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Direct Deposit
Payroll is the reason people go to work. Thanks to Direct Deposit, payroll doesn't have to be the reason people go to the bank!
Check out the menu below to find out more about Direct Deposit:
Facts about Direct Deposit
Frequently Asked Questions
Resources
Direct Deposit Facts
- It's convenient. You don't have to go to the bank to cash your check.
- It's safe. No more lost, stolen or misplaced checks. (Did you know that nearly 4 million paychecks are lost or stolen each year?)
- It's reliable. Your money will be available the morning of the payment or sooner.
- It saves time. Did you know that people spend as much as 24 hours each year waiting in line to cash their paychecks?
- You can get your paycheck even when you are out sick or out of town – reassured that the checks you've written will clear.
- It helps you manage your money. You can usually have your paycheck deposited directly into more than one account (such as a checking and a savings account), thus helping you set up a savings plan.
But, according
to NACHA-The Electronic Payments Association, the most important
reason of all to use Direct Deposit is that it benefits all
of us –consumers, companies and the country. Thirty
years of success prove that Direct
Deposit is safe, confidential, and allows you to easily manage
your finances.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Direct Deposit?
Direct deposit is a safe and easy way to have your money deposited directly into your checking or savings account. When you use direct deposit, you allow a company or organization to electronically transfer money into your bank account.
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What types of payments can be made by Direct Deposit?
Any ongoing, regularly-scheduled payment, including:
- Salary payments from your employer, Benefit checks from the federal government, such as Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Civil Service, Railroad Retirement and Veterans payments, Benefits issued by state governments, such as retirement and unemployment payments, Pension payments, and
- Income from your investments, such as certificates of deposit, annuities and mutual funds.
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How do I begin using direct deposit?
Ask your employer or government agency if they offer direct
deposit. It's a very simple process to get started. If they
don't offer direct deposit, encourage them to offer it.
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How is money deposited into my account?
The payer's bank will electronically instruct your bank to
credit your account for the amount owed to you on the predetermined
date. Your bank then deposits this money into your account
and charges the payer's bank account. You don't need to have
an account at the same bank as your employer.
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How can I be sure my deposit was made?
Y ou will get a payment stub in writing or electronically
from your employer that lets you know it sent the deposit
to your account. If another type of payer doesn't provide
such a stub or notice, your bank will notify you within two
days after it receives the deposit or will provide you with
a telephone number you can use to check the status of your
deposits. The deposit will also be shown on your monthly bank
statement.
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What if there is a discrepancy between my bank statement
and the payment stub or deposit notice I received from the
payer?
Notify your bank and your payer immediately. You have up to
60 days from your account statement to notify your bank in
person, by telephone, or in writing of an incorrect deposit
amount. If the bank needs more than 10 business days to investigate
and resolve the situation, it must credit the amount in question
to your account during the investigation.
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Can I stop using direct deposit if I change my mind?
Yes. Just contact the payer and they will tell you how to
cancel the service.
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Can the payer take money out of my account or get confidential
information about me through my bank?
Generally, no. Only you can approve the withdrawal of money
from your account, and the payer only has access to the information
you provided. However, if your employer pays you too much
(e.g., if it sends two deposits to your account for one pay
period), it can reverse the incorrect payment without notifying
you within five business days of making the payment. Receiving
your money by direct deposit is actually more confidential
than being paid by check because fewer people are involved
in the delivery and deposit of your payment.
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For more information:
- Consumers: To get a copy of Regulation E, which outlines
the legal requirements for consumers, companies and banks
who use direct deposit, you can contact the Public Affairs
Department at the nearest Federal Reserve Bank or contact
NACHA at 1-800-487-9180.
Employees: If you are interested in having direct
deposit instituted at your company, contact your company's
payroll department about setting up a direct deposit program.
- Payroll Professionals: Some helpful resources on setting up a Direct Deposit program are the American Payroll Association's book (updated annually) The Guide to Successful Electronic Payments
- NACHA-The Electronic Payments Association
- Electronicpayments.org
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