If you’re running low on check pages, you can reorder them from your bank, credit union, or certified retail stores.
But is it safe to order checks online, given the rise in check fraud and the risk of sharing sensitive information via the internet?
As with any online transaction, the key to safe online check ordering is being security-conscious. You must review the website to ensure it’s a secure place to order checks and use any other available methods to protect your checks and finances when ordering.
In this guide, we’ll show you what to look out for when ordering checks online, how to order checks safely, and which sites to get your checks from.
Is Ordering Checks Online Safe?
Yes, ordering a check over the internet is considered safe if you follow safety practices during the process. It’s fast and simple, and you can sometimes even get checks for free. Before ordering checks online, do thorough research to ensure your check provider is secure and reputable. It’s in your best interest to choose a provider with security measures that safeguard the integrity of the checks until your order gets to you.
Key Safety Elements To Look Out for on a Check-Ordering Site
Because there are many check-printing sites today, it’s not uncommon to run into some that put you at risk of check fraud. Still, if you exercise caution and know what to look out for, you can spot unsafe sites and steer clear of them when ordering online.
Look out for these elements on the site you choose to protect your assets:
- “HTTPS” or the padlock symbol
- CPSA icon, BBB badge, and DigiCert secured mark
- Correct URLs
“HTTPS” or the Padlock Symbol
Check if the site is secure by looking out for the padlock symbol or “https” in the site’s URL. Wait for the site to load to view the padlock, or click on the site information symbol beside the URL to view the site’s security level.
A secure site will contain either “https” before the rest of its URL or the padlock symbol to indicate it’s secure. Sites with only “http” are less secure than “https” sites, and your information may be at risk. The padlock indicates that your data is encrypted and safe from intruders.
CPSA Icon, BBB Badge, and DigiCert Secured Mark
Look out for these symbols and badges to confirm that the site is a certified check issuer. A Check Payment Systems Association (CPSA) icon indicates that the provider is a legitimate association member and embeds additional security features on their checks.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) badge shows it’s a BBB-accredited site. Finally, the DigiCert Secured mark indicates the site has been validated and vetted for parsing sensitive data.
Correct URLs
Carefully review URLs on your chosen site, ensuring the website of the provider is valid. Scammers often create fake but similar site URLs to scam unsuspecting individuals. For instance, they can change a popular site’s URL like “walmart.com/check-order” to something like “wallmart.com/checck-order.”
If you order checks via the fake check-ordering site, you risk losing your money or sharing confidential financial information with fraudsters.
Secure Sites To Order Checks
If you need a safe place to order your checks online, visit the websites below to discover the prices and types of checks offered:
- Checks Unlimited
- Sam’s Club
- Checks.com
- Bradford Exchange
- Walmart
- Credit unions
- Online printers
Checks Unlimited
This website offers personal and business checks at an affordable rate. You can get up to 100 single checks for $18.99 and 100 duplicate checks for $24.99. You can also enjoy 45% off if you purchase as many as four boxes at once. Checks Unlimited also provides other features like checkbook accessories, deposit slips, and unique check designs.
Sam’s Club
If you’re looking for high-security personal and business checks in bulk, you can check out Sam’s Club. You’ll find a wide variety of designs, from basic to impressive. On this site, checks cost $13.20 for 480 single checks, while 330 duplicate checks go for $13.96.
Checks.com
At Checks.com, you’ll get 100 single checks for $4.95 and 100 pieces of duplicate checks for $5.95. The site sells only personal and business checks, and it offers check fraud protection. Checks.com offers standard delivery for free, but your order will get to you in 15 business days— a perk worth considering.
Bradford Exchange
Bradford Exchange is slightly more expensive than other sites, but it offers free deposit slips and a check register with every order. The website charges $19.25 for a box of 120 single checks and $22.95 for 100 duplicates on Bradford Exchange. The site offers personal and business checks and has fraud protection services for your security.
Walmart
Despite it being a retail store, you can safely order checks from Walmart. A pack of 150 single checks costs $7.46, while duplicate checks cost $8.46 for the same quantity. Walmart also offers free shipping for its personal, business, and designer checks.
Credit Unions
Like banks, most credit unions issue checking accounts that allow you to write checks. Visit either one of these credit union sites to order checks safely:
- Navy Federal Credit Union—Navy Federal’s checking and money market savings accounts are eligible for ordering checks. Sign into online banking and place an order from there
- PenFed Credit Union—You can order checks from this union if you have a PenFed checking account or money market savings account. Log into your online PenFed account and follow the prompts
Online Printers
You can also order checks from reputable, certified check printers near you. These are a few you can shop from:
- CheckAdvantage—You can choose from over 1,500 personal check designs when ordering checks from this printer. Their personal and business checks start at $15.84 for a box of 150 checks
- VistaPrint—Ordering checks from VistaPrint is safe since they’re registered with the CPSA. You can choose from over 100 designs at a starting cost of $15 for 150 checks. Standard shipping starts at $5.99 for orders that total $25 and below. If you choose this plan, you’ll receive the checks within eight business days. Note that shipping rates can increase depending on your order total. Orders that cost $100.01–$500+ are eligible for free shipping
Safe Places To Order Checks Online for Free
If you want to order check pages for free, you can get some at specific banks or financial institutions, such as:
- Bank of America
- Chase Bank
- Wells Fargo
Bank of America
You can get free checks from Bank of America if you’re a Preferred Rewards client. Some specific types of accounts may also be eligible for free checks and discounts. Find all the relevant information, such as catalogs, the ordering process, and the costs attached to ordering specific checks from Bank of America here.
Chase Bank
You need a Chase Premier Plus or Chase Sapphire checking account to qualify for free checks with this bank. Note that if you want a free order, you need to choose an original Chase Bank design because customized ones come at a cost.
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo customers with Premier Checking and Prime Checking accounts can get free checks. The checks are called Wells Fargo Personal Wallet checks—you can order yours online via the bank’s online banking service.
Safe Way To Order Checks Online
Once you’ve done your research and found a check issuer that ticks the safety boxes from the list above, the next step is to order your check. The following table explains the steps you need to take:
| Steps To Order | How To Do It |
| Visit the secure site | Find your site of choice online and log in if necessary to buy your checks |
| Choose check type and design | Pick your preferred type of check (whether business, personal, etc.) and its accompanying design. Also, choose the specific security features you need on your check |
| Select the number of checks you need | Choose how many checks you need based on your usage frequency. If you use only a few slips a month, a box of checks can be sufficient for three years or more |
| Provide your banking information | Enter your personal information on the site after verifying its legitimacy. Double-check your financial information, such as your bank account and routing number, phone number, address, and name |
| Pay and wait for shipping | Enter your shipping details, then pay for your order. The sites often provide information about how long shipping takes |
Stay Safe While You Wait
It’s crucial to keep your funds secure while you wait for your checks to get to you. One way to do this is to move major savings out of your checking account to more secure storage. This is because paper checks that contain your banking information are dangerous in the wrong hands. For instance, check washing thieves often steal packages containing checks from the mail, turn them into counterfeit checks, and scam the owners.
Checking or savings accounts don’t offer sufficient fraud protection if your check is stolen on its way to you—only high-security banking platforms like FortKnox can protect your money from fraudulent activities.
