If a check’s amount written in words differs from its numeric amount, U.S. consumer guidance says the written amount is used. If your bank paid a check or credited a deposit for an amount that differs from what you expected, that is a separate issue: contact the bank promptly, ask it to investigate, and follow the reporting process in your account agreement. The right next step depends on where the mismatch appears.
First identify where the amounts differ
| Situation | Main evidence | First practical step |
|---|---|---|
| The check’s words and figures conflict | The check image and applicable jurisdiction | As a general U.S. rule, use the amount in words; check with the issuer if the intended amount is uncertain. CFPB guidance and UCC § 3-114. |
| The paid check or deposit credit differs from the check or amount deposited | Statement, receipt, check images, and account agreement | Contact the bank and request an investigation. OCC check-payment guidance and OCC deposit-receipt guidance. |
If the check’s amount in words and figures do not match
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says: “If there is a difference between the words and the numbers, the amount spelled out in the words is used.” Its answer page was last reviewed August 30, 2024, and modified September 4, 2024. That is the general consumer rule for U.S. checks, not a guarantee about every irregular instrument or every state-specific dispute.
UCC § 3-114 sets out a priority for conflicting terms: typewritten terms prevail over printed terms, handwritten terms prevail over both, and words prevail over numbers. State enactments and the facts of the instrument can matter. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) also explains that words prevail over numbers and handwritten terms over printed or typewritten terms in its consumer guidance on check amounts (last reviewed April 2021).
If you received the check
Do not assume the numeric box controls. If you are unsure what the issuer intended, contact the issuer before relying on the payment amount. Keep a clear image of the check for your records.
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If you wrote the check
Contact the payee, explain the mismatch, and arrange a corrected payment or another resolution. The bank may pay the amount written in words even when it differs from the figures, as the OCC’s guidance illustrates.
If a check was paid from your account for the wrong amount
Contact your bank promptly and ask it to investigate. Explain what you believe happened—for example, whether the check itself had conflicting amounts, the check may have been altered, or an amount was encoded incorrectly. Those are different issues and may be handled differently.
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- Review your deposit account agreement for the bank’s required reporting process and timeframe.
- Keep the relevant statement and check image, and write down when and how you notified the bank.
- Ask whether the bank needs an affidavit or other documents. The OCC says an affidavit may be requested when alteration is involved.
There is no single reporting deadline established by the OCC guidance cited here: the applicable notice period varies by bank and state. If you suspect alteration, report it quickly because recovery may depend on how soon the bank is notified. See the OCC’s check-payment guidance and its explanation of incorrectly encoded checks (both last reviewed April 2021).
An encoding error is not the same as an altered check. The OCC says, “Encoding errors are generally handled by adjustments sent between banks.” That describes a general bank-to-bank process, not a guaranteed outcome in every case. Notify your own bank through its investigation process rather than assuming the other institution has already corrected the problem.
If your deposit credit is wrong or missing
Contact the bank with the deposit date, amount, location or channel, and receipt. Include a concise explanation of the difference between what you deposited and what your account shows. Possible causes include an inaccurate deposit slip, an encoding error, or poor image capture, according to interagency deposit-reconciliation guidance issued May 18, 2016.
Gather supporting records
- Keep the receipt, account statement, and any relevant deposit or check images.
- If the deposit included a check, ask the person or business that gave it to you for a copy of the canceled check’s front and back, then share it with the bank along with your receipt.
- Record when you made the deposit, where or how you made it, the amount you intended to deposit, and when you contacted the bank.
A receipt is useful, but it may not conclusively establish how much money was deposited. The OCC recommends supporting a receipt with other records, including the front and back of a canceled check when the deposit involved one. See its guidance for a deposit missing from bank records (last reviewed April 2021).
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The 2016 interagency guidance says regulators expect financial institutions to adopt practices designed to avoid or reconcile deposit discrepancies without disadvantaging customers. It gives an illustration—not a measured statistic—in which a customer deposits $110 but the deposit slip says $100, creating a possible $10 credit difference. The guidance addresses institutions’ practices; it does not guarantee a particular result or replace your account agreement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If the bank does not resolve the mismatch
Ask the bank for its written dispute process, a case or reference number, and a list of any additional documents it needs. Keep copies of correspondence and note the dates of follow-ups. If the matter remains unresolved or the amount is significant, consider contacting the relevant bank regulator or seeking qualified legal advice. The OCC’s consumer pages provide information, not legal advice, and the sources cited here do not establish a universal escalation deadline.
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