Dumb ? re: my checking account

[Quit Screwing Me]

I never used to keep up with my check register, and believe it or not, I didn't have a problem bouncing checks.

 

I've started keeping up with it since the first of the year. That's all fine and dandy. I used up all my checks. That's all fine and dandy too. I ordered new ones. This is where there's a potential problem. I never kept track of my old checks. When I placed the new order, I picked a number that popped into my head for the starting check number. Now that I have them, I'm not so sure I haven't already used all these checks with these new numbers on them.

 

Should I re-order a new batch and start with a new number about 1,000 higher than I know I've ever used? What would happen if I just use these, but the same check number has been used before? I was going to call my bank and see if there is any way they could tell me, but then I thought that they probably couldn't, plus it would probably sound like I was a fraudster on the phone trying to get info.

 

Yes, this is one of my more dumb moves.

[crofttk]

I don't think anyone cares since those check numbers are primarily for your reference.

 

The only possible complication is if the bank has reserved a certain range of check numbers for special purposes, e.g., for HELOC checks or some such, that can cause them some confusion.

 

I would just ask the bank if there are any check number ranges you shouldn't use and if you didn't, leave it at that.

[GEORGE]

I never used to keep up with my check register, and believe it or not, I didn't have a problem bouncing checks.

 

I've started keeping up with it since the first of the year.  That's all fine and dandy.  I used up all my checks.  That's all fine and dandy too.  I ordered new ones.  This is where there's a potential problem.  I never kept track of my old checks.    When I placed the new order, I picked a number that popped into my head for the starting check number.  Now that I have them, I'm not so sure I haven't already used all these checks with these new numbers on them.

 

Should I re-order a new batch and start with a new number about 1,000 higher than I know I've ever used?  What would happen if I just use these, but the same check number has been used before?  I was going to call my bank and see if there is any way they could tell me, but then I thought that they probably couldn't, plus it would probably sound like I was a fraudster on the phone trying to get info. 

 

Yes, this is one of my more dumb moves. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would RE-ORDER 1,000 HIGHER

 

Unless the bank says you have not used those numbers before...

[rhl]

I never used to keep up with my check register, and believe it or not, I didn't have a problem bouncing checks.

 

I've started keeping up with it since the first of the year.  That's all fine and dandy.  I used up all my checks.  That's all fine and dandy too.  I ordered new ones.  This is where there's a potential problem.  I never kept track of my old checks.    When I placed the new order, I picked a number that popped into my head for the starting check number.  Now that I have them, I'm not so sure I haven't already used all these checks with these new numbers on them.

 

Should I re-order a new batch and start with a new number about 1,000 higher than I know I've ever used?  What would happen if I just use these, but the same check number has been used before?  I was going to call my bank and see if there is any way they could tell me, but then I thought that they probably couldn't, plus it would probably sound like I was a fraudster on the phone trying to get info. 

 

Yes, this is one of my more dumb moves. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Who did you order the last batch of checks from? I think that if you talked to them, that they'd be able to tell you key order information such as: 1) starting check number for batch 2) total number of checks ordered. Add the starting check number of last batch and total checks ordered in last batch, then compare that with the first check number for your current batch. If last calculated check number of last batch is lower than or equal to the first check number of the new batch, you need to reorder. Otherwise, sounds like you're ok.

[Quit Screwing Me]

My previous set of checks were the original checks from several years ago I got from the bank. Anyways, I sucked it up and called the bank and told them what I did. They said the checks would still be honored even if it was the same check number that has already been used.

 

I hope this is accurate info. Makes me wonder though.....what about stop payments? They ask you for your check number. What if I put a stop payment on check #123 last year and this year I write a new check #123? Next time I'm in a branch, I'm going to ask the manager and get a 2nd opinion.

[VibrantEcho]

I don't know about all banks, but at my bank when you fill out a stop payment form you have to include the payee, the date, and the amount as well as the check #, probably for exactly that reason - so they don't stop the wrong check.

 

Fiona

[Clarkfan2]

I did the same thing several years ago overlapping about 25 checks....if all of the old ones have cleared, there should be no problems. They don't care about your check number...just that fact you have enough money to cover the amount of the check is all they are concerned about.

[bnamortgageguy]

Every morning, i balance my checkbook online, do you have that option?

Also, you may want to get overdraft protection, where you have a saving account linked to your checking!

[Quit Screwing Me]

Every morning, i balance my checkbook online, do you have that option?

Also, you may want to get overdraft protection, where you have a saving account linked to your checking!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I've started keeping up with my register now, so this problem shouldn't happen again. I do a lot of things online, but balancing my checkbook isn't one of them. My savings account is linked to my checking account for overdraft, but I'm not worried about bouncing a check, there's $ in there to cover the checks.

 

I did call my bank a couple days ago though and asked them, and they said check numbers didn't matter to them and none of the checks should be returned.

[bnamortgageguy]

Do you have to be "refered" to sharebuider"? is it a good investment tool? do you have a link?

[Quit Screwing Me]

Do you have to be "refered" to sharebuider"? is it a good investment tool? do you have a link?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

No, you don't need to be referred, but if you do get referred as opposed to just opening an account off their website, the referrer gets 5 free trades and the referee gets $25.

 

Many people don't like Sharebuilder because the fees are relatively high. I agree. However, I don't trade tons of $ in it like some of the people on the board are in a position to do. If you can only invest a small amount each month and want to dollar cost average, I think it's good for a beginner. Their website is sharebuilder.com

[mountainmommy]

I work at a bank and to my knowledge the duplicates won't be a problem.

[texastech97]

If you are able to look at your account online, you should be able to tell what the last check number was or range. I have two checking accounts with two different banks and both of them list the check numbers online and both of them allow you to go back a couple of months to check the history. So even if you haven't wrote a check in a couple of months you should still be able to check online to see what the most recent check numbers are.

[Quit Screwing Me]

If you are able to look at your account online, you should be able to tell what the last check number was or range.  I have two checking accounts with two different banks and both of them list the check numbers online and both of them allow you to go back a couple of months to check the history.  So even if you haven't wrote a check in a couple of months you should still be able to check online to see what the most recent check numbers are.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

LMAO..........yes, I can do that with my bank, but again, what I did over the years was just grab a check here, grab a check there, sometimes outta the box, sometimes from my register. I didn't even USE them in order.

 

No worries though, my bank told me that they wouldn't reject a check based on a check number.

[texastech97]

If you are able to look at your account online, you should be able to tell what the last check number was or range.  I have two checking accounts with two different banks and both of them list the check numbers online and both of them allow you to go back a couple of months to check the history.  So even if you haven't wrote a check in a couple of months you should still be able to check online to see what the most recent check numbers are.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

LMAO..........yes, I can do that with my bank, but again, what I did over the years was just grab a check here, grab a check there, sometimes outta the box, sometimes from my register. I didn't even USE them in order.

 

No worries though, my bank told me that they wouldn't reject a check based on a check number.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

My girlfriend was trying to be helpful. Good luck to your unorthodox check writing skills.

[robb]

Yeah, nobody cares about the check numbers. I have two insurance policies through allstate and their pay by eCheck feature ont heir website asks for a check number. I always made one up, and often gave them the same number for both payments in a single month and it never, ever caused a problem.

 

As for the stop-payment thing, that might be an issue, but perhaps you could find out from them which check numbers you had previously stopped payment on, although I would think you would have needed to remember your check numbers at some point in order to do a lot of stopping payments.

 

If it makes you at all nervous, there's also nothing wrong with picking whatever starting number you want. Start your check run at 9,001 or even 10,001 if you want and you'll not have to worry about any of it.

 

In fact, I often start my initial check orders at 2,001 just to avoid problems with merchants who don't like low-numered checks, although I hardly ever write checks anymore except for rent and my behind-the-times electric company.

[Quit Screwing Me]

If you are able to look at your account online, you should be able to tell what the last check number was or range.  I have two checking accounts with two different banks and both of them list the check numbers online and both of them allow you to go back a couple of months to check the history.  So even if you haven't wrote a check in a couple of months you should still be able to check online to see what the most recent check numbers are.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

LMAO..........yes, I can do that with my bank, but again, what I did over the years was just grab a check here, grab a check there, sometimes outta the box, sometimes from my register. I didn't even USE them in order.

 

No worries though, my bank told me that they wouldn't reject a check based on a check number.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

My girlfriend was trying to be helpful. Good luck to your unorthodox check writing skills.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

? ? ? ? ?

 

Thanks for the good wishes.