Can Anyone Cash a Check Written to Cash?

A check made out to cash can be cashed by anyone.

Each bank has specific rules about cashing a check for customers and non-customers. These regulations are in place to protect the bank and the customers of the bank. In order to cash a check with any bank you must be willing to meet the individual requirements to cash the check.

Cashing a Check Made Out to Cash

If a check is made out to "cash," it can be negotiated or cashed by anyone who holds it. This means if you have a check written to cash you should be able to negotiate it. Some banks will not negotiate a check made out to cash if the account is not at their bank. This is to protect them in the event that the check has had a stop payment placed on it or if the account has been closed. Additionally, if you have written a check out to cash, and you lose it anyone who finds it can cash it without recourse.

Providing Identification

The bank will require you to endorse the back of the check and to provide identification. If you do not have an account with the bank you may be required to provide two forms of identification as well as a fingerprint. If you have an account at the bank, they may put your account number on the check as well.

Cashing the Check

The best place to cash the check is at the bank it is issued from. This will protect you in the event the account has been closed. Otherwise you will be held responsible for paying your bank back if the check comes back. If the check is not drawn on a local bank you should cash it at your bank. Stores that cash checks may not negotiate a personal check made out to cash.

Cautions

Accepting a check made out to cash may make it more difficult to negotiate, or you bank may put a hold on it, because tellers are often leery about negotiating the check. If you are accepting the check as a payment for something, request that they make the check out to you personallyto protect yourself. If you write a check out to cash, it can be negotiated by anyone who has it. If you want to take out cash from the bank, it may be safer to write the check at the bank or to use an ATM to get the cash.

References

• Banking Questions.com; Cashing a Check Made Out to Cash; August 2008
• Market Watch; Know the Rules for Cashing Checks; Gail Liberman and Alan Lavine; July 2005
• U.S. Department of Treasury: Answers About Cashing My Checks;