A crossed check is a check that has been marked with two parallel lines, either across the face of the check or diagonally across the corner of the check. This marking serves as a instruction to the bank that the check should not be cashed over the counter, but rather deposited into the account of the payee. The purpose of crossing a check is to provide an additional level of security and protection against fraudulent activity.
There are two types of crossed checks: general and special. A general crossing is indicated by two parallel lines drawn across the face of the check, with or without the word "and" written between the lines. This type of crossing applies to all banks, and the check must be deposited into the account of the payee.
A special crossing is indicated by the words "not negotiable" or "account payee only" written between the lines, or the name of a particular bank written between the lines. This type of crossing is specific to a particular bank, and the check can only be deposited into the account of the payee at that bank.
Crossing a check has a number of benefits for both the payee and the issuer. For the payee, it provides an additional level of security and protection against fraud, as the check can only be deposited into their account and cannot be cashed over the counter. This is particularly useful for large checks or checks that are being sent through the mail, as there is a higher risk of fraud or loss.
For the issuer, crossing a check helps to prevent errors or mistakes, as the check can only be deposited into the correct account. It also helps to reduce the risk of fraud or unauthorized use, as the check cannot be cashed over the counter.
In conclusion, a crossed check is a check that has been marked with two parallel lines to indicate that it should be deposited into the account of the payee rather than cashed over the counter. This provides an additional level of security and protection against fraudulent activity, and is particularly useful for large checks or checks that are being sent through the mail.