The diagram below highlights specific check components. Move your
mouse over any area of the check for a description of each component.
Personalization
There are 5 lines available for the personalization of your
checks. This information typically includes your name and address
and optional information such as your phone number, driver's license
number or social security number.
Bank Information
Your bank information must be printed on your checks. The bank
name is required, but you may also need to include your bank's
address. Refer to your existing checks to determine what information
should be included here.
Cut / Monogram area
If the design of your check allows, you may select an optional
cut or monogram to appear to the left of your personalization
Over Signature Text Area
If the design of your check allows for it, you may include a
personal message in the over signature area on your checks.
Routing Number
The first number in the MICR line at the bottom of your check
is your bank's routing number. It is 9 digits long and always
starts with 0, 1, 2 or 3.
Account Number
Your account number may appear before or after your check number
in your check's MICR line.
Check Number
The sequential number for your checks appears in both the MICR
line at the bottom of your checks and the upper right corner of
your checks. This number allows you to keep track of the checks
you write.
Signature Line
The account owner endorses the signature line on a check to
authorize its use.
Pay To Line
The "Pay To" line is where you identify the person/business
to whom the check is written.
Dollars Box
The "Dollars" box is where you write the numeric amount
of the check. It is written out additionally on the amount line,
which is below the "Pay To" line on the check.
Amount Line
This line is provided for you to write out the amount of your
check.
Fraction
The fraction on your check is used to identify your bank.
Padlock Icon
This icon references security features which have been included
on your checks to help your bank identify check fraud. These features
are described on the back of your checks. See the Check Security
section below for an explanation of security features.
Check
Security
The Check Gallery, Inc. was instrumental in the formation
of the American Mail Order Association (AMOCA) and remains an active
member.
AMOCA was formed to represent some of America's leading direct
mail check companies.
AMOCA instituted FRAUD ALERT, a procedure to identify and prevent
unauthorized orders of checks. This is something most financial
institutions are not involved with. The organization acts as a clearing
house for suspected fraudulent check order requests. If one AMOCA
member discovers a possible unauthorized order, the other members
are notified within 24 hours to stop the check order from being
processed.
Each member of AMOCA agrees to follow the American National Standards
Institute's (ANSI) high criteria for check printing, the same standards
followed by all accepted financial institutions.
Checks under the AMOCA guarantee are printed with all of the same
specifications required of any financial institution and therefore
must be accepted by them in the course of daily banking. Any bank
refusing these checks, or warning against security violations (because
of account numbers being given out) is doing so in an effort to
regain the loss of revenue they experience by their clients purchasing
checks elsewhere and for less cost. Banking is, after all, a business.
Additional security measures on all our checks are:
The lock icon to the right of the word "Dollars",
indicating to the Bank or Credit Union that the check contains
security features that will help them detect a COPY from the ORIGINAL
document.
The MP icon, indicating that micro-security print is used in
the design. This is very small print that will break up if it
is photocopied.
A panel, on the check reverse, describing some of the security
features incorporated into the check design.
