Would you please define the returned check terms "Refer to maker" and "Unauthorized" for me?
"Unauthorized" is the simpler of the two. It usually means that the bank doesn't recognize the signature on the check as that of a person authorized to sign checks on the account. It may also mean that checks are not authorized to be used against the account in question (for example, a check drawn on a savings account).
"Refer to maker" is a term sometimes used by a returning bank when it doesn't want, or is unable, to provide the true reason for bouncing a check. This is used when a bank has returned a check after the deadline for doing so. It is also used when the bank suspects that a check is fraudulent, but is unwilling to say so, just in case it's wrong. The message being sent by the bank in such cases is "contact the person who wrote this check to find out why we didn't pay it."
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