Understand the gravity of having a missing check book. A thief can forge your name onto your checks and spend your money. While the bank is responsible for verifying that your signature is authentic, having a missing check book can still result in a lot of hassle.
Freeze your bank account. If your check book is missing, contact your bank immediately and ask them to freeze your checking account. Call the toll-free number for your bank or a local branch and explain what has happened. The bank will immediately flag, if not freeze, your account based upon the telephone call.
Identify the check numbers that are missing. If you can figure out which numbers are missing, tell your bank the range of check numbers to flag. If the bank will not freeze your bank account without a letter regarding a missing check book, then the bank can at least flag the missing numbers.
Write a letter to the bank regarding the missing check book. See the instructions in the next section for what to include in the letter.
Contact your bank about the missing check book before writing the letter. Time is of the essence when your check book is missing. Do not begin writing the letter until you have notified the bank about the missing check book. Be sure to ask who should receive the letter.
Address the letter to the person that the bank said should receive the letter. This person might work at the local branch, or you might need to send the letter to somebody at a regional branch.
Include the checking account number. Include a “re:” line that specifies the checking account number about which you are writing.
Explain what happened. Begin your letter by saying, “My check book is missing for the above-referenced account. Please close my checking account immediately and open a new one.” You can include other details about what happened, but this is the most important information that the bank needs.
Specify which check numbers are missing. If you know the range of check numbers that are missing, include them in the letter to the bank. This will enable the bank to flag those numbers and possibly catch a thief. This can also help the bank sort through which checks were legitimately written against your account.
Sign the letter. Sign the letter using the same version of your name that you use to sign your checks, such as John Smith, John Q. Smith or J.Q. Smith.
Hand-deliver or fax the letter to the bank. The sooner the bank has your letter in hand, the sooner the bank can freeze your bank account and open a new account for you to access your funds. If you cannot hand-deliver or fax the letter to the bank, send the letter to the bank using overnight mail.