# Signatures and Checks/Money Orders

Category: Daily Living

## Post 1 by MDN1988 (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Saturday, 12-May-2007 16:32:52

I am having trouble with my signature. People say it is not very legible. Does anyone have any ideas on how I could improve it or make it better? How did you all learn to sign your name?
Also, how could a totally blind person fill out checks and money orders? Do they have to have sighted help with that, or are there ways of doing that independently?
Thanks!
Safiyah

## Post 2 by OjosDeMiCorazon (That's how I roll!) on Saturday, 12-May-2007 16:40:35

Safiyah:
First thing I would do is get somebody who is sighted to use fabric paint and make larger outlines of the letters in your name. That way you can feel what it should look like. Next I would invest in a signature card. I personally don't have one, but they make these cards so that you only can write in a
window opening. Somebody who can see places the bottom of the open space on the bottom line, and you write your signature from there. They also make check signature cards, that is, cards that outline the spaces on a check. Learn what goes on each line, and you're set. You can also talk to your bank about ordering checks with your signature printed on each check, but this is more common for businesses.
Hope this helps.

## Post 3 by fuzzy101 (The master of fuzz!!) on Saturday, 12-May-2007 17:52:02

I think there are ways to right out checks and stuff on a computer, but usually I just have someone sighted write them out.
Of course you have to hope they're trust worthy and not write it out for more, but if you catch them at it you'll know not to trust them.

## Post 4 by jamesk (This site is so "educational") on Saturday, 12-May-2007 18:06:14

lol, people used to be able to read my signature, but alas, no more. I'm getting sloppy, bu they still take my money, lol.
Seriously, though, when I learned, my teacher got a handwriting kit which had the letters molded in to plastic grooves which the pen stayed in until you learned the shape, but the glue/puff paint suggestion above would also work. I think it just takes practice.
As to the writing checks, just pay with a debit card and forget the whole check thing. Make sure to write down your purchases, though, because your checkook won't balance unless you do.

## Post 5 by forereel (Just posting.) on Sunday, 13-May-2007 0:17:17

The signiture card is the best device for signing with, but I'd not use checks, because it is simpler to use a debit card and safer if you get in to a fraud situation. Your only liable for up to $50 of the charge if you can prove it was fraud. Money orders can be filled out buy the clerk you buy them from. Just ask the clerk to put the information you want on it, then have him or her devide it in the part receipt and pay receipt so you'll know which part to give or send. Your bank also should have a 24 hour phone number you can call to check your balance and chargets that you've made that day with your card. If your bank does not get a bank that has this service, so you can keep track, or if you can't remember then get a slate and stilus, or small voice recorder to put that info on after you make a purchease so you can match your days spending at night. Also some banks offer online service as well, so go to your banks web site and set hat up and make sure it is accessible.
Last always buy money orders from a super market, or store, or bank. Do not except them as payment to you for anything unless you trust the person giving the money order to you. You see these can be made. Printers have gotten so good now that documents can be faked, so I'd just not take them if I couldn't see to make sure they were good, and sometimes even sighted people get bumped.
If you have trouble handling a card ask your bank to provide one that has a ceiling so you can't spend over your balance. Your banker can explain these for you.
Good luck.

## Post 6 by fuzzy101 (The master of fuzz!!) on Sunday, 13-May-2007 4:51:57

Keep some cash on hand.
There are times when you'll run into places that don't take cards.
Depending on where you are they can be few and far between but there are places like that.
I'd forgotten the money order idea.
Also, if you're good with the internet, most banks have online billpay.
You basically tell them how much your paying to whom and all that.
They inturn write the check and mail it and all that.
Unlike money orders it's usually a free service.

## Post 7 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Wednesday, 06-Jun-2007 1:45:24

I'll just stick with the Debit card and cash.

## Post 8 by bozmagic (The rottie's your best friend if you want him/her to be, lol.) on Thursday, 07-Jun-2007 13:19:59

Get a chip and pin card. I have terrible trouble signing my name, it takes me absolutely ages, then people say they can't f...ing read it, so I'm sticking with my own chip and pin card and hopefully in the not-too-distant future, I'll be able to use Paypal.

## Post 9 by cuddle_kitten84 (I just keep on posting!) on Sunday, 10-Jun-2007 8:24:01

Hi there, at first i used a signature card, and people can usually read what i write. mum taught me the different strokes with the pen to write the first letter of my name and sirname. now, i just use chip and pin. it's very rare that i do have to use checks, but if it pops up, i get a sighted person to write it. also i have a telephone number for my bank so i can check exactly how much is in there and has been taken out. chip and pin, i highly recommend.

## Post 10 by fire975 (Generic Zoner) on Sunday, 15-Jul-2007 15:57:24

What is a "chip"?

## Post 11 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Sunday, 15-Jul-2007 22:57:05

precisely what i was going to ask

## Post 12 by sugar (Entertain me. I dare you.) on Saturday, 28-Jul-2007 16:17:04

chip, as in microchip... I would assume that the UK was probably the last place to get chip and pin machines? surely? You put your card in the machine, as though you were going to draw out cash, enter your pin, and bill paid. Obviously not all companies have this luxury though, so it's not as easy as just saying, ah yeh, get chip and pin!!! An alternative way to get over signature crisis, if you feel confidend in doing so, is to order an ink stamp. Your bank should give you permision to carry it, so when you need to sign, just place the stamp in the applicable place, push down, voila. Also, if you really feel uncomfortable signing, you could just make sure that, on the back of any new cards you get, you get someone to write, See ID, and just make sure that you carry a photo card with you at all times. Really though, on the whole, practise makes perfect. My signature changes every time, but I don't care. As long as you are insured for fraud, and you keep a good record of what should be going in and out of your back, there really isn't a need to worry in my oppinion......

## Post 13 by jamesk (This site is so "educational") on Sunday, 29-Jul-2007 19:50:43

lol, no one really cares if they can read your signature or not any longer at the bank.
I accidentally sent checks through the bank before that I'd forgotten to sign, and nothing was ever said and it caused no problems.

## Post 14 by Harmony (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 21-Aug-2007 8:02:41

I learned to handwrite when I was 9 and at first, people couldn't read a word of my writing. I use a signature guide and now I write in capital letters instead of small letters. I ask the person in the bank when I go to get money out if they can read it and they usually can and they know me well in there, anyway. I have never written a check before and I heard that some shops have stopped taking them now, but I have a chip and pin card, or just take my money with me when I want to buy something. With a chip and pin or debit card, the money comes straight out of your account and you just have to remember a 4-digit number.

## Post 15 by Texas Shawn (The cute, cuddley, little furr ball) on Tuesday, 21-Aug-2007 8:29:52

grin, now what would be cool is if someone would make a signature guide where they just traced your name in to cardboard. then cut it out and cast it in to metal or plastic. Then you could just follow in the lines.

## Post 16 by Cousin Cap (Zone BBS Addict) on Tuesday, 21-Aug-2007 11:21:36

No. Just make a stamp of your own name, dip it in ink, and press it upon the bottom line. That would be awesome.

## Post 17 by motifated (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 21-Aug-2007 12:05:14

I've been in some situations where some have questioned the legality of the stamp. Years ago, I remember reading someone had taken the cursive alphabet and translated into the equivalent braille letters. In other words, you would tracek from one dot in the beraille cell to another to create the letters. When I learned to sign my name, the instructor had a raised line drawing kit, and I reproduced the letters he made. Then I moved to raised line paper. I had no idea what my signature looked like until one day I signed my name, and someone introduced me basd on what they thought my signature was. I was in hysterics laughing, because it was nothing like what my name actually is.
I used to carry a signature guide, but like many guys, I stuck it in my shirt pocket. Everytime I'd bend over, there went the guide. Sure I could have put it elsewhere, but I was too lazy for that.
Lou

## Post 18 by Texas Shawn (The cute, cuddley, little furr ball) on Tuesday, 21-Aug-2007 12:39:59

I use a signature stamp and I do use it on checks and all kinds of legal documents. I think maybe once I had someone question me on it. but normally I don't.

## Post 19 by changedheart421 (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Tuesday, 21-Aug-2007 15:45:16

hello. On small receits I only initial them. For bigger documents I have a stamp with my name.

## Post 20 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Tuesday, 21-Aug-2007 20:52:25

I can usually fot my signature on receipts, and I've gotten the question from people as to why or how I write so damn tiny. lol I'm told it's ledgible.

## Post 21 by The SHU interpreter (I just keep on posting!) on Tuesday, 28-Aug-2007 16:03:01

i mostly use my debit card and if i need to do checks, i have my dad or mom do it for me.
I also use a signature guide to write my name, and, its usually fine. but i need a new sterdy one cause mine is made of cardboard and is tearing apart since its so old.
where can i get a metal signature guide

## Post 22 by bea (I just keep on posting!) on Sunday, 02-Sep-2007 18:27:51

I use a signature stamp and have done that for a long time. If somebody at a bank or a lawyer questions it, I put an X next to my name or ask for a witness from the bank or lawyer's office who knows me to put their name under mine.

## Post 23 by Harmony (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Thursday, 15-Nov-2007 13:18:26

I don't think you can get metal signature guides, well I haven't sen them, anyway. When I use my signature guide, I write really small, but most people can read it. Mine is made of plastic. I also have a guide for writing cheques which is really small, so I've got to write even smaller. I've only just got a cheque book, but luckily I haven't had to use it yet. I'm hoping those people who want th cheque will accept cash.

## Post 24 by moonspun (This site is so "educational") on Friday, 16-Nov-2007 11:37:38

from the RNIB, you can get a check guide. You lay it on the cheque, and it has slots to put in things such as your name, the name of the person the cheque is for, and the amount of money to be paid. There is braille underneath each slot. However, you need to be able to write very clearly.
I learned to write using large children's stensils. They're great for getting an over all picture of the letter, and, gradually, you can progress to using smaller and smaller ones until the writing is normal sized. You should be able to get these from any good kids toy shop.
FM

## Post 25 by Harmony (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 17-Nov-2007 16:26:41

I don't think mine came from the RNIB. I picked up a set of writing guide thingies from the sight village exhibition a few years ago.

## Post 26 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Friday, 28-Dec-2007 23:06:53

I was taught to sign my name when I was about ten or so. I wanted to learn the whole cursive alphabet and numbers as well, but people thought I didn't need those things. So, I'm now teaching myself, using a writing kit I've ordered from APH. You can get full check-writing guides as well, not just signature guides. I've known totally blind people who learned to handwrite, both letters and numbers, and fill out checks independently using the check-writing guide. Of course, there's no question that debet cards are more convenient, even for sighted people.
I can still sign my name legibly, but got a signature stamp a few years ago, after seeing a blind friend with one. They're just so convenient. Mine is self-inking, so I don't have to carry ink with me wherever I go. However, many places are going to the system where you sign the little pad on the computer using the electronic pen, so I think it's still important to know how to sign your name, even if you use a stamp.

## Post 27 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Saturday, 29-Dec-2007 9:25:28

and with cameras on cell phones nowadays, people can take a picture of your debit card without your knowledge ...

## Post 28 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 29-Dec-2007 9:51:14

I kind of know how to sign my name, but only in print. I don't touch cursive. I usually just carry a stamp with my full name, if necessary, and use that. It has it's own ink in it, so I don't even need to dip it. I avoid any kind of money transfers that would involve signing, preferring cash or credit or more often, debit cards when I shop offline. In the case of the former, I have the casheer or the person with me sign and initial them. As for bills, I pay them online whenever possible, and I also have a Paypal account, so that if anyone had to pay me, for anything they could use that. Whenever I do have to actually sign anything, I just use my initials. I know I'll have to eventually learn my signature, either in English or in Greek, but for now, this is easier. Btw, I do have an interesting in learning the letters in both languages. I know of a device called a check cutter. Basically, you put the check in it, set the sliders and pull on the handle. It's all manual and writes out the numbers, though you'd still have to sign it etc. Worth looking into.

## Post 29 by rongirl17 (Zone BBS Addict) on Saturday, 29-Dec-2007 11:29:17

Hello there start do that learing how to sign my name my tvi did it hand over hand so I could get the feel of it My name cmes out ok I mess up on the s and t up you can tell it is me.

## Post 30 by bozmagic (The rottie's your best friend if you want him/her to be, lol.) on Saturday, 29-Dec-2007 12:39:50

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking of doing. Not that I'm too lazy to sign my own name, but it can take quite a while to sign as I have 17 letters, not including my middle name to pick out, so I'm thinking about ordering a signature stamp of my forename and surname when I need to sign my name.
Jen.

## Post 31 by bozmagic (The rottie's your best friend if you want him/her to be, lol.) on Saturday, 29-Dec-2007 12:43:35

Charity shops often won't take credit/debbit cards, but I use mine all the time when I shop online, via Paypal and I also have a signature card for my post office book when I need to sign that.

## Post 32 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 29-Dec-2007 14:19:53

Online shopping and bill paying is a wonderful thing indeed.

## Post 33 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Monday, 31-Dec-2007 22:42:56

Hi, great ideas. I think MaxiAids or other catalogs do have metal signature guides. Also, for some bills, you can pay them over the phone and it's free. I once signed up to pay my bills online and my bank charged me $7.95 a month. So be careful to read the terms of service policy. If you don't have a lot of bills to pay, I'd recommend using a phone line. Usually, it won't cost you anything. If you have a credit card that needs to be paid off, many websites will allow you to do this. Again, check on the fees. I know some of them can be pretty hefty. I have a sighted friend who won't use her real name in her signature. even on her passport, I'm not even sure she's signed it with her legal name. If you have a certain bill that needs to be paid by a check each month, why not have a trusted sighted friend fill them out a few at a time and then all you'd have to do is send them in. My mom did this with envelopes so I can just slip a check in the mail to my landlord. Any questions/comments? Feel free to write back.
bw

## Post 34 by Ukulele<3 (Try me... You know you want to.) on Wednesday, 02-Jan-2008 3:57:34

Yaaay! I don't have to worry about this because luckily, I had friends who taught me how to write in print when I was 9. lol We used to sneak notes in class to each other. haha It was fun. But my problem is I always forget which slot to put stuff in. I can write out my check ok and it's pretty legible but I need someone to remind me where each line goes. And my signature is pretty legible but the C. in my name always turns out to look like an S. I don't print my name out. My vision teacher taught me to write my name in cursive which annoys me cause I can't master it. Yes but if you have trouble with writing out your checks, I would go with what's suggested here. Besides, checks seem to be going out of fashion anyway. Within another 20 years, we probably wouldn't even be using them. I don't suggest using a stamp though. My man had a really bad experience with it being stolen and used... lol So ever since then, we've never used one.

## Post 35 by Siriusly Severus (The ESTJ 1w9 3w4 6w7 The Taskmaste) on Saturday, 06-Jun-2009 22:52:50

I don't know about the checks, but the signature doesn't have to be legible. Doctors just scribble on things and they have signed the things.. It doesn't say there name. As long as you signed, that's all that matters. It doesn't matter if it's legible or not.