Nowadays where technology is gradually evolving in the financial industry, going to the bank to cash a check is no longer necessary; — you can now do an instant mobile check deposit without a bank account directly from your mobile device.
cashing it shouldn't be a hassle given the numerous check cashing facilities out there.
Cashing a check and depositing it in a bank account or requesting physical cash are typically the best ways to cash a check balance.
However, not everyone has access to a bank account or has one at all — recent analysis from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) shows that an estimated 4.5% of U.S. households (approximately 5.9 million) were "unbanked" in 2021 — meaning that no one in the household had a checking or savings account at a bank or credit union.
Thankfully for the unbanked residents, there are some ways to carry out financial transactions such as check cashing without the need for a bank account — your mobile device is all you need.
If you're wondering how to cash a check without having to use a bank account, keep reading.
To help you out, we've compiled the best instant mobile check deposit without a bank account.
Also Read: How to Cash Check Online Instantly Without Bank Account
Table of Contents
5 Best Instant Mobile Check Deposit Without Bank Account
Depositing a check online has never been easier than with Financial Technology companies that offer a check cashing feature to their users.
They typically let you cash your check online and deposit it to a subaccount balance which you can use for your numerous transactions through the app.
You'll also have the option of depositing it in a bank account which is great if you're planning to open a bank account in the future.
That said, if you're looking to do an instant mobile check deposit without a bank account, you might find the below FinTech apps useful.
1. PayPal
PayPal is definitely one of the best international money transfer apps that allow users to send and receive money online to and from any part of the world — you can typically send money anonymously on PayPal.
Besides its money transfer feature, PayPal is one of the FinTech companies that allows users do instant mobile check deposits without bank account through its "Cash a Check" feature.
You definitely can cash a check and mobile deposit it to your PayPal balance.
Of course, you'd be required to have a verified PayPal account to use this feature.
You can cash your check and deposit it instantly which will cause you some features or just wait for 10 days in case you don't need the money in an instant.
To do an instant mobile check deposit without bank account on PayPal:
- Open PayPal on your phone.
- Tap "Wallet" on your PayPal account.
- Tap Cash a check (PayPal will ask for permission to access your location and camera).
- You'll be asked to set up a PayPal Balance account (if you don't have one already).
- Enter the check amount, take a picture of the front and back of your endorsed check with your mobile device, and tap "Next."
- Select how quickly you want to have access to your money and tap "Confirm."
***The time it takes to review a check for approval is typically within a minute, but in rare cases, it could take up to an hour to confirm all the necessary check information. - If your check is confirmed, you'll be asked to mark the front of the check "VOID" and upload another photo proving that it has been voided. Wait until you are prompted to do so, following confirmation that your check was accepted, before writing "VOID" on your check.
- Once everything is completed, a confirmation page will be displayed showing the credit amount and the date the funds will be deposited into your PayPal account.
Once you can your check you can use your PayPal account to start sending money on PayPal; — you can send money anonymously on PayPal as well.
2. Venmo
PayPal's Venmo is another great FinTech company that allows users to send and receive money online safely and conveniently within its operation territories.
Venmo allows users to make instant mobile check deposits without bank account through its "Cash a Check" feature.
However, to qualify for Venmo's Cash a Check feature, you'll need to apply for a Venmo debit card or set up a Direct Deposit for your Venmo account.
Afterward, cashing a check on Venmo is straightforward and the process is the same as that with PayPal.
To do an instant check deposit without a bank account on Venmo:
- Open the Venmo app.
- Go to the go to the "Me" tab by tapping your picture or initials
- Tap "Manage Balance."
- Select "Cash a Check." You'll be prompted to verify your account information if you have not already done so.
- Enter the check amount, use your mobile device to take a picture of the front and back of your endorsed check, and then select "Next."
- Choose how soon you want to be able to access your money (fees may apply).
***The time it takes to review a check for approval is typically within a minute, but in unusual cases, it could take up to 1.5 hours to confirm all the necessary check information. - If your check is accepted, you'll be asked to mark the front of the check "VOID" and upload another photo proving that it has been voided. Do not write "VOID" on your check until you are prompted to do so after you receive confirmation that your check was approved.
- When everything is done, a confirmation page will appear showing the exact amount of the transfer that will be available in your Venmo account.
3. Netspend
Netspend is a prepaid card company that issues prepaid debit cards, which are usually considered alternatives to checking accounts, allowing users to carry out most of their financial transactions.
Netspend is another solution for instant mobile check deposits without a bank account since it offers a "Mobile Check Load" feature that lets Netspend account holders load their check amount onto their prepaid debit cards.
To do an instant mobile check deposit without bank account on Netspend:
- Download the latest version of the Netspend Mobile App.
- Select "Mobile Check Load" from the menu to the left
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
The Netspend app will guide you with steps to take pictures of your check and deposit the amount on your Netspend card.
4. Prepaid Cards
Prepaid cards are basically a type of debit card. Issued by a financial institution or credit card company—Visa, MasterCard, and Discover that allows users to carry out financial transactions without having checking accounts.
A prepaid card is not linked to a bank checking account or to a credit union share draft account.
Most prepaid card issuers feature an online platform that allows cardholders to manage their cards online — some platforms feature a mobile check deposit option that allows users to cash their checks and deposit the amount onto the prepaid card instantly.
Of course, this goes without the need for a bank account.
Also Read: Mobile Check Deposit For Prepaid Card Loading
5. Consider Opening A Bank Account
If in case none of the aforementioned options about instant mobile check deposit without bank account worked out for you, then it's time you consider opening a bank account.
Consider the good side of it — having a bank account comes with lots of benefits and will help you maintain a healthy financial well-being.
Most banks make the account opening process easy and straightforward and you get to do most of the process on your mobile device.
The best is, that most banks let you do instant check deposits to your checking account without incurring any fees (most especially if the check writer banks with them).
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What Banks Have Instant Mobile Check Deposits?
Most U.S. banks such as USBank, and Bank Of America among others, offer a mobile check deposit feature that allows users to cash checks online and deposit the amount to their checking accounts.
Of course, you'll be required to have a bank account with the bank you're looking to cash a check with.
Where Can I Mobile Deposit A Check Instantly?
You can mobile deposit a check either through your online banking platform or through other FinTech companies such as PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, Netspend, etc.
Where Can I Deposit a Check and Get Money Instantly?
The best way to deposit a check and get money instantly is through the check writer's bank.
All you'll need to do is take the check to the writer's bank and request to cash it.
In this way, you'll be able to get the check amount directly out of the check writer's account at their bank and get the cash at hand instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What app will cash a check immediately?
Ingo, PayPal, Venmo are just some of the apps that will let you cash your check immediately at a fee.
How do I deposit a check with my phone without a bank account?
There are a couple of financial apps that let you deposit a check with your phone without a bank account some of them which include: PayPal, Venmo, Ingo, Cash App, Netspend.
Final Thoughts: Instant Check Deposit Without Bank Account
Checks are great ways to receive payments from employers — most of us even receive checks as gifts.
Cashing a check has become even easier and more convenient thanks to mobile check deposit options available nowadays.
We basically need a bank account for mobile check deposits and in case you don't have one yet, you might find it difficult to mobile deposit your check.
Thankfully, some FinTech companies such as PayPal, Venmo, and Netspend make it even easier to cash checks online and mobile deposit them to sub-accounts.
If you're wondering how to use these apps to cash a check, this article compiles what you need for doing instant mobile check deposits without a bank account.