Do you need to be licensed to print checks?

[puffpio]

Can one legally print their own checks? I would like custom backgrounds, and would like to print them myself. Is that legal? What is required?

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: pio!pio!
Can one legally print their own checks? I would like custom backgrounds, and would like to print them myself. Is that legal? What is required?

sure go to officemax and they sale the stuff you need.

 

[pulse8]

You might be able to to, but your checks will have no security measures in them.

 

[The Stigenator]

yes you can. There is security check paper and you got to have an ink jet.

 

[BatmanNate]

Originally posted by: The_good_guy
yes you can. There is security check paper and you got to have an ink jet.

Inkjets can't print MiCR.

 

[puffpio]

well I would only print them as I needed them so I would never have any blank checks

 

[waggy]

here is a link
I used them before. But they are more of a hassle then they are worth.

 

[sciencewhiz]

Originally posted by: BatmanNate

Originally posted by: The_good_guy
yes you can. There is security check paper and you got to have an ink jet.

Inkjets can't print MiCR.

That's why you buy the blank checks with the MiCR already printed.


On another note, a company that I used to work for did some debugging for western union, that involved them sending out one of the POS machines and a lexmark printer laser printer with MiCR toner. It was a standard printer, just a different toner cartridge.

 

[sciencewhiz]

From http://www.sourcetech.com/MICR.asp

2. Do I need special toner to print checks?
Technically, no. The definition of a legal check does not include magnetic ink or even a
MICR line. A napkin that says "please pay Joe Smith $10.00 from account number 12345 at
Big National Bank" is legally a negotiable document.

However, your financial institution can require you to follow certain guidelines in order for
your checks to be recognized as negotiable documents. In other words, if someone hands you
a "napkin" check and you try to cash it, we suspect you'll have some difficulties.

Besides meeting requirements at your financial institution, the use of magnetic ink can help
deter fraud. Some retailers and many financial institutions utilize a small MICR reader. This
machine detects and rejects checks with poor or no magnetic strength in the MICR line.
Similarly, MICR lines altered with non-MICR ink are not detected. Changes to the MICR
line are generally used by forgers to delay the detection of bad accounts.

also: http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/chk/20010320a.asp?prodtype=bank

 

[DrPizza]

Forgive me for possibly sounding like an idiot..

But, how would purchasing MICR ink help protect you from fraud?

Oh yeah, because they won't sell MICR ink to those intending to commit fraud.

I still can't figure out how half of those anti-fraud measures work... Okay, so if I copy a document on a copier, it'll say "VOID VOID VOID" all over it. What's to prevent me from duplicating the document on the same type of paper with VOID VOID VOID hidden in the background? Other than that background, the rest is very easy to reproduce. Oh, and how does the person cashing the check know that the original VOID VOID VOID background was even there?

For instance... how many of you know what MY checks are printed on? If you had my account number, nothing would stop you from printing fake checks on ANY check background... it doesn't have to have my particular background on it.... And, if MY checks have a line that says "verify that this check has a watermark on the back" or something like that, then here's a hint... omit that phrase when copying it onto another blank check.

 

[puffpio]

Sounds like..buy preprinted sheets of checks w/ MiCR on it...print my own snazzy backgrounds..cut the sheets of paper to have checks..profit!

 

[bleeb]

Yup I used to get my paychecks with homemade checks.

 

[jmgonzalez]

MICR toner is readily available for laser printers - they are usually a bit more expensive than the regular toner cartridge.

I am using the always on sale at Compusa Check product and it's easy and simple to use once you set it up. It has a check register to keep tabs on your finances, but I just use it to add some info and to print a check. I've had no problems with my banks not accepting the checks.

 

[Zontor]

I think so, but you're open to fraud.

Most banks also charge a non-standard check fee ($15 or so). I found this out when I ran out one day at the store so the clerk said to just use a deposit slip (it's got all the routing numbers on it). I did, it cleared, but I got hit with a fee....