If you’re worried that a certified check might be fraudulent, first look for telltale signs like typos or anything that looks generally “off.” Double check the bank information with the bank’s information online. But if you’ve requested payment in the form of a certified check, you might want to exercise caution, especially if you don’t know or trust the check sender. Of course if you’re the one sending the check, you have nothing to worry about.

However, certified checks aren’t hard for fraudsters to copy. Plus, it may be worth paying a fee to make the secure and guaranteed payment.Ĭertified checks themselves provide secure and guaranteed funds. The funds are frozen and will be released to the person you paid when they deposit or cash the check.Īnother downside, although not quite as drastic, is that certified checks do come with fees. One drawback to certified checks is that you cannot stop the payment once you’ve handed over the check. However, it will usually fall between $5 and $15.

The fee often varies depending on the account, institution and transaction amount. Keep in mind that most institutions will charge a fee for certified checks. Once you’ve written the check, the teller or a bank officer will sign off or “certify” it and stamp it. You’ll then have to verify your identity and prove to the bank or credit union employee that you have the funds available in your account. To get started, you’ll need to provide the check amount, name of the recipient and any note you want to include on the check. It could help to call the institution beforehand to find out whether it offers certified checks and if there are any further requirements. You’ll need to go into a physical branch to get a certified check. While you can get a certified check from any old bank, it’ll probably be easier to go to a bank you have an account with. You can purchase a certified check through a bank or credit union. This comes in handy when you need funds more immediately since you don’t have to wait for the check to clear necessarily. So instead of handing over or mailing wads of cash, you can send a certified check. Other times, certified checks are used in lieu of cash purchases. Once they’re certified, they’re good to go. A certified check can bring peace of mind to both parties, when they both want to make sure the funds are safe and secure. A personal check poses some risks, especially in situations like these, where it’s unsure whether the buyer can actually make the purchase. People often use certified checks in large transactions where the recipient doesn’t know (or trust) the account holder. Luckily, certified checks are usually pretty readily available at your local bank. The bank will also ensure that the check carries a genuine signature. The issuing bank or financial institution certifies that the sender has enough cash in their account to complete the transaction. The main advantage of using certified checks is that they provide guaranteed funds. Certified checks serve as an alternative to personal checks, which are not guaranteed. That way, the check won’t bounce whenever it’s deposited. This means that you write a check almost as normal, but the bank certifies it and freezes the check amount in your account. A certified check is a check written by an account holder and guaranteed by the bank.

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