Checkwriter

A checkwriter may refer to:

A person who physically writes a check or cheque. The check writer is also known as the "", "signer", "maker", the drawer, or the "account holder". The signer or presenter of the check, or person who prints and authorizes the check.

In U.S. law, in Article 3 of the Uniform Commercial Code, codified in most U.S. State statutes, a check is a form of negotiable instrument evidencing an order (as opposed to a promise) to pay a fixed amount of money, according to §3-104(a).

§3-104(f) specifies that

(i) a draft, other than a documentary draft, payable on demand and drawn on a bank; or
(ii) a cashier's check or teller's check.

An instrument may be a check even though it is described on its face by another term, such as 'money order.'

Such an order is issued by the drawer.

§3-103(a)(3) specifies that

A check writer (also known as a "ribbon writer", "check signer", "check protector" or "check embosser"), is a physical device for protecting a check from unauthorized alteration of either the amount or the authorizing signature.

Devices of this type that use various technologies are also known as check protectors, check punches, and check perforators. A check punch punches holes in the shapes of numerals. A check perforator punches small round holes that form numerals.

A check writer, or ribbon writer, leaves a numerical or written value in the payment amount field of a check that is very difficult to alter. This is accomplished by the machine applying downward force on the check and leaving very small inked shreds in the paper.

The first check protector was introduced in 1870. The best known check protectors in the early 1900s had the brand name Protectograph (the Todd Company, Rochester, NY). Other well known manufacturers in the industry were F & E Hedman and the Paymaster Company (both out of Chicago, IL)

The person preparing a check positions the check in the check writer so its print-heads are centered over the field on the check where the amount of the check would otherwise be written out in words. Using a series of levers or buttons on the checkwriter's control panel, the operator enters the monetary amount of the check. This amount is then printed onto the check by the operator pulling a lever on the side of the unit (or by pressing a button on electric units). This brings the print-heads down upon a wide inked (usually multicolor) ribbon through which they print the selected amount on the check, with a prefix and suffix to prevent a fraudster from adding extra digits. Entering $6,762.64, for example, will produce text reading "TheSum6762dol's64cts".

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