Last updated Mar. 18, 2023 by Peter Jakes
Checking your bank account, you see that a check has arrived in the mail. You can’t wait to cash it and use the funds to buy groceries, pay an overdue bill, or purchase something else you’ve been putting off buying for months. But when you cash it, you find out there’s a problem: The check is written on paper.
A handwritten check is considered “cashable” by banks and other financial institutions if it’s made out to someone with a known address (like yours) and signed by both parties involved. It doesn’t have any illegible information on it.
However, after taking these precautions and verifying that sufficient funds are available in the account from which the check was written, some places will still refuse such payments because of security concerns associated with paper checks.”
Check Cashing
In addition to the fact that you can cash your check at a place where you get money orders and other financial services, many check cashing places have agreements with banks to process checks for free.
This is ideal if you don’t have an account at the bank and need fast cash immediately.
While this may seem like a convenient option, there are some drawbacks:
- Some check cashing places only cash checks up to a specific limit, usually $300 or $500. You’ll have to go elsewhere (or wait until the next payday) if your check is more significant than that amount.
- Some places may charge a fee for cashing your check. It’s usually around $1 per hundred dollars of the amount being cashed (i.e., $20 if they’re processing a $2,000 review). Still, it varies depending on which location you’re using and the deal they’ve got going on with their bank partners.
Many businesses do not accept personal checks as payment because of potential fraud concerns; therefore, most individuals cannot use personal checks in these situations either (unless they want their money back later).
Money Orders
Money orders are a great way to cash a check and quickly get your hands on money. They’re also safer than cashiers, personnel, and cash.
Unlike other checks, money orders can only be used once. This means you can’t write one for $500, then try to use it again for another $500, it simply won’t work.
It also makes them more secure because they don’t include personal information about the person cashing them, and no account numbers are required to purchase or use them.
Because these documents aren’t linked to bank accounts like most other forms of payment (such as debit cards), they’re more complex than ever for fraudsters or thieves who want access to your money without permission.
Digital Wallets
A digital wallet is a secure, private way to store your money. If you’re unsure what it is, consider it a digital version of your physical wallet.
You can use it to store cash and other payment information to pay for goods and services online or in person.
You’ll need a phone or an Internet-enabled device (like a tablet) to use a digital wallet. Some famous examples include Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, and Square Cash.
Each works differently depending on which apps or online services are available through your bank or credit card company. Before making any purchases with these tools, check with their support teams for help getting started.
PayPal
PayPal is an online payment system that allows you to pay for purchases, transfer money, and send it to friends and family. It’s a secure way to send money because the account information you enter is encrypted before it reaches PayPal’s servers.
PayPal offers both a Personal version and a Business version. The Personal version is free to use if you’re sending money or paying for goods or services yourself; however, if you’re receiving money from someone else using their PayPal account (for example, you buy something on eBay), then they’ll be charged 2.9% of what they send as a transaction fee.
Your bank will also charge them fees based on how much they have in their checking account; these may vary from bank to bank but typically fall within the 1% – 3% range, depending on the amount transferred.
Mobile Cash Apps
You can use your mobile app to send and receive money, pay bills, and make purchases. Mobile cash apps are convenient because they’re fast and easy to use.
They’re also safe: your financial information is protected by the same security measures that protect online banking sites. And if you have a smartphone or tablet, you can use a mobile cash app anytime, anywhere, even when you’re on the go.
The best part about mobile cash apps is that they’re free; there’s no cost attached to downloading and using one of these tools to manage your finances.
Bank of America
Bank of America is an excellent place to cash a paper check. It has a lot of branches, so it should be easy to find one close to you. Plus, Bank of America has good customer service and hours, so you won’t have trouble getting your money quickly.
The only downside is the rates are not very competitive compared with other banks that offer similar services.
Chase
Chase is one of the biggest banks in the country. It has branches in every state and can be found in most metropolitan areas.
Chase offers various financial services, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and loans.
Chase is also a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) member.
PNC Bank
PNC Bank is one of the largest banks in the US, with over 7,600 branches and more than 29,000 ATMs. It also has many mobile banking apps for both iOS and Android devices.
PNC Bank offers online banking as well as several other services:
- Bill Pay (for paying bills)
- Online Statements
- Mobile Banking (allows you to monitor account balances or transfer funds between accounts)
TD Bank
You’ve got a check to cash. The first thing you need to do is find a bank that can help you with that. If you’re like most people, your instinct will be to go with the biggest bank in town.
While plenty of small banks are willing to cash your check (and some may even have better rates), they probably won’t have as many branches or ATMs as their larger competitors do and since convenience is essential when essentials are lacking, that’s not ideal.
If you want quick access and reliable service at all hours of the day and night, look no further than TD Bank. As one of America’s largest financial institutions, this company has over 1,200 branches throughout 15 states.
Including New Jersey and Pennsylvania and over 6,000 ATMs across North America. Customers can deposit checks 24/7 via their mobile app or by visiting one of its brick-and-mortar locations during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 9 am–6 pm).
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo is a large bank with many locations, so you can find one in your town. Most Wells Fargo ATMs are open seven days a week and throughout the day.
Wells Fargo can cash checks for any amount, but they also charge a fee of $3.00 per check.
If you cannot go into the bank and get it cashed, there’s another option: Wells Fargo can also cash orders (up to $1,000), which most businesses accept as payment for goods or services.
Good read:13 checking account benefits you shouldn’t overlook
BBVA Compass Bank
BBVA Compass Bank is a subsidiary of BBVA, a Spanish multinational banking group. It has over 1,000 branches in 16 states and is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama.
BBVA Compass Bank is one of the largest banks in the United States, with over $122 billion in assets as of December 31st, 2017, and over 1 million customers.
SunTrust Bank
With locations in over 1,400 cities around the United States, SunTrust Bank is a convenient option if you’re looking to cash a check. The bank’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm ET, with extended hours on Thursday until 6 pm.
SunTrust charges no fee for cashing checks up to $500 and a $4 processing fee for checks over that amount; however, there can be an additional charge per check at certain branches depending on location and circumstances (for example, some departments require that your account be linked).
Withdrawals made at SunTrust ATMs will cost $2 per transaction after the first six free monthly transactions.
You can also use SunTrust’s online bill payment system or mobile app to deposit checks into your account, which may come with fees depending on how many transfers you complete in one month across all accounts combined.
This is particularly useful if you don’t have access to another bank account or don’t want to withdraw large amounts of cash immediately (if you keep most of your funds tied up in savings or investments).
For those who prefer using their local branch instead of the ATM or online banking platform when depositing their paycheck via check, SunTrust has more than 1,200 locations nationwide where this service is available. However, it’s essential not to overlook any fees associated with doing so.*
Regions Bank
Regions Bank is one of the more well-known players in the check cashing and money order business. The company has been offering these services since it opened its doors in 1872, making it one of America’s oldest banks.
Regions Bank is a division of Regions Financial Corporation, based in Birmingham, Alabama, with over $122 billion in assets as of 2017.
Regions offer several options for people who need to cash checks or buy money orders: check cashing at any branch location or through its online account management platform;
instant deposits via mobile app; and mobile payments including Apple Pay™, Google Pay™, Samsung Pay™, Zelle® by Early Warning Services®, Venmo® by PayPal Holdings Inc., Zelle® by Early Warning Services®, PNC Cash® by PNC Bank, and Chase QuickPay℠ (on eligible accounts).
Citibank
Citibank is one of the best places to cash a paper check. It has over 7,000 branches and offers various services and products. You can use its mobile app to deposit checks or send money to friends from your phone.
Also, suppose you’re looking for an online-only bank account that won’t charge you any fees. In that case, Citibank is worth checking out; its regular checking account doesn’t charge any monthly maintenance fee and has no minimum balance requirement.
Ingo Money App
The Ingo Money App is a favorite choice for payroll check cashing. When you sign up, you must link at least one debit card, prepaid card, credit card, or PayPal account to your user profile.
To cash a check, take a photo of it in the app, choose when and where you want to receive the money, and submit the bill for review.
Cost:
- $5 or 2% for preprinted payroll and government checks (whichever is higher)
- $5 or 5% for other types of checks and money orders (whichever is higher)
- The preferred pricing plan, available to customers who’ve cashed at most minuscule six checks within the last 90 days, offers discounted rates.
- No fee if you choose to receive your money in 10 days
Stores that cash checks near me
Stores that cash checks near me are a question I get asked often.
Plenty of banks will cash your check, but sometimes you need to go in person; other times, you don’t need an appointment and can walk right in.
Here is a list of all the stores in my city that will cash your check, no matter how large or small.
-Walmart
-CVS Pharmacy
-Target
What stores cash checks?
It may seem like an old-fashioned way of doing business, but there are still several places in the United States where you can walk in, give them a check, and walk out with cash.
Some businesses even prefer to take checks because it makes the transaction risk-free. However, this is not the case everywhere.
If you’re trying to find a store that takes checks, ask around your local community or look online (most companies have customer service lines you can call). Here’s a list of businesses that do accept checks:
Swap meets and flea markets: swap meets are great places to buy used items and sell your own for cash.
Many of these events also offer a few vendors who will take your check if you buy something from them.
Tailor: if you need to get alterations done on clothing or even have a new piece sewn, sometimes tailors will take checks as payment.
Paralegal: if you need help with paperwork or filing legal documents related to divorce or bankruptcy, they may also be willing to accept checks.
Most tax preparation services: Sometimes, these companies will also help you find other services in your area willing to take checks as payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can you cash paper checks?
It’s not entirely uncommon to get paper checks as a form of payment, particularly if you’re a vendor or do business with companies in the construction industry.
If you ever find yourself with one of these paper checks, knowing where you can cash them is essential so that you’re not stuck without access to your money for long.
The best thing to do is call the bank listed on the check, which is usually also where it needs to be cashed.
This way, you can avoid any fees or hassles associated with getting your check cashed at an establishment that doesn’t work with that bank.
Can you cash a personal check at an atm?
The short answer is “no,” you can’t.
A personal check is a payment made to a specific person, meaning it’s not an item that can be cashed at an ATM.
It must be deposited into a bank account in the same bank where you wrote the check (same routing number) or another.
You only need to go to an ATM for a personal check if you used one as a withdrawal slip when cashing your paycheck at your bank.
However, if you don’t have enough money in your account to cover that withdrawal, it will bounce and cause any checks you wrote to reflect.
When things get messy, the person who wrote the check can be held responsible for its payment when it bounces, and it will likely cost them more than what was originally on the bill.
Can you deposit a paper check on Cash App?
In a friendly tone: The short answer is no, you cannot deposit a paper check on Cash App.
However, there are other options available to you that can help you avoid the hassle of cashing your check at the bank.
Can I cash a check at an ATM without an account?
As you might expect, the answer to the question above is no. You can’t cash a check at an ATM without an account.
However, there are ways you can cash a check at an ATM without an account, just not at the ATM itself.
The easiest way to cash a check without an account is to go to a bank open during regular business hours and ask a teller for assistance.
Having an account makes it easier for you, but you can use this method if you don’t already have one. Then, when you get to the bank, say that you’d like to withdraw money from your checking account by cashing a check.
The teller will probably ask you questions about your account and may want to verify your identity before they give you money.
The other way to cash a check without an account is to go to the financial institution that issued your statement to them if they will cash it for you directly.
This method is more complex in a bank because most banks don’t offer this service; it only works if you have a personal relationship with the place where the check was issued (like if it’s your employer).
If they agree to cash your check, they may charge a fee or require identification (like your driver’s license)
Can you cash a check at Walmart without a bank account?
Using the MoneyGram service you can cash a check at Walmart without a bank account using the MoneyGram service.
You’ll need to provide your personal information and information about the recipient of the money.
You can also request a receipt to ensure you get the correct amount.
Can I deposit a check on chime?
Yes, you can deposit a check with your chime account. This is done through ‘Deposit Checks’ in the app.
You will need a Visa debit card linked to your chime account and the funds in your checking account to cover the amount of the check being deposited.
Remember that if you use a check from another bank, there can be an additional delay before your deposit posts.
Summary.
You have many options when you need to cash a paper check. You can choose from various locations, including check-cashing stores and banks. Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular choices
- Check Cashing Store
- Money Orders
- Digital Wallets (such as PayPal)
- Mobile Cash Apps (such as Venmo or Zelle)
- Bank of America / Chase / PNC Bank / TD Bank / Wells Fargo / Capital One
- BBVA Compass Bank
We hope this list has helped you find a place to cash your check. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us! We’re happy to help.
