Check Approval Procedures

by Mark Hutchenreuther

All employees of ********** must follow these procedures to the letter. If for any reason you are unable to comply with any of these procedures, you must call the Manager on duty to assist you in approving the check. ********** has been burned by bad checks too often in the past, and we will not tolerate this in the future. Although State Law allows us to collect up to three times the face value of the bad check, we cannot collect this unless we are able to track down the check writer. Your strict adherence to these procedures will enable us to do that. If you fail to follow these procedures and we are unable to collect on the check, your pay will be docked for the amount of the check.

  1. Verify that the name, address and phone number are on the check and that these are current. Make any corrections or additions on the face of the check. Circle the phone number.
  2. Ask to see a driver's license or other photo identification. Verify that the Customer presenting the check is the person pictured, verify their signature, and check that their height, weight, hair color and eye color are correct. Place a check mark next to the signature.
  3. If the Customer is purchasing alcohol, verify that they are at least 21 years old. Write their birth date above their signature. Circle the birth date.
  4. Record the license or identification number and expiration date on the back of the check. If the identification is a driver's license, write "DL" and the two-letter state abbreviation in front of the license number. If another photo identification is used, specify what it is. Stamp the back of the check with your ********** Check Approval Stamp.
  5. Ask for the place of employment and phone number there. Record these in the spaces provided by the Check Approval Stamp. Enter your name, employee number and check stand number in the spaces provided.
  6. Verify that the check is completely and properly filled out. Make sure that the dollar amount in the $ box matches the written dollar amount and also that it is correct. Make sure that the date is today's date. Circle the dollar amount in the $ box.
  7. On the cash register receipt, place a check mark indicating a check was written for the purchase, and write the check number on the receipt. Circle the check number.
  8. Write the receipt number on the check above the $ box. Place the check in the bottom of your cash drawer and hand the receipt to the Customer. Ask the Customer if they would like to apply for a ********** Credit Card, and give them an application if they so desire.
  9. Be sure to thank the Customer for shopping at ********** and wish them a nice day.
Originally published in the July 1993 issue of Channel M, newsletter of Channel Islands (CA) Mensa