I wrote a check for almost $1000 last month. The correct amount was deducted from my account, but the check image is completely illegible. It’s impossible to read the date, the amount (in numbers or written), the recipient, or my signature. I called the bank and got the usual unsatisfactory response: that’s the only copy we have, that’s what the other bank sent us, etc. I told the representative that this was not a satisfactory response. It seems to me that if the check can’t be read, then they should have rejected it. She said that they would “do research” and get back to me.
Any suggestions? I need to have proof of payment of this amount, which is why I tried to get the check image.
Part of the information on the back can be read, some of it can’t. I’m sure it came through another bank, which presumably made the image. I think that my bank should not have honored this check if it can’t be read.
Check clearing process is very much automated now. Banks aren’t verifying that check copy is legible (or your signature against that on your signature cards). Its more efficient to process checks that way and deal with the incredibly few problem checks. Would be much more expensive to check everything (which in vast, vast majority of the cases is all fine anyway). Not necessarily helpful for your situation but it is reality.
Have you checked with the party that you paid with the check? They should be able to provide evidence to you that the amount was paid to them.