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Subject Author Date
Why is number preprinted on computer checks? DP 05-09-2006
Posted by DP on May 9, 2006, 10:30 pm
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One thing I've always wondered since the first time I used Quicken more than
a decade ago: Why do computer checks have the pre-printed on them?
Wouldn't it make a whole lot more sense for Quicken to print a check number
in the upper right corner when it prints the checks? It seems to me that
would give the user a whole lot more control.
I'm just surprised, as Quicken has matured, that that has never been offered
as an option, at least AFAIK.
I guess the only reason I can see having the number pre-printed is as a
security device. It makes it easier to see when a check is missing.



Posted by DP on May 9, 2006, 10:32 pm
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 Oops. Missing word there.
The sentences should say "Why do computer checks have the check number
pre-printed on them?"


>
> One thing I've always wondered since the first time I used Quicken more
> than a decade ago: Why do computer checks have the pre-printed on them?
> Wouldn't it make a whole lot more sense for Quicken to print a check
> number in the upper right corner when it prints the checks? It seems to me
> that would give the user a whole lot more control.
> I'm just surprised, as Quicken has matured, that that has never been
> offered as an option, at least AFAIK.
> I guess the only reason I can see having the number pre-printed is as a
> security device. It makes it easier to see when a check is missing.
>



Posted by Wayne on May 9, 2006, 10:54 pm
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Your bank is interested in the check number too. It is encoded in the MICR ink
across the bottom, and they report it to you by number, and keep it in their
records that way (microfilm for example). I doubt the bank wants it to be a
random number.


Posted by DP on May 10, 2006, 1:02 am
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Ah.... I did not know that.

However, when I make an online payment to Allstate Insurance they make me
give them a check number. So I just make one up. Hasn't caused a problem
with the bank yet.

I'm not sure why Allstate asks for that, since every other online transfer I
do with other companies does not require a check number.

What about VersaCheck? I've never used it but doesn't it essentially print
each check from scratch? The forms are blank until your printer prints the
account number, amount, check number, etc? Right? And it's not printing in
MICR ink, I would assume?
Just asking.


> Your bank is interested in the check number too. It is encoded in the MICR
> ink
> across the bottom, and they report it to you by number, and keep it in
> their
> records that way (microfilm for example). I doubt the bank wants it to be
> a
> random number.
>




Posted by Bernie on May 10, 2006, 2:20 am
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Versacheck now recommends using MICR ink and they sell it.
http://www.g7ps.com/scripts/versaink.asp

For a while there was a movement to sort checks optically. I've been
away from the field for quite some time, but that seems to have been
abandoned and it appears that MICR encoding and sorting remains the
standard. If you print a Versacheck (as I have) without MICR encoding
then the bank, or in some cases a business, will have the check rejected
when they sort their batch of checks and your check will be hand
encoded. If your checks or images of your checks are returned to you
you will see a strip of tape affixed to the check where the MICR
encoding was added.

Usually the MICR encoding will be done accurately and your bank routing
number, account number, check number, and check amount will all be
properly encoded. On rare occasions one of those numbers may be
miscoded and then chaos results. The particular type of chaos depends
on which field is miscoded.

Preprinted checks are so inexpensive, and we write fewer than a dozen
checks a year these days, so I've stopped using the Versachecks.

Bernie

On 5/10/2006 12:02 AM, DP wrote:
> Ah.... I did not know that.
>
> However, when I make an online payment to Allstate Insurance they make me
> give them a check number. So I just make one up. Hasn't caused a problem
> with the bank yet.
>
> I'm not sure why Allstate asks for that, since every other online transfer I
> do with other companies does not require a check number.
>
> What about VersaCheck? I've never used it but doesn't it essentially print
> each check from scratch? The forms are blank until your printer prints the
> account number, amount, check number, etc? Right? And it's not printing in
> MICR ink, I would assume?
> Just asking.
>
>
>> Your bank is interested in the check number too. It is encoded in the MICR
>> ink
>> across the bottom, and they report it to you by number, and keep it in
>> their
>> records that way (microfilm for example). I doubt the bank wants it to be
>> a
>> random number.
>>
>
>
>

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