Why can't you use a document scanner to scan checks for ACH deposit? Why a special "check scanner"?

Why can’t you use a document scanner to scan checks for ACH deposit? Why a special “check scanner”?
I have a great Fujitsu document scanner and don’t quite see why a need another piece of equipment to scan checks for deposit. I understand “check scanners” parse the symbols on the bottom of the check for transaction info, but why not just make some MICR software to convert the image post-scanning? If OCR software can convert hundreds of pages of documents to editable text, what is so difficult about recognizing a few symbols on a check for processing?

Is there some simple software available that can allow me to use my document scanner to deposit checks by extracting those symbols and converting them to a format suitable for processing?
I like the thought about the check scanner reading the magnetic “ink” not the image. But are all checks really printed with special ink? I just came across a website saying you could print payroll checks with any laser printer. How then could such a check scanner work?

(Yahoo Answers rocks. Can’t believe I have people answering my questions so fast. Pretty cool.)

Best answer:

They probably don’t market such devices to the general public, just to financial institutions. But don’t worry, with all the banks on the brink of bankruptcy, you might be able to pick up some inexpensive used MICR reading equipment!

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2 Comments for Why can't you use a document scanner to scan checks for ACH deposit? Why a special "check scanner"?

  • 1. OC1999  |  July 27th, 2006 at 5:54 am

    Actually the MICR text is printed with a special ink. MICR stands for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition. The “check scanner” actually does not do OCR it “reads” the ink.

    The problem you may have is that OCR software is not always 100% correct. For things such as documents or business cards an occasional error can be fixed. But even if it is very close, if it gave you an error on one check out of 1000 that can add up to significant costs for you in the long run. You can pick up an MICR check reader for under $200 easily, and any decent OCR software is going to run you at least that.

    EDIT: In response to your additional details on how you can print checks. You can use a regular Laser printer, but there is a special toner or ink cartridge that you have to use in place of the regular ones. If you tried to use regular toner any company that uses an MICR reader would not be able to process your check and then might reject it.

  • 2. Doctor Deth  |  July 27th, 2006 at 6:00 am

    you can scan the check, but all you’re getting is an image that doesn’t mean anything – the bank scanners have special software that reads the check info and properly deducts it from the correct checking account – only banks have that software – if you have so many checks you can’t handle the deposit process – get a bank lock box and let the bank handle all the work

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