Free Checking FAQ's

Q: How do I know if a check was paid?
A: If you have Overdraft Privilege on your account and the check amount plus the standard fee was within your Overdraft Privilege limit, your check was most likely paid. However, certain requirements must be met before Overdraft Privilege will activate (please refer to Consumer's Overdraft Privilege Policy).  You can contact the Telephone Teller at (847)249.4569, or our office at (877)275.2228 (ASK.CCCU).

Q: What happens when a check gets returned?
A: When there are insufficient funds in an account to clear a check, the check gets returned to the presenting institution. Then, depending on the financial institution's policy, they can resubmit the check or they can return it to the payee. Most often they do try a second time before returning it to the payee. When you discover you've had a check returned, it is best to wait and see if the check will be presented a second time before trying to issue the payee another form of payment.

Q: Why does the Credit Union post my checks before my deposit?
A: All checks, debits, and automatic withdrawals clear automatically. Debits and automatic withdrawals usually clear early in the morning, while checks clear in the afternoon. Whether or not these items clear depends on the available balance at that time. We do not manually post checks or pre-authorized debits.

Q: What do I do if my check cleared for the wrong amount?
A: This was caused by an encoding error at the institution where the check was deposited. Encoding is the process that prints the amount of the check on the bottom of the check. Computer systems clear checks based on the encoded amount. Because of the high volume of checks they have to process, sometimes a check is encoded for the wrong amount. When this happens you will need to notify the Share Draft Department. We can adjust your account and the account of the payee.

Q: Why do my checks have a different account number than my statement?
A: The account number on your statement is your Consumers Membership account number.  The number at the bottom of your checks contains additional information to assist in routing checks, direct deposits, or ACH debits into the appropriate suffix.  When providing your account information to vendors for electronic payments or deposits, you should use your account number at the bottom of your checks..

Q: Why was my electronic check payment sent back "Refer to Maker"?
A: Refer to Maker is a return code and does not mean NSF (non-sufficient funds). Some companies may try to tell you CCU "refused" the check or it was an NSF, but if the check was stamped Refer to Maker it has to do with the account number on the check. Some common mistakes companies make are putting "50" in front of the account number instead of "00000" or leaving off the last digit of your account number (which is necessary to clear the check).  Be sure to verify the account number reads the same as the account number on the bottom of your check when making an electronic check payment.

Q: I postdated a check and it cleared before that date.
A: Checks are cleared by computers. The computers do not look at the date of the check. Also, Federal Regulations on check clearings state you cannot post-date checks. Unless you have arrangements with a company to hold your check, you need to have the money available in the account when you write the check.

Q: How do I obtain copies of my cancelled checks?
A: For recent copies you can pull up the image on your computer through our Online Banking service. Use the Account History link within Online Banking, search within your draft account, click on the draft number. Consumers can provide copies of the front and back of any canceled check paid within the past seven years. There is no fee to view & print check images though the Online Banking service. There is a fee for each copy of a cleared check after the third copy requested through a credit union employee.

Q: How do I stop payment on a certain check or series of checks?
A: You can use our Online Banking Service to place a stop payment on a check, by clicking on the Stop Payment link.  You can also use the Telephone Teller at (847)249.4569.  Otherwise, stop in or call the credit union at (877)275.2228 (ASK.CCCU).  You need to provide us with the check number(s), dollar amount and payee of the check(s), and the date. We can place a stop payment effective for six months. A signature is required within two weeks for stop payments placed with an employee. If we do not receive a signature, the stop payment will expire after 14 days. Stop payments are subject to a fee per check unless there is a series of check numbers and the numbers are in sequential order (Ex: 250, 251, 252, etc.), there is only one charge for the series. If the checks are stolen, and you provide us a copy of the police report, we can waive the fee. You can renew an existing stop payment at no charge by contacting CCU before the initial six month stop payment expires.

Q: If I bounce a check and my funds are available in my savings accounts (primary savings account, money market account, or secondary savings account) will the funds transfer to my checking account to cover the check?
A: Depending upon the way your account is set up, the funds may transfer.  If your account is setup to transfer funds from your primary savings account, money market account, or secondary savings account, the system will transfer the funds and charge your account a transfer fee.  If you have questions on your account setup, contact the credit union at (877)275.2228 (ASK.CCCU).