
If you've been handed a personal handwritten check, you might be wondering where you can cash it without a bank account. Many retailers and financial institutions accept handwritten checks for deposit or cashing.
Some popular places that accept handwritten checks include grocery stores like Walmart and Kroger, which often have check cashing services at their customer service desks. You can also try pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens, as they usually have check cashing options.
Some retailers may charge a small fee for cashing handwritten checks, so be sure to ask about any fees before proceeding.
Retail Stores
Retail stores can be a convenient option for cashing personal handwritten checks. You can try visiting a Walmart, as they offer in-store check cashing services.
Walmart will cash various types of checks, including payroll checks, government checks, and tax checks. They may also cash two-party personal checks up to $200 for a maximum fee of $6.
The fees for check cashing at Walmart are straightforward: $3 for checks of $1,000 or less and $6 for those above $1,000 and under $5,000. Other retail stores may have different fees and rules, so it's a good idea to call ahead before making a special trip.
You can also try visiting a grocery store or big box retailer, like Walmart, to cash a check. Just remember that Walmart only cashes preprinted checks.
Alternative Options
If you're looking for alternative options to cash a personal handwritten check, you have a few choices. Ingo Money is a popular online app that allows you to cash most kinds of checks, including handwritten personal checks.
You can use Ingo Money to cash checks as small as $5 or as much as $5,000, and the check balance will be deposited in a matter of minutes. The fees for using Ingo Money vary depending on the type of check and the balance amount.
If you prefer a prepaid debit card option, Green Dot is another great choice. It's free to deposit checks with the mobile app if you can wait 10 days to access your funds, or you can access your funds in minutes by paying a 1% fee for government and payroll deposits.
Here are some key details about Ingo Money and Green Dot:
Contact Issuing Bank
Contacting the issuing bank is often the cheapest and quickest option to cash a check without a bank account. The bank's name is usually located in the bottom left corner of the check, above the memo line.
To find out their check cashing policy, call a local branch of the issuing bank. Some banks will even give the account owner a phone call on the spot as a security measure to ensure there is no fraud taking place.
You'll need to bring 1-2 forms of valid ID to confirm the check is yours, such as a driver's license, passport, or government-issued ID card.
The fee for cashing a check at the issuing bank varies from bank to bank. For example, Bank of America charges a flat $6 fee, while Capital One charges $0. M&T Bank charges 2% of the check amount with a $3 minimum.
Here are some common fees charged by banks:
Some banks also offer prepaid debit cards for non-customers, which can come with monthly maintenance fees and expiration dates. Make sure to read the terms and conditions carefully and use the card as soon as possible to ensure your money doesn't expire.
Green Dot
Green Dot offers a prepaid debit card option with in-app mobile check cashing. You can cash checks at Walmart to reload your prepaid Green Dot debit card, but there's a fee associated with it.
The fee for mobile check cashing with Green Dot depends on the type of check and the speed of processing. For government and payroll deposits, it's 1% of the balance. For handwritten checks, it's 4% of the balance.
You can cash checks with Green Dot as small as $5, but the maximum single check balance is $2,500. If you need to cash more than one check in a day, you can do so, but the total amount can't exceed $5,000.
If you're looking to cash a handwritten check, be prepared for a higher fee - 4% of the balance. On the other hand, if you're cashing a government or payroll check, the fee is lower - 1% of the balance.
Here are the mobile check cashing limits with Green Dot:
With Green Dot, you don't need to open a checking account as the balance comes off your debit card. They also offer a book of paper checks if you need to write someone a check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I cash my check free of charge?
You can cash your check free of charge at your own bank or credit union, or at the bank where the check was written, if you're not an account holder. Check with the bank for their specific policies and fees.
Sources
- https://dollarsprout.com/where-to-cash-a-check/
- https://wallethacks.com/cash-personal-check-without-bank-account/
- https://wellkeptwallet.com/cash-personal-check/
- https://www.wbaltv.com/article/where-can-i-cash-a-check-18128372/44227158
- https://www.acecashexpress.com/blog/money-management/what-type-of-checks-can-be-cashed/
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