A check is a document you write to order your bank to pay a certain amount of money to an individual, company, group, or organization. The British people spell it as cheque, but this should not be a big issue since they mean the same thing. You can deposit checks physically or online via an app. This explains why you can quickly deposit a check online prepaid card.

Prepaid cards are similar to debit cards, although you do not need to link them to a bank account. However, they have a provision of linking to a bank account so that you can receive money from your employer, guardian (for school children), or from any other relevant source. You can also link the card to your bank account for recurrent topping up of your card instead of always having to log into your account to top up.

Any checking account, either debit or credit account, are eligible for linking with a prepaid card. With an online credit card, you can transfer money from a credit card to a prepaid card online with just a few taps on your smartphone or even a computer. Money can take up to five days or more to reflect on the prepaid card since the prepaid card account is taken as a separate bank.

How can you deposit a check to a prepaid card online?

You require internet access and a smartphone, tablet, or computer to execute the process. When you enroll to get a prepaid card from your preferred institution, the officers naturally guide you on managing the card online via a unique app.

To get started, you have to install the card issuer’s application to your smartphone or any other approved third-party check deposit app, such as Ingo Money. Android smartphone users can get the app from the Google Play Store. iOS smartphone users can get it at the App Store. 

Next, fill in the check accurately and sign it. Ensure that you write “for mobile deposit only” just below your endorsement. Switch on your data connection, open the mobile app, and navigate to ‘check deposit.’ The deposit camera will open so that you can take photos of both the check’s front and back. Follow the next steps until you submit the details successfully. You will get a confirmation on the successful check deposit.

How do I write a check for a mobile deposit?

There are various details you need to fill in a check for it to go through the processing period successfully. 

• First, write the date. The date you write is the same day the recipient can cash out the money. It means that you can write a later date if you do not want the recipient to cash out so soon. 
• Enter the name of the recipient you are paying in the ‘Pay to the Order Of line’. The recipient may be an individual or a company. 
• Write the exact amount of the money to pay just to the right of the dollar sign. Include dollars and cents. For example, $4000.45 or 4000.00.
• Write out the amount to pay in words just below the figures. Cents are written over 100. For example, $4000.45 should be written as ‘four thousand and 45/100’.
• Confirm that the amount written in words matches the one written in figures. If they do not match, the bank assumes that the ones written in words are correct. Also, draw a line to fill any space left so that no one will add more words.
• Next, write why you are making the payment in the space indicated ‘FOR’ for accountability purposes. 
• Sign the check on the signature line. Ensure that the signature is the same as the one you signed when opening your prepaid card account.
• Lastly, endorse the check by signing at the back of the card and write ‘for mobile deposit only.’ You are done, and the check is ready for the mobile deposit! 

While depositing a mobile check, ensure that all the details are well captured in your photo, including the routing and account numbers. These are at the bottom of your check. The nine-digit number on the left of your check is the routing number, while the set of numbers represent the account number. The four-digit number on the right is the check number. It is also printed on the top right of the check.

Do prepaid cards have routing and account numbers?

Prepaid cards are issued by financial institutions and thus have both routing and account numbers. If you know how to transfer money using the routing number and account number, you can easily send money to or from your prepaid card to someone else’s account.  

A routing number is used to distinguish a financial institution from the rest. It is also called the ABA routing transit number. The account number distinguishes the account holder from the rest of the customers of the same bank. 

How does the check clearing process work online?

Once you upload the photos using your smartphone and app, the document goes to a queue for approval. After approval, the concerned financial institution deposits the money into the prepaid card account. You can see the balance displayed upon logging into your account. 

To make matters more comfortable, you can link your prepaid card to a bank account to transfer funds to your debit or credit account quickly. If you know how to transfer money from a debit card to another debit card, you use the same process to transfer funds from your debit or credit card to a prepaid card account. It would help if you had both the routing and account number for the receiving account.

Is the online check deposit safe?

You are responsible for ensuring that you deposit checks online securely. Technology keeps on changing now and then, and fraudsters develop new ways to steal from unsuspecting people. If you are making a mobile check deposit, ensure that you use the right app. You should download apps from certified sources such as the Google play store and Apple store. 

Furthermore, you should be worried about third-party apps. Although some are genuine and approved, others may be hazardous to use. If well utilized, an online check deposit is secure. Bank apps encrypt the check information so that no phishing can succeed.

How else can I deposit a check to a prepaid card?

There are other ways you can use to deposit money to your prepaid card account. Since banks issue most prepaid cards, you can visit your bank branch to deposit a check. Here, you will sign the check, provide your ID, and also your prepaid card.

Some banks also allow ATM check deposits using your prepaid cards. Such banks include BB&T, Green Dot, Chase, TD Bank, and Wells Fargo, among others. 

Once it matures, the funds are available in your bank account and ready to transfer to your prepaid card. If your prepaid card links with your bank, then it means that you can access the funds directly from your bank account using the prepaid account. Reloadable prepaid cards with no fees are the best to link to a bank account.

How long does a check take to mature?

When a check matures, the processing is complete, and money is deposited in the intended account. The time taken for a check to mature varies from one financial institution to the other. However, it should not take more than two days to reflect in the recipient’s account. If you deposit during the weekday, the process is faster. 

Generally, if you deposit a check on a business day, you can access the funds the next working day. Other factors that determine the duration taken for a check to mature is the existing relationship between the recipient and the bank.

If you have been a long time customer, things are likely going to move faster. The check amount and the payee’s bank status may also determine the duration taken for a check to mature. 

Which prepaid cards support the mobile check online deposit?

There are numerous prepaid debit cards with mobile check deposit options as we speak and are very easy to get. They include the following.

1) NetSpend Prepaid

 The card has no activation fees. It does not require a minimum balance meaning you can have any amount of money in your card account. To apply for the card, visit Netspend and fill in the necessary details. See details.

2) Bluebird by American Express

It is free to apply for the card. Moreover, there are no monthly fees to apply for the card. Withdrawing at ATMs within the network is free. However, you pay $2.50 on any out of network ATM. The operator fee may also apply. See details.

3) FamZoo

FamZoo helps you to open prepaid card accounts for your children. It charges you $2.50-$5.99 as a monthly fee. ATM withdrawals on the FamZoo network are free. See details.

4) Wells Fargo EasyPay Prepaid Card

Wells Fargo EasyPay Prepaid Card charges a $5 monthly fee. However, card activation is free. ATM withdrawals are also accessible within the network. See details.

Bottom line

The online check deposit is a convenient way to deposit your check using an app and your smartphone. You do not have to walk to your bank and queue. However, it would be best to be careful with third-party apps, as some may expose you to fraud. If possible, use the app-specific to your prepaid card account. You may consider other check deposit methods if you are not comfortable with the online check deposit option.