Credit Counseling - Debt Counseling 
Debt Management

Consumer Credit Tips

Checking Accounts

Important Points To Remember:

1. Do not write checks unless you have enough funds in your account, and make sure you write clearly and always with a pen.

2. Always record  all checks written in your check book and keep checks in a save place.

3. To help minimize the chances of bouncing a check, many banks provide overdraft protection.

4. Overdraft protection draws from available funds in savings, line of credit, or credit card if you overdraw your account.

5. Use the telephone, Internet, or ATM to get the most current information about your account.

6. Utilize direct deposit for a convenient and secure way to get access to your money without making a trip to the bank.

7 Allow enough time to make certain the checks clear (usually 3-5 days, depending on the institution).

8. If your checks are lost or stolen, report it immediately to your financial institution. Check periodically for missing checks from your checkbook.

9. Keep all financial information including banking/checking statements for 3-5 years. If you are writing more than 10 checks a month consider online banking to save time.