SS - Banks are changing the layout of checks

[thekidrocks]

Oh my Gawd the troubles I have been having with 3 credit cards where I do a direct payment at their web site. And I just discovered why...

Take a look at any site where they post a photo of a typcial check... you see the routing number... the bank account number... then the check number. Right???

Now I look at my bank's new checks - which came from a change of accounts.

Routing number... 5 digits for the CHECK NUMBER... followed immediately by 3 more digits (making for an 8 digit "account number") and a space, and then 5 more digits. Now I look at MY checks, look at the check example, then look like a fool to say the least.

HOLY CARP! I've been going through hell with Discover, American Express and a small credit card over electronic payments that don't work! It was tonight as I was speaking to an account rep at the small CC company (I placed the call mind you) when I saw it... on a deposit ticket. 'Bout fell out of my chair!

AMEX is pissed - understanding at least as they see my otherwise perfect payment record since 1991 - but they no longer will accept an electronic payment from me. Discover is no help - called them when I discovered the issue, but they can't do anything until the payment bounces as a bad account number (they did make a notation on the account). UGH!

I thought electronic payments were supposed to make life easy.

[mcs328]

You would think the CC would adapt to this new system of check layout or the bank let you know the layout is changing and inform you that this may cause problems with CC.

[thekidrocks]

Next time I am at the bank, I'll ask a CS rep if this is a bank change or an industry change - out of curiosity. No need to complain, as nothing would come of it.

However venting feels good - provided it's in the right direction ;)

[Paymaster]

Hmmm... I'm not sure that I get the problem. When doing an online payment, you list the routing number, and the account number. Anything after that isn't required (or at least I have never has to use it). How was this causing problems?

[Grimm]

He confused the numbers because they didn't match the examples online.

[InfiniteNothing]

I didn't know that the numbers came in any specific order. Just look at the symbols and that should tell you which number is which.

[thekidrocks]

I didn't know that the numbers came in any specific order. Just look at the symbols and that should tell you which number is which.

Yup indeed. That's where I made my mistake.

On my checks, the routing number comes first. Then the check number - but the twist was that after the check number is 3 digits of the account number with a large gap between them and the rest of the account number.

I have checks here for 4 bank accounts (2 old, 2 new). Bank One, Wells Fargo and the local credit union all have routing/account/check#. Star Financial (the bank account I've been having this problem with) has routing/check# with 5 digits of account/ large space/last 3 of account.

So indeed if I looked for the symbols, well wait a sec... Bank One and Wells Fargo and Midwest America CU... well I guess you'd have to see them. If you saw the Star Financial checks - you'd feel for me on this one. Far from obvious.

[Grimm]

Yup indeed. That's where I made my mistake.

On my checks, the routing number comes first. Then the check number - but the twist was that after the check number is 3 digits of the account number with a large gap between them and the rest of the account number.

I have checks here for 4 bank accounts (2 old, 2 new). Bank One, Wells Fargo and the local credit union all have routing/account/check#. Star Financial (the bank account I've been having this problem with) has routing/check# with 5 digits of account/ large space/last 3 of account.

So indeed if I looked for the symbols, well wait a sec... Bank One and Wells Fargo and Midwest America CU... well I guess you'd have to see them. If you saw the Star Financial checks - you'd feel for me on this one. Far from obvious.
Well, while I can see how you would make the mistake, it's your responsability to get it right, no one elses. I would keep talking to the CC companies to see if you could straighten things out.

[thekidrocks]

Well, while I can see how you would make the mistake, it's your responsability to get it right, no one elses. I would keep talking to the CC companies to see if you could straighten things out.

Exactly - and what I've been doing. Thankfully the credit card companies are understanding. Sure has turned into a nightmare though.

Honestly, there is a lot to be said for mailing a payment.