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Check Adjustments Frequently Asked Questions

Federal Reserve Financial Services is committed to providing you the answers and information you need. Answers to many of our customers most frequently asked questions can be found using the links below.

If your question is not answered by the information provided on the site, My FedDirectorySM provides a comprehensive list of service and support contacts who can assist you.

Check Adjustments Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know which Federal Reserve Bank to submit my adjustment request?

A: The Receiver (RCVR) of your adjustment request depends on whether or not you are opening a new case or responding to a message from the Federal Reserve. If you are initiating the request, the RCVR should be the Federal Reserve office that processed the cash/return letter (your cash/return letter to the Federal Reserve or the Federal Reserve's cash/return letter to you) associated with your request. When responding to a request from a Federal Reserve office, the RCVR of the response should be the Federal Reserve office that contacted you.

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Q: How should I respond to a CA1000 message (Case Open Without Entry) from the Federal Reserve requesting permission to adjust my account? We are a FedLine Web access solution customer.

A: As a FedLine Web access solution customer, you should respond to the Federal Reserve's CA1000 message requesting permission to adjust your account with a CA5000 message (Case Resolution Without Entry). Your response should be entered in the comment field of the CA5000 message. You should avoid responding to a CA1000 message with a CA1000 message.

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Q: What can we do about our live item documentation not reaching the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond's Charlotte Branch within five (5) business days of sending the request? We are a FedLine Web access solution customer.

A: As a FedLine Web access solution customer, your documentation must be received and attached to your request within five (5) business days of sending the request. Free Item(s), Not Our Item (NOI) and Photo in Lieu (PIL) investigation types require the original item. Please send your documentation on the day you initiated your request to ensure it is received timely.

An alternative method of handling NOIs and PILs is through check processing channels instead of through Check Adjustments. NOIs can be deposited, with no item amount or count limitations, with the Federal Reserve office that charged you for the item, using a NOI cash letter (Forward or Return Collection). PILs can be deposited with the Federal Reserve office you regularly deposit with, in a non-imageable cash letter (Forward or Return Collection).

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Q: How do I know what information is needed on the adjustment request? In other words, what information is required for each Investigation Type (ITYP)?

A: The online Check Adjustments Quick Reference Guide (QRG) is available to assist you in determining the required fields based on the ITYP for which you are submitting the request. This valuable resource tool will show which fields are required for each ITYP whether you are a paper-based or FedLine Web access solution customer.

The online version of the QRG also provides the reporting time frame, the Federal Reserve's response based on the time frame the request is received, information on what (if any) supporting documentation is required, as well as a description and guidance on the proper usage of each ITYP. You can access the QRG here.

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Q: What procedures do FedReceipt and FedReceipt Plus Services customers follow when submitting an adjustment request?

A: When submitting a Check Adjustment request, FedReceipt and FedReceipt Plus customers should follow the procedures and guidelines established in the Check Adjustment Quick Reference Guide (QRG). You can access the QRG here.

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Q: We are a FedReceipt (FedReceipt Plus) Services customer. Where can we obtain the cash letter information required to submit our request?

A: The cash letter information is available in the file sent by the Federal Reserve. Customers should work with their vendor if they need assistance obtaining or accessing this information.

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Q: Why are adjustment requests resolved with entry only to have the entry later reversed?

A: In most instances, provisional entries are automatically generated based on case submission requirements and the reporting time frame of the Investigation Type (ITYP) for which the request is being submitted. If it is later determined that a request did not meet the criteria mentioned, the entry is then reversed and the Sender is advised to resubmit the request as new business.

For example, required documentation associated with requests submitted over FedLine® must be faxed into the Documents to Follow (DTF) Archive or received by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond's Charlotte Branch (if original documentation is required) within five (5) business days of the Federal Reserve receiving the electronic adjustment request. If the documentation is not received within this time frame, any provisional entries passed will be reversed.

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Q: How can we determine if our documentation was received by the Federal Reserve? We are a FedLine Web access solution customer.

A: Refer to the Documents to Follow (DTF) Archive Reference Guide for details on archiving supporting documentation. The DTF Archive Reference Guide is located here.

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Q: What if my financial institution receives as presentment a duplicate substitute check(s) or duplicate image(s)?

A: Financial institutions may submit a Photocopy & Original Paid (PAID) adjustment request to obtain credit for the duplicated Check 21 items. When using this investigation type an immediate provisional entry will be passed if the request is submitted in a timely manner (within three calendar months of the most recent cash/return letter entry date). Supporting documentation must be received within five (5) business days of the Federal Reserve receiving the request. If multiple items (2 or more) are PAID in the same bundle of work, you may submit them as one adjustment request.

Alternatively, institutions may submit a Check 21 Warranty/Indemnity Claim (WIC) or an Expedited Recredit (EXCR) request, if the associated requirements are met. However, provisional entries are not provided on WIC and EXCR requests. Please refer to the Check Adjustment Quick Reference Guide (QRG) for specific requirements for these adjustment types. You can access the QRG here.

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