Deposit Checks on Your Prepaid Debit Card: Methods & Options

There are a variety of ways to deposit a check onto your prepaid card, ranging from depositing your check in person to scanning the check using a mobile app. You can even bypass checks altogether and get the check writer to put the cash directly onto your card. Which method is best depends on the capabilities of your card issuer.

How Can I Deposit a Paper Check on a Prepaid Debit Card?

Direct Deposit Check

The easiest method way to deposit checks onto a prepaid card is to get rid of checks altogether! Using a direct deposit puts the cash directly onto your card and it's especially helpful for recurring payments such as tax refunds, paychecks and Social Security benefits. When you received your prepaid card, the issuer likely sent you a direct deposit form disclosing your card's routing number and account number. If you don't have this form, contact your card issuer. Once you know your card's routing and account numbers, give them to the party you're expecting a check from such as the IRS or your employer. You may have to complete the payer's own direct deposit form to complete the process. Once done, the funds will be automatically deposited onto you prepaid card on the scheduled payment date so you don't have to mess around with paper checks.

Deposit Check Inside Branch

If your prepaid card was issued by a financial institution with branch locations, you should be able to deposit your check in person. Simply take the check into the local branch. You will be asked to sign the check, provide identification and disclose the card account you wish the funds to be deposited into. At some banks, such as Chase Bank, you can even deposit your check onto your prepaid card using branch ATMs.

Scan and Load Checks

With some prepaid cards, you can deposit checks by scanning them with your mobile phone. Call your card issuer and ask if they support a mobile app like Ingo Money. If so, all you have to do is download the app onto your phone from either Apple Store or Google Play, then take a picture of the front and back of the check you wish to deposit. Sign the back before taking any photos. The bank will process the check in the usual way and release the funds when then the check is processed, which can range from minutes to days depending on your card issuer.

Bank-to-Bank Transfer

One way to speed up the deposit of a check is by having the funds transferred to your prepaid account directly. Known as an ACH transfer, the person or business sending you money would provide its bank with the routing and account numbers of your prepaid account where you want the funds to be deposited.