Bank of America will not deposit a third-party check into your account
Bank of America stopped accepting third-party checks in 2018. A third-party check is one made out to someone else that they sign over to you. Even if the original payee endorses it and signs the back, Bank of America will reject it at the teller window or through mobile deposit.
This policy applies to all personal and business accounts. The bank treats third-party checks as a fraud risk because they cannot verify the chain of ownership or confirm that the original payee authorized the transfer. If someone tries to deposit a third-party check at Bank of America, the deposit will be declined.
Most other major banks—including Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank—have the same policy. Third-party checks are now uncommon in banking because of these restrictions and because digital payment methods have replaced them in most situations.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America will not accept third-party checks under any circumstances, whether deposited in person or through mobile deposit.
- The original payee can cash the check themselves at their own bank, or the check writer can issue a new check made out directly to you.
- If you receive a third-party check, ask the person who wrote it to write a new check in your name instead—this is the fastest solution.
- Some credit unions and smaller banks may still accept third-party checks, but you will need to contact them directly to confirm their policy.
What to do if someone gives you a third-party check
Your best option is to ask the original payee to deposit the check into their own account and then send you the money through a digital transfer, such as Zelle, a wire transfer, or an ACH payment. This takes one or two business days and avoids the third-party check problem entirely.
If that is not possible, ask the person who wrote the check to issue a new check made out directly to you. This is the simplest path and requires only that they contact their bank or write a new check by hand. Most people can do this within a day or two.
Do not ask the original payee to sign the back of the check and hand it to you expecting Bank of America to accept it. Even with a signature and the words "Pay to the order of [your name]," the bank will refuse the deposit.
Why banks stopped accepting third-party checks
Third-party checks create a chain of liability that banks want to avoid. When a check passes through multiple hands, the bank cannot easily verify that each person in the chain had the right to sign it. Fraud becomes harder to trace, and disputes over who actually authorized the payment become difficult to resolve.
Check fraud involving third-party checks also increased over time. Scammers would forge endorsements or claim they never authorized the transfer. Banks decided the cost of investigating these disputes and the risk of loss outweighed the small number of legitimate third-party check transactions.
The shift to digital payments also made third-party checks unnecessary. Zelle, ACH transfers, and wire transfers all move money directly from one account to another without requiring a physical check to change hands. These methods are faster, more secure, and leave a clear digital record.
If you need to receive money from someone
Ask the person to send the money through Zelle if you both use it—most major banks, including Bank of America, offer Zelle at no cost, and transfers arrive within minutes or one business day. If Zelle is not an option, request an ACH transfer or wire transfer through their bank.
If the person insists on using a check, ask them to make it out directly to you, not to someone else. You can then deposit it at Bank of America through the mobile app, at an ATM, or at a teller window.
If you are a business owner and need to receive checks from clients or customers, you can set up a business account with Bank of America and deposit checks made out to your business name. Personal checks made out to other people still cannot be deposited.
What happens if you try to deposit a third-party check at Bank of America
If you attempt to deposit a third-party check through the mobile app, the deposit will be rejected during processing. You will receive a notification that the check cannot be accepted, and the check will be returned to you.
If you try to deposit it in person at a teller window, the teller will tell you immediately that Bank of America does not accept third-party checks and will hand the check back to you. There is no exception process or appeal—the policy is absolute.
Do not attempt to deposit a third-party check multiple times or at different branches. The result will be the same, and repeated attempts may trigger a fraud alert on your account.
Other banks and credit unions may have different policies
Some smaller banks and credit unions still accept third-party checks, though this is becoming rare. If you have an account at a different financial institution, contact them directly to ask about their third-party check policy before you receive a check.
Even if another bank accepts third-party checks, they may impose limits—such as requiring the original payee to be present, limiting the amount, or requiring additional documentation. Ask what their specific requirements are.
If you frequently receive third-party checks, switching to a bank or credit union that accepts them may be worth considering. However, most people find it simpler to ask the check writer to issue a new check or to use digital payment methods instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a third-party check if I sign it and the original payee signs it?
No. Bank of America will not accept third-party checks regardless of how many signatures are on the back. The policy applies to all third-party checks without exception. Ask the original payee to deposit it themselves or ask the check writer to issue a new check in your name.
What if the check is from a government agency or a large company?
Bank of America's third-party check policy applies to all checks, regardless of who wrote them. Government checks, insurance settlement checks, and corporate checks are all subject to the same rule. The solution is the same: have the original payee deposit it or request a new check.
Can I cash a third-party check at a Bank of America branch instead of depositing it?
No. Bank of America does not cash third-party checks either. You cannot convert a third-party check to cash at any Bank of America location. The original payee would need to cash it at their own bank or deposit it into their account.
Will Bank of America ever change this policy?
Bank of America has maintained this policy since 2018 with no indication of change. The shift away from paper checks and toward digital payments makes it unlikely the bank will reverse course. Plan on using digital transfers or requesting a new check instead.
What if I receive a check made out to my business and my name together?
If the check is made out to "John Smith and ABC Company," both names must match your Bank of America account exactly. If you have a business account in that name, you can deposit it. If the names do not match your account, Bank of America will reject it.