When a check is written, what is the law if the written amount differs from the number amount? For example, if a check says $10.00 in numerals, but "One Hundred and 00/100" is written out, what is the payable amount of that check?
The legal amount of a check, when there is a discrepancy in the two dollar amounts, is the amount in words. In your example, the check's legal amount is $100.00 (one hundred dollars). Section 3-114 of the Uniform Commercial Code, as adopted by most states, reads "If an instrument contains contradictory terms, typewritten terms prevail over printed terms, handwritten terms prevail over both, and words prevail over numbers."
BankingQuestions.com is a free service made possible by the generous support of our advertisers. Advertisers are not responsible for site content. Please help us keep BankingQuestions.com FREE by supporting our advertisers. When you see an ad for a product or service you may have an interest in, click through to learn more.