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What Is Mobile Check Deposit?
Mobile check deposit, also called mobile deposit, allows you to deposit paper checks into your bank account using a mobile app on your smartphone. It is as safe and secure as depositing a check in person, so long as you take care to keep your passwords and other digital information safe.
Every financial institution has its own rules for letting its customers access their money after depositing a mobile check, though some banks will let you use the money as soon as you deposit it. Others require you to wait for the deposit to be verified. Some banks also have deposit limits for mobile transactions.
Generally, you can access checks for $200 or less the next business day. For checks more than $200, you can generally access $200 the next business day, and the rest of your check amount the following business day.
How To Endorse a Check for Mobile Deposit
“Endorsing a check” simply means signing the back of the check. You need to endorse the check so your bank can make the deposit. Your endorsem*nt helps prevent fraud and confirms your identity.
Any mistakes you make when endorsing a check can delay the deposit of your funds into your account. Your bank may also refuse to honor your mobile check deposit and reject your transaction.
Keep reading to learn how to correctly endorse a check for mobile deposit.
Step 1: Double-check Endorsem*nt Details
Endorsing a check is a simple process. But before you sign the check and prepare to take pictures in your mobile app, make sure that your check has been made out to you correctly.
Before endorsing your check, confirm the following:
- The information on your check is accurate. Look at the front of the check to confirm that your name, the date and the amount paid to you are correct.
- You’re still within the allowable period to deposit your check. Checks typically expire after six months and are considered “stale.” Some financial institutions may honor stale checks, but they’re not required to.
- You’re placing your signature in the correct location. Most checks have a section on the back for your signature and the instructions, “Endorse Here.”
- You’re using ink to sign. Use a pen with black or blue ink to sign your check. Do not use a pencil. Test the pen first to ensure that your signature will be legible.
You’re now ready to sign your check.
Step 2: Sign the Back of the Check in the Endorsem*nt Area
Simply sign your check in the box labeled for endorsem*nt. Write on the lines provided. Pay attention to any instructions that tell you not to write or sign below a certain line, and follow them. Remember to use a pen with blue or black ink.
Step 3: Add “For Mobile Deposit Only” Under Your Signature
Your bank or financial institution will likely ask you to label your check as a mobile check deposit under your signature. Or you may need to write the name of your financial institution and/or your account number. Some banks have a box you can tick that states “Check here if mobile deposit” or similar.
Here are a few popular banks and what they require you to write under your signature:
- Bank of America requires checks to state “for deposit only at Bank of America.”
- Wells Fargo requires checks to state “for mobile deposit at Wells Fargo Only.”
- Capital One requires checks to state “for Capital One mobile deposit.”
Check your app’s mobile check deposit instructions to be sure you’re writing the correct statement before proceeding.
Step 4: Use the Mobile App To Take Photos of the Check’s Front and Back
After endorsing your check, you’ll need to take photos of the check and submit them to your bank.
To help you take photos of your check, most mobile banking apps guide you with an outline of the check on your screen. The app may also take the photo for you once you’ve centered the check in your device’s camera viewfinder or prompt you to take the photo. You’ll need to do this for both the front and back of your check.
Follow these steps to take high-quality photos of your check:
- Position the check against a dark background: A light-colored check on a white background, such as a table or piece of paper, can be hard to read.
- Put your check on a flat surface: Holding the check can cause blurriness in your photos.
- Take a photo of just the check: Make sure that your check is the only object in the frame, and keep your fingertips clear of your device’s camera.
- Choose a well-lit spot: Make sure the spot where you place the check is lit well and free of dark shadows.
- Line up the edges of the check: When taking pictures of your check, make sure that the edges and corners line up with the outline of the check in your mobile banking app.
Step 5: Follow In-App Prompts To Submit the Check for Deposit
When you’re ready to deposit your check, open your mobile banking app and follow the instructions to make a mobile check deposit.
Most mobile banking apps follow similar instructions for depositing a check:
- Open the app and sign in.
- Select your desired checking or savings account for depositing your check.
- Tap “Deposit” or “Make a Deposit.”
- Enter the amount you’re depositing.
- Enter a memo for your check, if you’d like.
- Take photos of the front and back of your check.
- Confirm that all the details are correct before submitting your deposit.
When you’ve finished making your deposit, hold on to your check until the full amount has cleared your account. Your bank may recommend that you keep your check for a specific period, such as five to seven days. After your check has cleared and you feel comfortable getting rid of your check, shred it or destroy it securely.
Your financial institution and its mobile banking app may have unique instructions and requirements, so make sure you review the steps needed to deposit a check in your app.
Is Mobile Check Deposit Safe?
Mobile check deposit is as secure as banking online. Common safety and security measures for mobile banking include strong customer authentication, secure data transmission and compliance with banking laws and regulations to stay up to date on customer protection methods.
Mobile check deposits are secure, but it’s a good idea to follow best practices for keeping your personal and financial information safe.
- Use strong passwords for your mobile banking app.
- Consider using extra security measures like facial recognition, fingerprint recognition or a unique PIN code.
- Set up multi-factor authentication to log in to your accounts.
- Keep your banking app updated.
- Use trusted internet connections rather than public Wi-Fi when depositing a mobile check.
Taking these steps can better protect your finances and personal information when using your device to deposit checks or complete other banking tasks.
Common Challenges and Troubleshooting
The following are some of the common challenges you could face when endorsing a check for mobile deposit:
- Illegible signature: For a smooth, quick mobile deposit experience, write in blue or black ink that won’t smear. Write clearly and legibly, and in the correct place on your check.
- Blurry photo: Take photos of your check on a dark, flat surface. Use your mobile banking app’s camera features to get clear photos of your check.
- Deposit error: If you encounter an error in your mobile banking app when making a deposit, check your signature, endorsem*nt, amount entered and the quality of your check photos before submitting your check again.
- Old version of app: If you still get an error, check that your mobile banking app is running the latest version. You may need to update it.
- Deposit still not working: If you’ve done everything correctly and your app seems to be working fine, reach out to your financial institution to see if they can give you more information. The app may be crashing on their end.
The Bottom Line: Endorsing Checks for Mobile Deposit
It’s important to know how to endorse a check for mobile deposit and how to submit it successfully. If you make mistakes when endorsing a check or taking photos of your check, it may cause your financial institution to reject your check. You may have to wait to sort out any issues or experience a delay in getting your funds.
Endorsing a check and making a mobile check deposit are relatively simple actions. Mobile banking apps make the process easier with step-by-step instructions and guidance when taking photos of your check. Simply follow your bank’s instructions to make a successful deposit. Once your mobile check deposit clears, you can enjoy the funds in your account.
FAQ: How To Endorse a Check for Mobile Deposit
If a check is issued to you and another person, such as your spouse, your bank may require that both of you sign the check before you deposit it. If it is issued to you or your spouse, you can typically deposit the check yourself.
If a check is made out to your business rather than your name, you can endorse the check on behalf of your company. You’ll need to write the name of the business and your company title on the back of the check, and then sign your name.
Mobile banking can be as secure as banking in person as long as you take measures to keep your personal information on your device safe.
Depending on the amount of your check, it may clear in one to three business days. However, your bank can hold a deposit for several reasons, such as account activity, past unpaid checks or frequent overdrafts, but there is a maximum hold period by federal law.
Editor’s Note: Before making significant financial decisions, consider reviewing your options with someoneyou trust, such as a financial adviser, credit counselor or financial professional, since every person’s situation and needs are different.
Jessica HammonsEditor
Jessica Hammons is a professional writer based in Colorado. She has worked as a freelance writer covering comic books, movies and television. Now, she writes content and copy for a variety of small businesses and entrepreneurs.
When Jessica isn’t writing, she can be found spending time with her family, exploring Colorado, and discovering new food trucks. She also enjoys reading, crocheting, sleeping and other grandmillennial activities.
David GregoryEditor
David Gregory is a sharp-eyed content editor with more than a decade of experience in the financial services industry. Before that, he worked as a child and family therapist until his love of adventure caused him to quit his job, give away everything he owned and head off to Asia. David spent years working and traveling through numerous countries before returning home with his wife and two kids in tow. His love of reading led him to seek out training at UC San Diego to become an editor, and he has been working as an editor ever since. When he’s not working, he’s either reading a book, riding his bicycle or playing a board game with his kids (and sometimes with his wife).
