transmit the information captured. And a service provider such as a bank or credit union for the check to be deposited.
Can I cash a check on cash App? ›
Can you cash a check on Cash App? You sure can — it's one of the easiest ways to cash a check on the go. Cash App allows you to deposit checks electronically, so you don't have to worry about waiting in line at the bank.
Does Cashapp do mobile check deposit? ›
The good news is that you can deposit a check directly through the Cash App — and the better news is that it's more convenient than going to a bank once you know how to do it.
What Should You Do When You Realize You Deposited a Fake Check?
- Report the fraud to your bank. ...
- Try to stop the payment. ...
- File complaints with consumer protection agencies. ...
- Contact any creditors that may be impacted. ...
- File a police report. ...
- Monitor your credit.
Fake Checks and Your Bank
By law, banks have to make deposited funds available quickly, usually within two days. When the funds are made available in your account, the bank may say the check has “cleared,” but that doesn't mean it's a good check. Fake checks can take weeks to be discovered and untangled.
Can I verify a check instantly? ›
Banks should usually be able to verify a check for you within a few minutes over the phone. You might have to take the time to go to the branch in person, however, as some banks require this.
How long does it take for a mobile deposit to be accepted? ›
When you deposit a check using your mobile banking app (assuming you do so before the bank's cut-off time), your check is considered deposited as if you'd made the deposit at the bank branch, and your money should be available in the normal one to two business days.
Can I mobile deposit someone else's check? ›
Depositing paper checks to your own bank account can be as simple as handing them off to a teller or snapping a photo using mobile check deposit. But can you deposit checks for someone else? The short answer is yes, though the process for doing so can vary from bank to bank.
How can you tell its a fake check? ›
Authentic checks are printed on thick, coated paper stock with a matte finish. If a check feels thin and flimsy when you bend it, or looks shiny, it's probably phony. Another test is to run a damp finger across inked areas on the paper. If the ink smears, the check is fraudulent.
Does it really take 7 days for a check to clear? ›
Bottom line. In most cases, a check should clear within one or two business days. There are a few cases in which a check might be held for longer, such as if it's a large deposit amount or an international check. Make sure to review your bank's policies for what to expect in terms of check hold times.
Will a check clear with insufficient funds? ›
Generally, a bank may attempt to deposit the check two or three times when there are insufficient funds in your account. However, there are no laws that determine how many times a check may be resubmitted, and there is no guarantee that the check will be resubmitted at all.
Does cash App clear checks instantly? ›
Cash App offers standard deposits to your bank account and Instant Deposits to your linked debit card. Standard deposits are free and arrive within 1-3 business days. Instant Deposits are subject to a 0.5% -1.75% fee (with a minimum fee of $0.25) and arrive instantly to your debit card.
Is chime mobile check deposit instant? ›
Cash deposits typically post within two hours of a successful transaction. Checks deposited through the Chime mobile app. Checks deposited through the Chime mobile app typically post up to five business days from the date of the deposit.
What ATMs Allow Check Cashing?
- JP Morgan Chase.
- Bank of America.
- TCF Bank.
- Wells Fargo ATM.
- US Bank.
- Citigroup.
With a direct-scanning ATM, it's different: Once a check is inserted and scanned, the machine reads the magnetic characters and uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software to capture the account information and the handwritten dollar amount.
Do banks verify funds before cashing a check? ›
Because paper checks have no actual monetary value themselves, banks have to verify whether the transaction can actually be completed or not.
Which online bank allows mobile check deposit? ›
Horizon Bank Mobile Deposit allows you to deposit checks anywhere, anytime, using your mobile device with the Horizon mobile app. Saving you time without the need to visit a branch or ATM.
How do I enable instant deposit on Cash App? ›
Tap the Activity tab on your Cash App home screen. Choose the deposit to expedite. Select Deposit Instantly.
How do I cash a check online? ›
With mobile check deposit, all you typically need to do to deposit your check is take a picture of it using your bank's app. Your bank may have specific instructions or requirements around endorsing a check for mobile deposit, but generally the process is fairly straightforward.
Does PayPal cash checks instantly? ›
Once your check is approved, you have the option to pay a fee and get your money credited to your PayPal Balance account, usually in minutes. If you don't need the money immediately, you can get it in 10 days with no fee if the check is not returned unpaid.
Can I deposit a check on Cash App through ATM? ›
Things You Should Know
You can't deposit cash via ATM, but you can withdraw. Input your Cash Card, enter your PIN, then select "Get cash". To deposit at a retailer, tap the "Banking" tab on your app. Tap "Paper Money" → "Show Barcode".
How do I endorse a check for mobile deposit on PayPal? ›
After entering the check amount, you need to take a photo of the front and rear. But before you do that, endorse the back with a pen. After endorsing, take a picture of the front of the check followed by the rear. The camera will automatically take the picture once it is ready.
Where can I cash a third party check online instantly? ›
Here are the best third-party apps for cashing checks:
- Brink's Money Prepaid: Most Secure App.
- Ingo Money: Most Versatile App.
- Venmo: Best for ATM Access.
- PayPal: Most Trusted Cash Checking App.
- Lodefast: Best for Akimbo Card Carriers.
- ACE Flare: Best Nontraditional Bank Account.
- NetSpend: Best for Prescription Purchases.
Your check may clear within one or two days, and you can withdraw the check amount, but that doesn't mean the check is necessarily legitimate. The bank may not find an issue with the check until the other bank returns it unpaid.
Can you fake a mobile deposit? ›
According to a report by Guardian Analytics, a fraud detection service, the two most common types of remote deposit fraud are the sweetheart scam and fake payday lenders. Remote deposit fraud can also come through fake job postings, such as requests to become a mystery shopper.
Can an ATM detect a fake check? ›
All ATMs are equipped with an electronic sensing eye and other scanning devices in order to detect bogus money. Besides, they record transaction details, personal activity and the user's face using in-built cameras.
How do banks catch fake checks? ›
Typically, they use the ink in sensitive areas such as the amount line, the signature, and the bank logo. Then, when the bank processes the check, it runs it under a UV-scanner which can detect if any of the UV ink has been altered or tampered.
Can scammer get into your bank account with a fake check? ›
Fake checks can look so real that it's very hard for consumers, or even bank employees, to detect. Fake bank checks are typically used in scams where the scammer tries to get you to cash or deposit the check.
How do banks spot fake checks? ›
Legitimate checks will usually have at least one rough or perforated edge. One sure-fire way of spotting a fake is to examine its edges. If all four sides are smooth, it was likely not issued by a financial institution. A hallmark of any legitimate check is the logo of the bank where the account is held.
Can a fake check bounce? ›
Just because the money appears to be available in your account doesn't mean that the check has cleared and is legitimate. Counterfeit cashier's checks can look very authentic. The bank may still bounce the check if it's a forgery!
What time do banks process mobile deposits? ›
Are there deposit cutoff times?
| Deposits made | Funds are typically available |
|---|
| Before 9 pm Pacific Time business days | On the next day after your deposit |
| After 9 pm Pacific Time business days | On the day after the deposit credit date |
| Non-business days | On the day after the deposit credit date |
Yes, it is possible to deposit your friend's check in your account. To do so, they must endorse it with their name, include "Pay to the order of" and write your name.
Can I cash a check that is not in my name? ›
Cashing a check for someone else at the bank
Banks will allow you to cash or deposit a personal check for someone else. This is especially useful for people without a bank account, as it means a friend or family member can cash in a personal check for you.
Call your bank and explain that you intend to deposit a check that has been made payable to someone else. Ask what you need to have them write on the back of the check, and be sure to ask if you both need to be present to deposit it.
Can you go to jail for depositing a fake check? ›
According to federal laws, intentionally depositing a fake check to get the money that is not yours is an act of fraud. Just like any other act of fraud, you can go to jail or face fines.
How do you verify funds on a check? ›
While it's possible to go through your own bank to issue the check verification process, it's safer to go through the financial institution that issued the check — the bank listed directly on the check. Using the check-issuing bank reduces and can, in some cases, eliminate the risk of fraud.
Can someone fake a bank transfer? ›
A bank transfer scam – also known as an authorised push payment (APP) scam – occurs when you transfer money from your bank account to a scammer's bank account under false pretences. Bank transfer scams occur when a scammer tricks a victim into transferring money.
Does Cashapp deposit checks instantly? ›
Cash App offers standard deposits to your bank account and Instant Deposits to your linked debit card. Standard deposits are free and arrive within 1-3 business days. Instant Deposits are subject to a 0.5% -1.75% fee (with a minimum fee of $0.25) and arrive instantly to your debit card.
How do I cash a check online ASAP? ›
How it works
- Download the Money Mart app.
- Sign-in or create an account.
- Tap "Cash a Check"
- Take a photo of the front and back of your check.
- Review your details and fees, and tap "Submit"
While it may be possible to cash a check without a bank account, you'll have to provide identification to verify that you're the person the check is issued to. Acceptable forms of ID may include a driver's license, state-issued ID, military ID or passport.
How do I get free Cash App money instantly? ›
1. Refer a friend: Cash App has a great referral program where you can earn $5 for each friend you refer to the app. Simply share your unique referral code with them and once they sign up and make their first transaction, you'll get $5 added to your account.
How do I make a Cash App deposit instantly? ›
Tap the Activity tab on your Cash App home screen. Choose the deposit to expedite. Select Deposit Instantly.
How do I borrow money from Cash App? ›
Borrowing on Cash App
- Open Cash App.
- Tap on the home screen icon, if necessary, to navigate to the “Banking” header.
- Check for the word “Borrow.”
- If you see “Borrow,” you can take out a Cash App loan.
- Tap on “Borrow.”
- Tap “Unlock.”
- Cash App will tell you how much you'll be able to borrow. ...
- Select your repayment plan.
Below are some examples of reasons a check may be declined: Check was not written to you, as your name appears on your Ingo® Money account. Check was not endorsed. Amount of the check is less than $5 or more than $5,000.
What bank can I cash a check at without an account? ›
You don't have to have an account with Regions to cash checks. Regions offers check cashing services — including handwritten, out-of-state, insurance, two-party, tax refunds, business, government and payroll — so you can get your cash immediately.
Can I deposit a check at an ATM without signing? ›
A check must be endorsed on the back for it to be valid for deposit. So, always sign your name in the blank space next to the X just before you bring it to the Bank. Note: You can deposit at a Bank location, through our mobile app, or at an ATM. 2.
How do I cash a check anonymously? ›
Posted by Frank Gogol in Banking | Updated on May 27, 2023
At a Glance: To cash a check without an ID, you can sign the check over to someone else, use ATM check cashing, or deposit it into your account and withdraw the funds when it processes (typically 3 to 5 business days).
