See, sometimes it happens where you just forget what signature of yours is linked with the bank account you’re trying to access, right? It could be that it is just an old account and the signature you used to open the bank account is much different than the one you use now, or maybe, you just want to confirm which signature version is used in your current account so that your checks don’t bounce and you can carry on using your bank account to the fullest without any issue. That’s the very reason people search like how to check the signature in your bank account, and if you searched the same and ended up here, well, good for you because we’re about to go over just that. So, let’s just get to that.
First Of All, Why Do Banks Still Rely On Signature?
As you may already know a signature isn’t just some mark you put on a piece of paper, it is more like your personal stamp of approval or something like that. In almost all cases, signatures are different for every person, which depends upon how you write, how you hold the pen, how much pressure you put in when writing, and things like that. And these are the very things that make every person’s signature kinda unique. This is precisely what the banks rely on to make sure that when you’re accessing your bank account, it is actually YOU who can have access by verifying your signature and no one else.
All in all, we’d say for sure that when you sign that signature card, it becomes the bank’s reference point. Like, whenever you write a check, withdraw cash in person, or maybe authorize a big transaction, in all of these cases, you’d have to use your signature, and when you do, the bank system checks back on the signature that you used at the time of opening the account to verify that it is really you who’s doing these action and not a person who’s using your identity.
Are Signatures Really That Good?
Well kinda yes, because signatures are unique to every person out there, signatures become the first method of authentication that it is really you who’s trying to access a particular bank account. And the good bits about signatures? Here:
- First of all, a signature kinda works like two-factor authentication, where you provide your signature to the bank to authorize some action, and the bank system then goes back and checks on your actual signature to make sure it is the right person trying to access the account and not a shady or phony person. Though yes, it is true that signatures aren’t foolproof, but still, they’re kinda the first way to verify someone’s identity.
- In the case of big businesses, this signature thing becomes even more interesting. How? Well, in most cases, with big businesses, banks usually use the dual-signature requirement. What’s that now? Oh, it’s just a method where to complete an action or transaction, it requires two people’s signatures. And if you think about it for a sec, that’s pretty smart actually.
- For banks though, signatures work as a way of pinpointing a transaction and making sure that YOU were the one who authorized a transaction. Why? Well, this is mostly useful when there is some legal dispute over some transaction. So that’s that too.
How to Check Your Signature at the Bank
Alright, now to the part that you came here for, right? You were searching for the method or way to check your signature at the bank and make sure it is the one that is in your mind, and not the different one. Well, the thing is, it is actually super easy to check your signature, here:
- First of things first, all you need to do is just visit your bank’s nearby branch with an ID of yours, let’s say a driver’s license, passport, or anything like that. Make sure it has a picture of yours on it. If that’s what you’re taking to the bank, then you’re good for the most part.
- Now, you have to let the bank people know that you are there to check or verify your bank signature. And since this is a super common thing, they’ll just straight-up guide you. Sure, first, they’ll confirm that it is actually YOU who has an account with them, so in this case, make sure you know your account details and have your photo ID by your side. They’ll definitely ask for these details and proceed next.
- Once they have verified that you’re a customer who already has a bank account with them, they’ll hand you a piece of paper to sign on it. Once you do that and hand over the piece of paper to them, they’ll match it with your signature that is linked to your bank account. If it is the same signature, they’ll let you know, but if not, they’ll be more than happy to assist you with updating the signature.
Note: In most banks, they let you check the bank signature through their online banking portal as well. But because this depends upon which bank you’re a customer with, the method of checking that can be different for all. So, while you’re at it, like if you can’t go visit a bank branch right now, then give this method a try too.
Want To Get Rid Of This Signature Remembering Headache?
Well, it could very well be that you check your signature now, and confirm that it is the one that you’re currently using everywhere else, then a few years later, you might forget it once again. So what’s the solution? Like, will you keep on verifying it like this for the rest of your life? Well, no, actually! You can use your thumbprint instead to access your bank account, which is also a super smart way, but somehow people nowadays think that it is for uneducated people who don’t know how to read or write. Well, it is kinda the exact opposite. So, while you’re at it, we’ll say you should give this one a try too.
