Can you deposit someone elses check in your chime account

Paper checks are still here and they aren’t going away anytime soon. For that reason, many traditional and digital banks have made use of their mobile apps to make life easier for their customers and deposit paper checks remotely. 

Is Chime one of them? Can you deposit a check on the Chime app?

You can easily deposit paper checks via the Chime app by using the mobile check deposit feature and taking a photo of the check. It’s free and there are no fees associated with depositing the check. 

Seems easy enough, but you have to be aware of some of the criteria for mobile check deposits to work properly. Keep on reading to find out what the requirements are. 

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How to Deposit Checks on Chime

Depositing paper checks using Chime’s Mobile Check Deposit feature is straightforward and can be even if you aren’t tech savvy. Simply follow these steps to upload photos of your check:

1. Open the Chime app
2. Tap “Move Money”
3. Tap “Mobile Check Deposit”
4. Choose the type of check you want to deposit 
   • U.S. Treasury
   • Payroll Provider
   • Other
5. Tap “Got it”
6. Enter the amount
7. Allow Chime to take pictures and record video
8. Take a photo of the front of the check
9. Tap “Use Photo”
10. Take a photo of the back of the check
11. Tap “Use Photo”
12. Tap “Yes” when the app friends you to sign the check
13. Review and tap “Deposit check”
14. Tap “Got it”

Check Photography Tips

Although uploading and depositing a paper check via the Chime app is easy enough, here are some tips on how to make the process as painless as possible.

• Start by smoothing out any creases or wrinkles on the check itself
• Place it on a clean surface, such as a table or desk
• Have no other items visible around the check
• Make sure there’s good light for better visibility
• All corners of the check should be inside the frame and visible in the photo
• Focus your camera properly

The types of checks that are most likely to fail to deposit are the ones with textured or patterned backgrounds.

READ ALSO: The 7 Online Banks Like Chime (Chime Bank Alternatives)

Who Can Deposit Checks on Chime App

Not everyone is qualified for Chime check deposits. The company will determine whether or not you can use the Mobile Check Deposit feature based on the following:

• Chime accounts history 
• Direct deposit history and amounts 
• Other risk-based factors 

An example that illustrates who can use check deposits is if you’ve received a direct deposit of at least $1 from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer (Uber, Doordash…), or government benefits (including Child Tax Credit incomes).

Employer and payroll provider and government benefit deposits must be received as ACH transfers. While gig economy incomes can be either ACH transfers or OCT.

The Mobile Check Deposit feature in your app will be enabled one day after you receive your qualifying deposit. 

Interestingly, tax refunds don’t count as qualifying direct deposits for some reason.

What Types of Checks Can be Deposited With Chime?

Chime’s Mobile Check Deposit will only work checks that:

• Are payable only to you in US dollars
• Aren’t altered, and don’t have illegible items and or signs of fraud
• Haven’t been earlier deposited at another establishment
• Are from a US financial institution 
• Aren’t older than 6 months
• Aren’t a digital reproduction or copy
• Weren’t created remotely

In short, only a US paper check not previously deposited and that isn’t a copy, wasn’t abused or altered, and that isn’t older than six months can be deposited. 

READ NEXT: How Does Chime Make Money? | Over $200 Million Revenue

What Kinds of Checks Aren’t Supported

There are some types of checks that won’t work with Chime’s Mobile Check Deposits. They include: 

• Savings bonds
• Travelers’ cheques
• Starter checks or counter checks
• Money orders
• Non-negotiable instruments (like promissory notes)

What if my Check Gets Denied?

Even if you follow all the instructions and have a valid check, it may be rejected for a number of reasons. 

In that case, you’ll get a push notification and an email with more details. You may also be able to resubmit your check again.

How to Endorse a Check

Endorsing a check is easy enough and here are some tips on how to do it properly in order to reduce delays and protect yourself against fraud:

• Wait to endorse your check up until you’re ready to make the deposit. When you sign the check, it can be cashed or deposited by anybody, even if they aren’t the payee
• Double-check the name on the front of the check matches the name you sign on the back. No spelling or punctuation errors
• Try keeping your signature on the line along with other relevant information
• Make sure to pay attention to the instructions on the app

Are Chime Mobile Check Deposits Safe?

Mobile check deposit is as safe and secure as any different online or mobile banking app and tool.

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Banks and financial companies adhere to strict laws regarding security however, the security breach often happens on the client side. 

For that reason, to make mobile check deposits safer, you have to keep your private information safe and beware of scams.

Do NOT use public WiFi when accessing and using your mobile banking app. Use unique passwords and try to change them regularly. Don’t leave your smartphone unblocked and unattended and lock it using a passcode, pattern, fingerprint, or facial recognition.

READ ALSO: Payday Loans That Accept Chime [The 6 Best Apps]

Are Chime Mobile Check Deposits Available Instantly?

Chime’s Mobile check deposits are usually pending verification when you upload them and aren’t cleared straightaway. However, sometimes they are instantly placed into your account. There’s no way of knowing beforehand.

A standard reason for delays is if you deposited your check too late in the day and missed the cutoff time. In that case, you might have to remain patient for an extra business day for the check to clear.

It’s also not uncommon to wait for your check deposit from two to five business days. It all depends on your relationship with Chime and the availability of their funds.

How Long Should I Keep my Paper Check?

Depositing checks via Chime’s app is super-fast, however, don’t trow the paper check away too soon.

It’s best to keep the physical check for at least 10 days to ensure the money is properly deposited into your Chime account. 

If you throw away the check too early and the company (Chime isn’t a bank) asks you questions about the check and you don’t have it anymore, it could lead to difficulties.

Can You Send a Check Using Your Chime Account?

You can send checks from your Chime account. All you have to do is to:

1. Open the Chime app
2. Go to “Move Money” 
3. From the “Pay Bills” dropdown list, select “Checkbook”
4. Fill in the information for the recipient 
5. Mail your checks within the 50 United States

The service is free and there’s no limits to the amount of checks you can send. They usually arrive anywhere from three to nine business days. 

Conclusion

To deposit a check with Chime entails opening the Chime app and choosing the Mobile Check Deposit option. After that, it’s as easy as taking a photo with your phone. Literally!

Adrian Volenik is a fintech enthusiast who loves testing and reviewing digital banking apps and financial products in general.

How many digital banking accounts can one man have?

Not enough, if you ask Adrian. As his wallet will soon explode if he doesn’t cut back on the number of cards.

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