Hey there! If you‘re wondering whether you can pay by check at Walmart, you‘ve come to the right place. As a Walmart shopper myself, I know how confusing check policies can be at big retailers. I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know about paying with checks at Walmart stores in 2022.
The Short Answer
Yes, Walmart happily accepts checks as a payment method! However, there are some specific guidelines and limitations you need to be aware of before you whip out your checkbook. Let‘s dive into the details.
How Walmart Processes Check Payments
When you go to pay by check at Walmart, the process will work like this:
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You‘ll hand your check to the cashier when it‘s time to pay. Always have your photo ID ready too!
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The cashier will verify your ID matches the name printed on the check. Make sure it‘s an eligible ID like a driver‘s license, passport, etc.
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Your check then goes through TeleCheck or Certegy verification. These third-party companies screen checks for risk factors like:
- Insufficient funds
- Irregular account activity
- Suspected fraud
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If your check passes verification, the cashier can now process your payment like normal. You‘ll endorse the check by signing it there at the register.
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If your check fails verification, you‘ll have to provide another form of payment. Rejection doesn‘t happen often, but can occur.
Why Do Checks Get Rejected?
According to Visa, less than 1% of checks are rejected after verification. But here are some common reasons yours might get declined:
- Insufficient funds – Your account balance is too low to cover the check amount.
- Account irregularities – Something looks suspicious in your account history.
- New account – Brand new accounts often can‘t pass verification yet.
- Fraud concerns – Something doesn‘t match between your ID, check, and account history.
To pass verification, make sure you have adequate funds, a solid history with your bank, and valid, fraud-free checks. Jotting your driver‘s license number on checks can help too.
Limitations on Check Payments at Walmart
Walmart accepts most check types, but there are some rules to follow:
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No starter checks – Checks must have your name, address, and check number printed on them.
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U.S. banks only – Checks must be from a U.S. bank account in U.S. dollars. No foreign checks.
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Register payment only – You can‘t use checks at the self-checkout; go to a staffed register.
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Daily limits may apply – Your bank may set a daily limit that could impact your purchase amount.
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No temporary checks – Walmart doesn‘t accept temporary checks printed from your account.
So before you shop, double check you have eligible checks and your daily limit is sufficient!
Getting Cash Back with Checks
Luckily, getting cash back on a check purchase at Walmart is totally possible. You can request up to $20 cash back when paying by check.
Here‘s how to do it:
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When it‘s time to pay, tell the cashier you need cash back.
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Write the check for the total amount of your purchase plus the cash back. So if you‘re spending $50 and want $20 back, write the check for $70.
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The cashier can include up to $20 cash along with your change.
Just be aware that cash back is subject to the cash in their drawer. It never hurts to politely ask, "Do you have enough cash in your drawer for $20 back?" first.
Potential Check Fees
Beyond a denied payment, the only other fee to watch for with checks at Walmart is:
- A bounced check fee of $35 if your check is returned for insufficient funds.
Walmart will take this directly from your account electronically. Make sure you have enough in there to cover it!
As long as you have the funds to cover your purchase, you won‘t incur any extra check payment fees at Walmart.
Cashing Checks at Walmart
In addition to accepting checks as payment, Walmart also lets you cash checks. The types of checks Walmart can cash include:
- Payroll
- Government
- Tax refund
- Cashier‘s
- Insurance
- Money orders
- MoneyGram
- Personal checks up to $200
The fee to cash a check at Walmart is $3.74 per check. There may also be limits based on state laws.
So cashing a check gives you quick cash in hand but also involves fees. Paying by check deducts from your account with no fee unless it bounces. Both can be handy options!
Tips for Paying by Check at Walmart
To make sure your check purchase goes off without a hitch, here are some useful tips:
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Bring your photo ID! A matching ID is required for check approval.
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Know your daily limit. Your bank may cap your daily check spending amount.
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Use eligible checks only. No starter or temporary checks, foreign checks, etc.
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Have sufficient funds. Make sure your account balance can cover the check to avoid fees.
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Request cash back politely. Ask first if the cash drawer has enough before writing the check.
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Review your account history. Resolve any issues that might lead to an irregular history and rejection.
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Track your purchases. Log checks in your register so you know what to expect on your statement.
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Pay at the register. Get in line for a staffed register; you can‘t use checks at self-checkout.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, Walmart does accept checks as payment in 2022! Just bring a valid photo ID, use approved check types, and follow the retailer‘s guidelines. With over 4,700 stores across the U.S., paying by check makes shopping at Walmart super convenient.
I hope this detailed overview gave you all the info you need to pay by check seamlessly on your next Walmart trip. Let me know if you have any other questions!
