Encoding Error (ENC)

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ITYP Description | Proper Usage

Encoding Error (ENC) – Used to request a credit or debit entry for an item that was clearly encoded for an amount different than the legal (written) amount or the written amount and the encoded amount on the image are the same but differs from the amount stated in the X9.100-187 (X9.37) image cash/return letter.

If you discover an ENC, submit an adjustment request to the Federal Reserve.

Your Action

Submit an Electronic Case or Adjustment Request Form (PDF).

Reporting Time Frame and Federal Reserve Bank Action

Encoding Error (ENC) reporting time frames and actions.
Reporting Time Frame Federal Reserve Bank Action
Within six calendar months
of the cash/return letter date.
Same day entry - Provided requirements are met.*
After six calendar months, but within one calendar year
of the cash/return letter date.
Same day acknowledgement - Provided requirements are met.* No entry. Provide source or disposition information and advise the requesting institution to deal directly with the offsetting institution. Respond to request within 20 business days.

Attachments not Required

Required Fields

Encoding Error (ENC) required fields for paper forms and FedLine messages.
Field Name Paper Form FedLine CA1000 Message
Sender ABA (SNDR) and Contact Information Your institution's ABA number, Name, Street Address, City, State, Contact Telephone Number (TELE), Contact Name (CNTC) and Respondent's ABA number (if applicable) Auto-fills with your institution’s 9-digit ABA number. Contact Name (CNTC) and Contact Telephone Number (TELE).
Receiver ABA (RCVR) Receiving Federal Reserve Bank's name and/or ABA number Auto-fills with the Federal Reserve Bank’s ABA number 061000146
Case Investigation Type (ITYP) Encoding Error (ENC) Encoding Error (ENC)
Message Type (MTYP) Open (OPEN) Open (CA1000)
Case Amount (AMT) Difference between the encoded and written (legal) amount of the item
Entry Type (ETYP) Credit (CR) or Debit (DB) Credit or Debit
Sender Reference Number (SREF) Your institution's case number (max of 14 characters)
From Cash Letter ABA (FCL) & To Cash Letter ABA (TCL)

You sent the cash/return letter to the Federal Reserve

  • FCL - Your institution’s ABA number
  • TCL - Federal Reserve Bank’s ABA number

The Federal Reserve sent the cash/return letter to your institution

  • FCL - Federal ReserveBank’s ABA number
  • TCL - Your institution's ABA number
Product Type (PROD) The appropriate cash letter product type The appropriate cash letter product type from the drop-down list
Cash Letter or Entry Date (CLED) Date of the cash/return letter
Cash Letter Total (CLT) Cash/return letter total in which the requested item is contained
Tape Total (TT) Tape/bundle total in which the requested item is contained
Sequence Number (SEQ)

If you deposited the item with the Federal Reserve - your institution’s sequence number

If you received the item from the Federal Reserve - the Federal Reserve Bank’s item sequence number (ISN)

Item Before Amount (IBEF) Dollar amount of the item listed on the cash/return letter detail listing before the requested item. If the requested item is the first item, then enter .00.
Item After Amount (IAFT) Dollar amount of the item listed on the cash/return letter detail listing after the requested item. If the requested item is the last item, then enter .00.
Listed As Amount (LAS) The incorrect dollar amount as encoded on the item's MICR line
Should Be Amount (SBE) The written (legal) dollar amount of the item

*Same Day Entry/Acknowledgement Requirements

All electronic adjustment requests received by 5:00 p.m. ET with complete information will receive same day entry/acknowledgement. Supporting documentation (attachments) must be provided at the same time the electronic adjustment message is submitted.

All paper adjustment requests received at the Check Adjustments Centralized Data Entry Site by 11:00 a.m. ET with complete information and documentation will receive same day entry/acknowledgement.

Select an Error Type

Retired Investigation Types

The following investigation types (ITYPS) have been retired and are no longer in use as an ITYP. Refer to each ITYP for action steps should the need arise to report the error condition or service request.

Select an Error Type

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