What happens if I write a check with disappearing ink?
Reasonable commercial standards do not require sight-verification of each and every check that passes through a bank. Therefore, so long as you don’t dispute it, the unsigned check will remain cleared. Basically, there are so many bits of paper in the system that no one bank can spend its time looking at each and every item. That’s why customers have to exercise ordinary care in reviewing their statements and checks.
Medieval Maven has it exactly right. KRS: The second time you try, a fraud report will go to the credit reporting agencies, so you can’t get credit or a new credit card. This I’m not so sure about. Something would probably show up on a credit report if a merchant sent you to a collection agency, but I’ve never heard of anything quite like what you’re referring to. However, if your bank got wind of what you were up to, your account could be shut down for suspected fraud and your name reported to a company like ChexSystems, which would make it very hard for you to open a new account elsewhere.
Fraud. Just because the ink disappeared to your eyes doesn’t mean it’s really gone. If your pen is a ballpoint or fountain, examination of the impressions on the check’s surface will plainly reveal any information written that has since faded. Additionally, all inks will leave chemical traces. There are different techniques of revealing them, including heating, infrared imaging, backlighting and chemical bathing. The point is, if any agency with a crime lab is attracted to your situation, you’re boned. Especially if you’re dumb enough to use your own check. Even using your own check isn’t necessary to get caught, though, as nearly everyone has cameras nowadays. And besides, check fraud is soooo 1985.
