What To Do With Checks After Mobile Deposit: Essential Steps To Protect Yourself

Kaci Schowalter 22 Jun 2025

After depositing a check using your mobile banking app, you must take steps to ensure the check is processed correctly and to protect yourself from fraud. Here are the steps you should take:

Retain the check for 60 days: Most banks require you to keep the physical check for at least 60 days after depositing it. This is to allow time for the check to clear and to provide evidence of the transaction if there is any dispute. After 60 days, you can shred or destroy the check.

Store the check securely: Keep the check in a safe place where it will not be lost or stolen. You can store it in a checkbook register, a file cabinet, or a safe deposit box.

Write "VOID" on the check: Once you have deposited the check, write "VOID" in large letters across the front of the check. This will help to prevent anyone from attempting to cash or deposit the check again.

Monitor your account activity: After depositing the check, monitor your account activity to ensure that the check has cleared and that the funds have been credited to your account. If you see any suspicious activity, contact your bank immediately.

Report lost or stolen checks: If you lose or have a check stolen, report it to your bank immediately. The bank will cancel the check and issue you a new one.

By following these steps, you can help to protect yourself from fraud and ensure that your checks are processed correctly.

What to Do With Checks After Mobile Deposit

Mobile deposit is a convenient way to deposit checks into your bank account using your smartphone. However, it is important to know what to do with the check after you have deposited it. Here are six key aspects to consider:

Retain the check
Store it securely
Write "VOID" on the check
Monitor your account activity
Report lost or stolen checks
Shred the check after 60 days

By following these steps, you can help to protect yourself from fraud and ensure that your checks are processed correctly. Here are some additional tips:

If you are depositing a large check, you may want to consider taking it to your bank in person.
If you have any questions about mobile deposit, you can contact your bank for more information.

1. Retain the check

After depositing a check using mobile deposit, it is important to retain the physical check for at least 60 days. This is because most banks require you to keep the check for this period of time in case there is any dispute about the transaction. Retaining the check also provides you with evidence of the transaction in case the check is lost or stolen.

There are a few reasons why it is important to retain the check after mobile deposit. First, if there is any problem with the deposit, such as if the check is returned unpaid, you will need the physical check to prove that you deposited it. Second, if you are ever audited by the IRS, you may be required to provide copies of all checks that you deposited during the year. Finally, retaining the check can help to protect you from fraud. If someone steals your check and tries to cash it, you will have the physical check to prove that the check was already deposited.

There are a few different ways to retain the check after mobile deposit. You can store it in a checkbook register, a file cabinet, or a safe deposit box. Whichever method you choose, make sure that the check is stored in a safe place where it will not be lost or stolen.

2. Store it securely

After depositing a check using mobile deposit, it is important to store the physical check securely. This is because you may need the check for reference or as proof of the transaction in the future. There are a few different ways to store checks securely, including:

In a checkbook register: A checkbook register is a small booklet that is used to record check transactions. Checkbook registers typically have a space to record the date, check number, amount, and payee of each check. You can store the physical check in the corresponding space in the checkbook register.
In a file cabinet: A file cabinet is a good option for storing checks if you have a lot of them. You can create a separate file for checks and store them in chronological order. Be sure to label the file so that you can easily find it later.
In a safe deposit box: A safe deposit box is the most secure option for storing checks. However, it is also the most expensive. If you have a lot of valuable checks, you may want to consider renting a safe deposit box at your bank.

No matter how you choose to store your checks, be sure to keep them in a safe place where they will not be lost or stolen.

3. Write "VOID" on the check

After depositing a check using mobile deposit, it is important to write "VOID" on the check to prevent it from being cashed or deposited again. This is because, once a check has been deposited using mobile deposit, the original check is no longer valid and should not be negotiated.

Prevents fraud
Writing "VOID" on the check helps to prevent fraud by making it clear that the check has already been deposited and cannot be used again.
Protects you from liability
If a check that has been deposited using mobile deposit is fraudulently cashed or deposited again, the bank may hold you liable for the amount of the check. Writing "VOID" on the check helps to protect you from this liability.
Provides peace of mind
Writing "VOID" on the check can give you peace of mind knowing that the check cannot be used again.

It is important to write "VOID" on the check in large, clear letters so that it is easily visible. You should also write "VOID" across the signature line to prevent someone from forging your signature.

4. Monitor your account activity

After depositing a check using mobile deposit, it is important to monitor your account activity to ensure that the check has cleared and that the funds have been credited to your account. Monitoring your account activity also helps you to identify any unauthorized or fraudulent activity.

Check for the deposit
Once you have deposited a check using mobile deposit, the first thing you should do is to check your account activity to make sure that the deposit has been processed and that the funds have been credited to your account. If the deposit has not been processed within a few days, you should contact your bank to inquire about the status of the deposit.
Review your transactions regularly
Once the check has been deposited, you should continue to monitor your account activity regularly to make sure that there are no unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. You should review your account activity for any transactions that you do not recognize or that seem suspicious.
Report suspicious activity
If you see any suspicious activity on your account, you should report it to your bank immediately. Suspicious activity includes any unauthorized withdrawals, deposits, or transfers. You should also report any transactions that you do not recognize or that seem unusual.

By monitoring your account activity, you can help to protect yourself from fraud and ensure that your money is safe.

5. Report lost or stolen checks

Reporting lost or stolen checks is an important step to protect yourself from fraud. When a check is lost or stolen, it is important to report it to your bank immediately. The bank will cancel the check and issue you a new one.

Steps to report a lost or stolen check
To report a lost or stolen check, you will need to contact your bank's customer service department. You will need to provide the bank with the following information:
- Your account number
- The check number of the lost or stolen check
- The date the check was lost or stolen
- Any other relevant information, such as the amount of the check or the payee
Consequences of not reporting a lost or stolen check
If you do not report a lost or stolen check, you could be held liable for any fraudulent charges that are made on the check. This is because the bank may not be aware that the check was lost or stolen, and they may honor the check if it is presented for payment.
Preventing lost or stolen checks
There are a few things you can do to prevent your checks from being lost or stolen:
- Keep your checks in a safe place.
- Do not carry your checkbook with you unless you need it.
- Be careful when writing checks, and make sure to write them out to the correct payee.
- Report any lost or stolen checks to your bank immediately.

By following these tips, you can help to protect yourself from check fraud.

6. Shred the check after 60 days

Shredding the check after 60 days is an important step in the process of what to do with checks after mobile deposit. It helps to protect you from fraud and identity theft. Here's why:

Prevents check fraud: A fraudster could find your check and try to cash or deposit it again. Shredding the check after 60 days makes it much more difficult for someone to do this.
Protects your identity: Your check contains your personal information, such as your name, address, and account number. Shredding the check after 60 days helps to protect this information from falling into the wrong hands.

It is important to note that some banks may have different policies regarding the retention of checks after mobile deposit. Be sure to check with your bank to find out their specific requirements.

Shredding the check after 60 days is a simple but effective way to protect yourself from fraud and identity theft. By following this simple step, you can help to keep your financial information safe.

FAQs About What to Do With Checks After Mobile Deposit

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about what to do with checks after mobile deposit:

Question 1: What should I do with a check after I deposit it with mobile deposit?

After depositing a check with mobile deposit, you should retain the physical check for at least 60 days. This is to allow time for the check to clear and to provide evidence of the transaction if there is any dispute. After 60 days, you can shred or destroy the check.

Question 2: Where should I store the check after I deposit it?

You should store the check in a safe place where it will not be lost or stolen. You can store it in a checkbook register, a file cabinet, or a safe deposit box.

Question 3: Why is it important to write "VOID" on the check after depositing it?

It is important to write "VOID" on the check after depositing it to prevent it from being cashed or deposited again. This is because, once a check has been deposited using mobile deposit, the original check is no longer valid and should not be negotiated.

Question 4: What should I do if I lose or have a check stolen?

If you lose or have a check stolen, you should report it to your bank immediately. The bank will cancel the check and issue you a new one.

Question 5: When can I shred the check after depositing it?

You can shred the check after 60 days. This is because most banks require you to keep the check for this period of time in case there is any dispute about the transaction.

By following these tips, you can help to protect yourself from fraud and ensure that your checks are processed correctly.

Conclusion

After depositing a check using mobile deposit, it is important to take steps to protect yourself from fraud and ensure that the check is processed correctly. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can help to keep your financial information safe and ensure that your checks are handled properly.

Here are some key points to remember:

Retain the check for at least 60 days.
Store the check in a safe place.
Write "VOID" on the check after depositing it.
Monitor your account activity.
Report lost or stolen checks to your bank.
Shred the check after 60 days.

By following these steps, you can help to protect yourself from fraud and ensure that your checks are processed correctly.

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