Can you cancel a certified check

In some cases, you might not be able to stop payment on a check before it clears. If someone forged a check and withdrew money from your account, contact your bank immediately. And if your bank cashes a check during an active stop payment period, it may be liable.

But the bank may apply conditions. For example, it may require you to prove that you had the legal right to stop payment and that you actually suffered a loss because of its actions. Image: Woman sitting at her kitchen table, reading on her phone about how to cancel a check. In a Nutshell A stop payment order may prevent someone from cashing a check and taking money out of your account. Advertiser Disclosure We think it's important for you to understand how we make money.

Obsessed with her many side hustles, she focuses on helping people pay down their … Read more. If not, ask for one. The amount you pay can depend on which financial institution you use. Keep in mind that each one is different when it comes to convenience, speed and cost. A wire transfer makes it easy to send or receive money in a matter of hours, for example, but it can mean paying a steep wire transfer fee.

A money order is essentially a prepaid check since you have to pay money up front to purchase one. You can also get money orders at other locations, such as grocery stores or post offices. This table highlights the key differences to weigh when comparing a certified check vs. Different types of transactions are suited to different types of payment. While that sounds simple enough, it can take time to secure an indemnity bond through an insurance company.

You can call the bank or visit a branch to ask for verification. It depends. I'm a freelance financial journalist and a regular contributor to U. News and CreditCards. You can find me on LinkedIn or follow me on Twitter seemomwrite. He has more than a decade of experience as personal finance editor, writer and content strategist. Select Region. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile.

Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. The Uniform Commercial Code states that if a bank refuses to negotiate a certified check or places a stop payment on it, the person presenting it can seek compensation from the bank.

The person attempting to cash the check must contact a local attorney and then inform the bank of the damages due as a result of the non-payment. The bank can either agree to cash the check at that time or refuse to do so, in which case it must pay damages.

There are some situations in which a bank can refuse to cash a certified check or stop payment on it without having to pay damages to the person presenting it. The bank can refuse payment it if it has a legal basis for refusing payment.