What is an Endorser?

I remember dealing with endorsements when I got my car title changed. I had recently gotten married, and my maiden name was on there, in addition to my dad’s name. I needed to have his name removed and my last name changed.

I had to go the courthouse and show them my marriage license and driver’s license. They said they would send me a new title in 6 weeks.

My dad had to endorse the original title in order to transfer sole ownership to me. It really seemed like a lot of paperwork for a family transaction, but I know they have to do everything by the book.

My husband is the endorser for checks made out to his company. His signature reminds me of either a doctor’s handwriting or a celebrity’s autograph. It is impossible to read, but it is distinct.

When I first saw the way he endorsed the checks, I became worried that the bank would not cash them. He told me that he has always signed his name that way.

One advantage is that it is really hard to replicate. Unless you were to sit down, study it, and practice making it, you couldn’t do it. The bank can easily tell his signature apart from someone who simply tried to write his name down and get away with it.

I recently got a credit card from a department store. They sent it to me in the mail, and I didn’t read the back of it.

The first time I tried to use it at the store, the cashier flipped it over. Then, she asked to see my I.D., because I hadn’t signed the back of my card.

Apparently, you have to endorse all your cards. There is a white strip on the backside, and underneath it, there is a line that states, “Not valid unless signed.” I suppose since they have my signature on file from the first time I signed up for a card, they need to compare it to the one on actual card.

I always worry when I endorse my paycheck that my signature may be too different from the last one. I don’t always make my letters the same. I don’t know why, but they just come out sometimes in cursive and sometimes printed.

So far, I have never had a problem getting my checks cashed or deposited because of my endorsement. I guess my letters are similar enough to satisfy the teller.

I remember finding out that someone else can give you a check with their endorsement, and all you have to do is endorse it underneath their name, and the money is yours. I really worried the first time I took a check like that to the bank, because it just seemed like it would be illegal! I mean, how does the bank know I didn’t just find this check in the parking lot and sign my name under the first one? It worked, though.