Self-service check cashing system and method
A self-service check cashing system and method which performs preliminary tests on a check to reduce queue length at attendant check cashing stations. An example method includes obtaining an amount of a check from a customer by the self-service terminal, obtaining information from an image of a check by the self-service terminal, performing a plurality of tests by the self-service terminal, including tests using the information from the image to determine whether the check was properly completed; and displaying instructions to the customer by the self-service terminal to go to an attendant terminal to complete a second phase of the check cashing transaction when the self-service terminal determines that the test results were positive.
1. A method of operating a self-service terminal to perform a check cashing transaction comprising:
obtaining, by software that executes on a processor of the self-service terminal, entered information for a check that is being deposited at the self-service terminal by a customer;
instructing, by the software, the customer to insert the check into the self-service terminal;
obtaining, by the software, a front image and a back image of the check;
determining, by the software, check information from the front image and the back image of the check including a check number;
performing, by the software, a plurality of tests, including tests using the information from the front image, the back image, and the entered information to determine that the check was properly completed, wherein performing further includes performing at least one test that compares read information from a Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) code line provided by a check reader and read from the check that was inserted into the self-service terminal against Optical Character Recognition (OCR) information provided by OCR software from the front image, wherein performing further includes:
performing a first test by comparing an amount inputted by the customer at the self-service terminal with a corresponding amount determined from the front image of the check;
performing a second test by determining whether the back image contains an endorsement signature, wherein performing further includes ejecting the check and displaying an instruction for the customer to endorse the check and reinsert the check into the check reader and select a retry button for continued validation and check processing;
performing a third test by determining whether issue date information obtained from the front image is later than a current date;
performing a fourth test by determining whether not-valid-after date information obtained from the front image is earlier than the current date; and
performing a fifth test by determining whether payee information obtained from the front image includes multiple payees;
when no errors are found with the tests, connecting, by the software, to a financial system determined from the read information of the MICR code line and comparing, by the software, the check number with bad check numbers stored in a bad check database of the financial system; and
when the comparing fails to result in a match between the check number and any of the bad check numbers, displaying, by the software, instructions to the customer to continue the check cashing transaction at an attendant terminal, sending, by the software, results for the performing and the comparing to the attendant terminal and printing, by the software, a chit that is provided as verification by the customer to an attendant for the check-cashing transaction at the attendant terminal, wherein the chit providing evidence that the check has passed all tests for deposit.