# How do Smart ATM's accurately Deposit handwritten checks? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 20, 2019, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-smart-atms-accurately-deposit-handwritten-checks/835818 "2019-06-20T22:36:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-smart-atms-accurately-deposit-handwritten-checks/835818/1 "2019-06-20T22:36:23Z")
I’ve been leery of trusting a ATM for deposits. The consequences of a failed deposit can cause debit cards and checks to bounce. Regions put out this short video. Says no deposit slip or envelope needed. ATM totals the deposit. Looks awesome. I know OCR scanners do a pretty good job with printed font text. I receive & deposit handwritten checks. How can the Smart ATM total my deposit? Should I wait until the bank opens and use a teller? This video says Cash or up to 25 checks can be inserted at one time. It doesn’t say if they are printed or handwritten checks. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A0i25M9lWo) ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-smart-atms-accurately-deposit-handwritten-checks/835818/2 "2019-06-20T22:39:41Z")
I’ve deposited hand-written checks and had the ATM recognize the amount. Other times, I’ve had it fail to recognize the amount and just ask me to type it in. Never a problem. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-smart-atms-accurately-deposit-handwritten-checks/835818/3 "2019-06-20T22:41:31Z")
Every time I’ve deposited a check at an ATM, it has told me the amount it read and asked me to verify that is correct. On occasion, it has said it can’t read the amount and asked me to input it. The ATM has also always offered to cancel the deposit and return the checks. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-smart-atms-accurately-deposit-handwritten-checks/835818/4 "2019-06-20T22:46:36Z")
Ok that’s very reassuring that I can cancel if needed. It would be very upsetting to have a large check taken by the machine and not deposited. I’ll try a deposit tonight. Just one check and see how it goes. Regions has significantly cut their business hours. They used to stay open till 6pm. Now they close at 4. They no longer open on Sat at all. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-smart-atms-accurately-deposit-handwritten-checks/835818/5 "2019-06-20T22:49:19Z")
I recently deposited a check by phone, and I typed in the wrong amount - the OCR read the correct amount, but I thought it was $50 less, and that is the amount I typed in. The deposit was recorded for the amount I typed in, but within 2 days the bank had manually corrected it for the correct amount. Note that the software flagged the inconsistent amounts, and I ignored the warning… ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-smart-atms-accurately-deposit-handwritten-checks/835818/6 "2019-06-20T23:06:46Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Ok that’s very reassuring that I can cancel if needed. > > It would be very upsetting to have a large check taken by the machine and not deposited. > > I’ll try a deposit tonight. Just one check and see how it goes. > > Regions has significantly cut their business hours. They used to stay open till 6pm. Now they close at 4. They no longer open on Sat at all. The machine gives you a receipt noting the deposit. How could you not know if it worked or not? If possible, download your bank’s app and deposit checks with your phone. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2019, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-smart-atms-accurately-deposit-handwritten-checks/835818/7 "2019-06-21T00:08:17Z")
nvm ---
**Author:** ![KMS94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ad7895/32.png) [@KMS94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KMS94)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2019, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-smart-atms-accurately-deposit-handwritten-checks/835818/8 "2019-06-21T00:09:10Z")
I also recommend using your bank’s app to deposit checks by phone. I do it once a month, for a rental check I receive. It’s very simple, taking photos of both sides of the check, enter the amount and done. Even if I had to repeat the process for multiple checks, it’s still way more convenient than a trip to an ATM. Plus, I never lose possession of the original check, in case there is ever a problem. So far, there never has been. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2019, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-smart-atms-accurately-deposit-handwritten-checks/835818/9 "2019-06-21T00:12:50Z")
I’ve never had a problem with the ATM reading the check. One of the receipt options is to print a copy of the check, so even that isn’t a problem. One exception was when it was a very big check. Then I had to enter the amount by hand. I think it might not have believed it read it correctly. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2019, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-smart-atms-accurately-deposit-handwritten-checks/835818/10 "2019-06-21T00:17:51Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’ve been leery of trusting a ATM for deposits. The consequences of a failed deposit can cause debit cards and checks to bounce. > > Regions put out this short video. Says no deposit slip or envelope needed. ATM totals the deposit. Looks awesome. > > I know OCR scanners do a pretty good job with printed font text. > > I receive & deposit handwritten checks. How can the Smart ATM total my deposit? Should I wait until the bank opens and use a teller? > > This video says Cash or up to 25 checks can be inserted at one time. It doesn’t say if they are printed or handwritten checks. > > [https://youtu.be/2A0i25M9lWo](https://youtu.be/2A0i25M9lWo) Using machine learning algorithms to train a computer to recognize handwritten numerals was one of the earliest and easiest applications of that technology. Basically, you give a learning algorithm thousands of examples of handwritten numerals and it figures things out for itself. I took a basic course in machine learning and that was the final project in my class. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2019, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-smart-atms-accurately-deposit-handwritten-checks/835818/11 "2019-06-21T00:36:50Z")
Cheques, wow still using them. Haven’t seen one down under for years. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2019, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-smart-atms-accurately-deposit-handwritten-checks/835818/12 "2019-06-21T05:12:40Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > Using machine learning algorithms to train a computer to recognize handwritten numerals was one of the earliest and easiest applications of that technology. Basically, you give a learning algorithm thousands of examples of handwritten numerals and it figures things out for itself. I took a basic course in machine learning and that was the final project in my class. Yes, numbers are pretty easy, compared to letters. There’s only 10 numerals, plus currency sign, decimal point, and comma. And only 3 of the numerals (2, 4, & 7) have common alternative forms. All are printed, no cursive forms with numbers. Recognizing handwritten text is a much harder computer problem. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2019, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-smart-atms-accurately-deposit-handwritten-checks/835818/13 "2019-06-21T07:27:20Z")
> [@sisu](#): > > Cheques, wow still using them. Haven’t seen one down under for years. America is so last century…🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2019, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-smart-atms-accurately-deposit-handwritten-checks/835818/14 "2019-06-21T12:48:35Z")
In case you’re wondering why banking in the US seems so “last century”, one reason is that until [25 years ago](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riegle-Neal_Interstate_Banking_and_Branching_Efficiency_Act_of_1994), banks were chartered and regulated state-by-state, so there were fifty different sets of regulations. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2019, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-smart-atms-accurately-deposit-handwritten-checks/835818/15 "2019-06-21T13:05:47Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > In case you’re wondering why banking in the US seems so “last century”, one reason is that until [25 years ago](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riegle-Neal_Interstate_Banking_and_Branching_Efficiency_Act_of_1994), banks were chartered and regulated state-by-state, so there were fifty different sets of regulations. 51 at least, add federal on top. But that’s no excuse: a lot of things which are regulated country-by-country or region-by-region Elsewhere work the same pretty much throughout Elsewhere, but a different way in the US. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-smart-atms-accurately-deposit-handwritten-checks/835818/16 "2019-06-22T01:05:40Z")
Went by Regions and made my first ATM deposit. Went smoothly and my receipt has a scan of the check printed on it. Deposits made before 8pm get credited the same day. It’s a nice service and will continue using it. I’ve always refused to use online banking. I spend too much time at work cleaning viruses off computers. I’m not going to risk exposing my bank account to a virus or malware. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-smart-atms-accurately-deposit-handwritten-checks/835818/17 "2019-06-22T17:40:08Z")
It always kind of amazes me. I deposit all sorts of handwritten checks, some with exceedingly sloppy and/or distinctive handwriting, and my bank’s ATM has never failed to recognize them properly. Not even once. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-smart-atms-accurately-deposit-handwritten-checks/835818/18 "2019-06-22T17:45:15Z")
> [@sisu](#): > > Cheques, wow still using them. Haven’t seen one down under for years. Haven’t seen any here, either. Now **checks** , on the other hand… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-smart-atms-accurately-deposit-handwritten-checks/835818/19 "2019-06-22T20:15:34Z")
One time I deposited a machine-printed check for $5.xx in an ATM and the ATM thought the check was for $20.00. When it asked me if that was correct, I answered “no” and punched in the correct number. I puzzled over where it got the $20.00 from and, studying the image on my receipt, I noticed that the check had some sort of a sequence number or serial number like “123456-20” printed at the top. The scanner apparently mistook the end of the serial number for the amount. Also, back in the olden days before sending out debit cards became the rage, many rebate fulfillment companies used to send out postcard checks to pay rebates. For a while my local ATM had a hard time finding the amount on those checks, but it somehow learned after a few months. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-smart-atms-accurately-deposit-handwritten-checks/835818/20 "2019-06-22T20:39:58Z")
**ace** , see if your bank offers mobile deposit. My bank does and I haven’t deposited a check with them physically in years. Just take a picture of both sides, type in the amount and hit “Send.” In my account in minutes. Haven’t had it reject a hand-written check yet, either. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-smart-atms-accurately-deposit-handwritten-checks/835818.md?page=2)