HELOISE: Check policies at your bank

Dear Readers: We recently were discussing bank check acceptance policies in the office. What would happen if you didn’t write some vital information on the check? We called several local banks (in San Antonio) and found the policies to be very different. Some would return a check to you that had no date written, and others would let the check go through.

We also asked about cashing and depositing old checks. The standard answer was up to six months, depending if the check had a disclaimer of “Not Valid After 90 Days.” Also, we asked about not signing the checks. Since things are automatically processed in today’s electronic era, most said that if it was “caught,” it would be returned, but if it wasn’t, it would be processed. One bank said if it was for a small amount, it would be processed, regardless of whether it was signed.

This is scary, considering that fraud is so widespread. Check with your bank and make sure you know its policies — otherwise, it could cost you.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: Can’t remember your PIN for your ATM or credit card? I wrote mine in my phone book as a phone number. I list a fake name and the number, such as: 123-4545 — the last four numbers are the PIN. Or you can use it as an extension: 123-4545, ext. 4545. Should someone find it, that person won’t know that it is a PIN and not a phone number.

A Loyal Montana Reader, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I have found that if there is something I need to do or something I need to take to work, if I put something out of place — such as hang a bra over the lamp or put a shoe on my table — as soon as I see that item in the morning, I immediately remember what it is that I must do.

Donna Dodelin, Wichita Falls, Texas

Dear Heloise: I drink a lot of iced tea and often go to fast-food restaurants and buy a large tea. I got to thinking that there has to be a good use for the cups, even though I do save them to be recycled.

One evening, as I was preparing to do some spot painting in my office, an idea hit me. I used my pocketknife and cut around the cup about 3-4 inches from the bottom, and I had a perfect-size, long-lasting and inexpensive container for the paint that I easily could hold while painting.

Bob Allen, Cassville, Mo.

Dear Heloise: Did you know that you can leave messages on the scrolling screen saver of your computer? This is how my husband and I leave short messages to each other. A co-worker shared the idea with me, and now it is a game for us to leave messages. We both know exactly where to look, too, and no messages are overlooked!

Vivian from Idaho

King Features Syndicate