Know Your Balance

• If you have a joint account, designate one person as the account manager

• Consider direct deposit of your payroll checks and other benefit payments

• Record all checks, ATM transactions, debit transactions, account fees, and deposits in your checkbook and keep a running balance

• Never write a check or make a charge on your debit card for more than you have in your account

• Make sure deposits to your account clear before withdrawing cash or making charges against those deposits

• Balance your checkbook against your bank statement every month

Keep Your Account Safe

• Report stolen checks or debit cards immediately

• Update your personal information when moving or changing names

• Don’t use other people’s checks or debit cards, or let them use yours

• Keep your checks and debit cards in a safe place

Check Writing Basics

• Always use a pen
• Don’t erase mistakes
• Never sign blank checks
• Be cautious of post-dating checks
• Destroy voided or unused checks and deposit slips

Balance Inquiries