Ever found yourself stuck with a third-party check and a Chime account, unsure how to combine the two or how to deposit that third-party check?
Does Chime Accept Third-Party Checks?
No, Chime does not accept third-party checks for deposits due to security concerns and the risk of fraud associated with them. You can only deposit personal checks, payroll checks, and government-issued checks directly into your Chime account.
But, there are workarounds that still allow you to ultimately deposit the third-party check into your Chime account.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Deposit Fees | No fees for mobile check deposits. |
| Deposit Duration | 1-5 business day |
| Deposit Amount Limits | Maximum of $2,000 per check and $10,000 total per month. |
Is There a Workaround for Depositing Third-Party Checks with Chime?
Yes, there is a simple workaround.
To deposit a third-party check with Chime, you first need to deposit it in a place that accepts third-party checks.
Currently, users report Cash App works for this and then you simply transfer your funds from Cash App to Chime.
Alternatively, you can take the third-party check to the bank that issued the check and cash it there and then take that cash and add it to your Chime account.
Step-by-Step Guide to Deposit Third-Party Checks with Chime
Step 1: Endorse the check
Sign the back of the third-party check. Write “Pay to the order of [Your Name]” below your signature.
Step 2: Visit Another Bank
Find a local bank that accepts third-party checks as Many of the traditional banks allow this, so check with the bank that issued the check.
Step 3: Cash the Check
Now visit the bank and Present the endorsed check at the bank.
Step 4: Deposit Cash into Chime
- Withdraw cash from the bank after cashing the check.
- Deposit this cash into your Chime account.
- You can do this at over 90,000 retail locations like Walgreens or Walmart.
Step 5: Transfer Funds
If you used another bank, you can now transfer the funds from that account to your Chime account using their app or their online banking.
Alternative Option: Use Mobile Check Deposit Apps
- Download a mobile check deposit app, such as Ingo Money or PayPal.
- Take photos of both sides of the endorsed check and follow the app’s instructions to deposit it.
- Once cleared, transfer the funds to your Chime account.
Chime’s Policy on Third-Party Checks
Unfortunately, Chime Pay does not directly accept third-party checks through their mobile check deposit feature. This means that you cannot deposit a check made out to someone else into your Chime account.
Chime’s mobile check deposit feature is specifically designed to accept checks made out to the account holder. This policy helps to ensure the security of your funds and prevent fraudulent activity.
If you receive a third-party check, you must first endorse the check by signing the back of it. Then, you can use the mobile check deposit feature to deposit the check into another bank account that does accept third-party checks. Once the funds are available in your other account, you can transfer them to your Chime account.
While this workaround requires an extra step, it is the easiest and most secure way to deposit a third-party check with Chime.
The Easiest Way to Deposit a Third-Party Check
One of the easiest ways to deposit a third-party check into your Chime account is to first deposit it into Cash App and then transfer those funds to your Chime account.
- Step 1: Open Cash App. Launch Cash App on your mobile device and log in to your account.
- Step 2: Navigate to the Banking Tab. Tap on the “Banking” tab, represented by a building icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Step 3: Select “Deposit Checks”. Scroll down and select the “Deposit Checks” option.
- Step 4: Capture Check Images. Follow the on-screen instructions to capture clear images of both the front and back of the endorsed check.
- Step 5: Confirm Deposit Amount. Enter the amount written on the check and confirm.
- Step 6: Review and Submit. Review all the details to ensure they are accurate, then tap “Submit.”
Like with Chime, it’s important to ensure you check and follow the Cash App terms of service though to ensure you aren’t doing anything that could compromise your account.
How to Transfer Money from Cash App to Chime
Once you have your funds deposited into Cash App, the next thing you have to do is transfer those funds from Cash App to Chime.
Here’s how:
- Step 1: Open Cash App. Launch the Cash App on your smartphone.
- Step 2: Go to ‘Cash Out’. Tap on the ‘Cash Out’ button at the bottom.
- Step 3: Enter Amount. Enter the amount you wish to transfer.
- Step 4: Choose Deposit Speed. Select the deposit speed: instant or standard.
- Step 5: Add Bank Account. Add your Chime bank details.
- Step 6: Confirm Transfer. Confirm the transfer by entering your Cash App PIN or using Touch ID.
3 Alternatives to Deposit a Third-Party Check
Alternatively, you could take the third-party check to the bank that issued the check and have them cash it. Then you could take the cash and have it added to your Chime account.
This is obviously more of a pain but it’s pretty much guaranteed to work without issue.
Once you have the cash, you can utilize one of the following methods to deposit that cash into your Chime account.
1) Using Green Dot to Deposit Cash
- Find a Green Dot location near you. These are usually available in stores like Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS.
- At the Green Dot location, fill out a deposit slip with your Chime account details.
- Give the cash along with the deposit slip to the cashier.
- Confirm the Transaction
You’ll receive a confirmation message from Chime once the deposit is successful.
2) Cash Deposit Partners
- Find a Partner Location. Locate a retail partner that allows Chime cash deposits, such as 7-Eleven or CVS.
- Open the Chime app and navigate to the ‘Move Money’ section to generate a cash deposit code.
- Show the generated code to the cashier at the retail location.
- Hand over the cash to the cashier, who will then complete the transaction.
3) Money Order
- Buy a money order from a post office or a retail location using your cash.
- Write your Chime account details on the money order.
- Mail the completed money order to Chime’s mailing address.
- Wait for a confirmation from Chime that the money order has been received and deposited.
I know it can be frustrating as I have personally gone through this process. But for now, you have to go through the workaround as there are no direct options to cash the check.
