What the heck is this Comcheck? (or authorization check?)

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by JazWife, Oct 27, 2008.

  1. JazWife

    JazWife Bobtail Member

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    Oct 2, 2008
    Detroit, MI
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    Hubby does NOT get direct Deposit of his paycheck for a few weeks. Not sure why that is, but anyways...he received an authorization or "comcheck" for his first week of work ..... and I've NEVER heard of this, so I'm pretty confused. :biggrin_2552:

    He filled out the check with his name and the amount, then called a number to "register" it. - which we are hoping to god he did correctly because it was confusing as all get out. (it was an automated system, so it's not like we could ask questions.)
    He is leaving today so now I have the check & I have to go deposit it. Now, does the BANK call the number on the check ? because on the check it says "call for authorization number?"

    Any input is certainly appreciated, because we have those pesky things called "bills" we gotta pay. argh ! :biggrin_25510:
     
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  3. Jonny1

    Jonny1 Medium Load Member

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    Most carriers do this for your first pay check (often oreintation pay) because it takes a few days to get the direct deposit set up with the bank. They may do it 2 different ways,.... they may issue him a card, that he can access cash with at any truck stop or they may just simply give him a Com-Check number, and with proper ID they will give him the cash at any truck stop.......up to a certain dollar amount. This will give him cash for his first week on the road and then the direct deposit should kick in.
     
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  4. JazWife

    JazWife Bobtail Member

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    jonny,thanks for the quick response.

    i have the Comcheck right now, with the hopes of simply depositing it into our account - I'm praying I have no problems with it ? Do you think it should be ok ?
     
  5. Jonny1

    Jonny1 Medium Load Member

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    You have to understand those comchecks have no value, until the company authorizes that check for a specific application. So as long as dispatch or HR, who ever authorizes pay advances in his company has made that particular check good, you should be fine. In other words those blank checks they gave him at orientation are worthless, until each one has been called in for a specific expense or advance, and the company has done what they need to do to make it payable.
     
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  6. Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    JazWife - My hubby works for the same company your hubby does, as I remember the discussion about idle time. We get all of my hubby's pay via comchecks. I have a stash of checks at home, along with the number to call to register drafts myself. My bank then calls to get the authorization number for the check, and away I go. I have had no problem with this at all with my bank. We decided to go that route for accessing his pay, as I don't have to wait for direct deposit, and if there is a bank holiday, I can go to a truck stop and get money if I need it. You will have no problem with your bank accepting the checks. I have all ofthe bank tellers now trained in getting the authorization number!
     
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  7. JazWife

    JazWife Bobtail Member

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    Ah, yes that's right - your hubs works for Celadon as well, and you had the useful idle time advice for us. :yes2557:

    Yay ! that's what I needed to hear. Yesterday, he called & did the register the draft - but we were confused whether or not that was the right thing to do. So now when I take it to the bank today, they need to call for auth. number. Gotcha !

    Interesting that you're opting the route of having comchecks rather than direct deposit, and your reasoning makes sense.
    Hmmm......... might have to rethink direct deposit
     
  8. Jonny1

    Jonny1 Medium Load Member

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    I assumed it would be fine as well, but you know what happens when you assume? ##* out of you and me :biggrin_255:

    I have heard of some companies, that will not let you those checks for anything but OTR expenses and will only advance payroll on the card itsself. I guess every company has there own policies.
     
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  9. Lurchgs

    Lurchgs Road Train Member

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    that's silly.. (not that it doesn't happen all the time, of course) I've had occasion to use a comcheck for a personal expense because they wouldn't take my comdata card.

    Of course, For road expenses May would put the funds on my half of the comdata card and I'd create the check from that. For my own expenses, ... well, it came off my side of the card anyway, so I didn't have to worry about the company prepping the check in the background, anyway.

    Sounds pretty muck the way Celedon is working - which I find apropriate. For my wife and me, direct deposit worked fine. I got paid on Thursdays. I'd initiate the DD either thursday night or over the weekend - funds were always in her account by the time she needed them - usually Monday
     
  10. Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    Celadon just drops his pay right on the comdata card. They had that as an option, and after dealing with direct deposit when he was with Werner, and the fact that any bank holiday delayed the pay getting in the bank, we chose the comdata option. You do have the option of direct deposit with Celadon, we just chose the easier option for us. His advances and road expenses are handled through the comdata card, but differently. Working his pay this way also allows me to leave money on the card for him to access, instead of him having to always do advances. Since we have debit cards too, he can always access the bank account as well. I actually like doing the pay thing this way.
     
  11. Lurchgs

    Lurchgs Road Train Member

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    Oh, no problem. Figgered what's what Celedon was doing - seems pretty standard. We had the option, too. DD just works for us. I'd send most of my check over, and keep about $100 on the card for my own use (sometimes more if it it was goodies week (trinkets for the family and such like))

    I do NOT have access on the road to the account I was sending money to - just never bothered to get an ATM card for it. If I need more money, I have to call the wifeoid and ask her to put funds in my own account.

    I don't suppose this arrangement would work for most people, but it works for us...

    (Oh, and those of us not vertically challenged have a response to your sig: Dynamite comes in small packages, Nitro in smaller, but you warm yourself every day to a nuclear furnace)
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2008
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