I intend to print some checks and cannot do MICR toner. Since archive.org is down right now, about half the Internet is down for me because so many enshitified websites are access restricted and I rely heavily on archive.org.
What is the risk for submitting a non-MICR check to pay a credit card bill? Slower processing, sure, fine with me. However, this page mentions returned check fees. My knee-jerk thought is: WTF, it would be a valid check, so would some lazy motherfucker whose check reader has no optical cabability really be able to legally justify hitting me with a returned check fee as a consequence of them being too lazy to do a manual entry?
The law apparently makes it clear that a non-MICR check would not comply with ANSI standards. Fair enough; but really the question is whether a non-standard check can be treated as invalid to the point of levying penalties when in fact the information presented is both valid and usable? It’s all down to what lazy motherfuckers will do with their discretion, correct?
I happen to know that the credit card company does not process checks like normal. They do an ARC conversion. They use the info on the check to generate an “electronic check” and then they pull the money electronically. They probably do that to move the money faster. So is it safe to say there is no chance of my bank rejecting the check – that the only possible rejection would be by the credit card company?
A credit card company would obviously be processing copious checks. So it stands to reason that they would use a modern reader that is both magnetic and optical. So IMO it should work. But they could still be dicks. The reader could read the info optically but send a “dodgy check” flag due to the lack of magnetism and maybe they are just happy to have an excuse to collect an arbitrary penalty.
Anyone test this?
Fwiw any local credit union I’ve ever used will offer 1-5 checks for free whenever I ask in-person. That is an option for someone who uses <5 checks per year.
Yeah that’s typical. There are also some that give a proper box of checks, though this is increasingly rare. In any case, they do not help me when I’m traveling. More chatter here: https://slrpnk.net/post/42035706
Heck I have had some that send a few checks with statements. I mean back when they would mail statements.
As far as I can tell, though I’ve not tried, the risk is rejection fee and or manual processing.
You can call the receiving entity and ask what they would do when given such a check.
In the immediate I’d call your bank and ask them to send the check you need sent and to send you a checkbook. The fees for each are generally nominal or free and far less than a bad check and or late payment fee.
Edit: You could also see if the receiving entity can accept a bank transfer.
