Why Can't I Get Canceled Checks or Scans of Checks Anymore?

[BrooklineBiker]

I'm finding it much harder to get canceled checks back from banks or even scanned on to bank statements than it was a few years ago. This has caused problems for me during the recent tax season and I'd like some advice.

I have accounts at two credit unions. Credit union 'A' claims to provide copies of checks on bank statements. However, in practice they don't actually do this. Statements show up without scanned checks and they charge a research fee to fix this. Credit union 'B' doesn't scan checks onto statements but will provide scans to you upon request. That said, it's an aggravation to have to constantly ask for check scans.

I called around to a couple  of other credit unions a bank or two and was disappointed to learn that they don't provide scans or weren't sure if they did. (The latter isnt a confidence builder.)

1.) Are these banks & credit unions outliers? Or is it now the practice among small/local credit unions and banks to not provide scanned checks?

2.) For tax purposes, I need proof that a check was actually cashed. What are my options for unambiguous proof of payment if I can't get the check back without a fee or aggravation or at all?

[Dicey]

Uh, we still use some checks and occasionally need copies of same, usually at tax time. We log into our account, click on our check # and up pops a scan of the check, front and back. Easy-peasy.

[cool7hand]

Same as Dicey

[Sibley]

Huntington Bank and Chase Bank both have images online, not sure about their paper statements. Those are the only banks I can speak specifically for.

Assuming you've looked at the online interface and the images aren't there, you have a couple of options. Change your practice so that you don't need check images, or change banks. You could take pictures of the check before you send it and use the bank statement showing the check cleared, you could pay via some other method (electronic transfer or credit card come to mind).

[snic]

"Are these banks & credit unions outliers? "

Yes. I've been downloading check images from my online accounts for at least 20 years. Your banks are stuck on the early 20th century.

[dbstillings]

BMO has some scanned checks available on line, other checks they do not provide images for, local branch is clueless as to why they can't provide scans for all checks.

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[MaybeBabyMustache]

I rarely write checks, but when I do, they are available online, similar to Dicey. We use Chase.

[cupcakery]

This makes no sense to me.  I deal with 8 different banks/credit unions between my personal and work banking.  All of them have scanned check images either on the bank statement or via online banking.

[yachi]

Same as all the others - I click on the transaction and BAM - an image of the check appears, front and back.  I don't know that I've ever received the canceled checks themselves.  That would confuse me. 

I do read that Banks and credit unions are generally not required by law to return cancelled checks or check images, but that state laws require they hold onto the checks for 7 years.  That's odd to me since they're being used to prove payments for divorce settlement, child support, or other required expenses.

I've never been in a position to submit check images, I've only used it to figure out where the money was going.  If I were in your shoes, I'd run the transactions that need check images through a bank that provides images of the checks - maybe a national bank or credit union in another state that regularly requires canceled checks to prove payments?