How Long Does A Check By Phone Take To Clear

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Most banks let you quickly check your balance by phone via an automated system. You can also speak with a customer service representative, but it may take longer to reach a live person. You can expect to pass a security check to get acces to your account information regardless of whether you use an automated system or talk to a banker.

Finding the Phone Number

You can get the designated phone number to call by visiting your bank's website. Depending on the bank, the same toll-free or local number may be used to call the automated service and speak with a representative. The phone number for customer service should also be listed on the back of your debit card, or on documents sent to you by the bank.

Passing the Security Check

Banks have security measures designed to protect customers' accounts from theft and fraud. When you call the automated service or speak with a representative, you must provide identifying information to retrieve your balance. This might include:

Debit card or checking account number. You might need to provide only a certain number of digits such as the last four or eight.
Personal identification number. If you are calling for the first time, you may need to set up your PIN at this time through the automated service or with a banking representative. Your phone banking PIN may differ from your debit card PIN.
Full Social Security number, or a certain number digits such as the last four.

If you cannot answer a verification question, a banking representative may still be able to help you. For example, if you don't know your account number or PIN, you may be asked to verify your address, Social Security number and the last deposit you made to your account.

Using an Automated Service

Typically, you can access the bank's voice response system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When you call, you may be asked to enter identifying information such as your debit card or checking account number, Social Security number and PIN.

Thereafter, the system may give you a list of options to choose from to access your available balance, or it may automatically give you the amount. Your available balance is the amount to go by if you are trying to figure out whether you have enough money in your account to cover a purchase or withdrawal. If you need other information besides your balance, such as account activity, follow the system prompts.

Speaking to a Banking Representative

You can speak with a banking representative during business hours if you need help accessing your account balance or more information than the automated system provides. For example, if you don't understand why your checking account balances reflects a certain amount, the representative can explain this to you.