Abstract: A check verification system for providing customer-operated verification of checks at point-of-sale locations. The present system enables a customer to verify several possible kinds of checking functions, including verification of payroll or government checks as well as certain types of personal checks for cash, and sets limits on the number of times each checking function will be verified in a period of time. The system utilizes a number of local point-of-use terminals which are operated by the customer, and which communicate with a remotely-located transaction processor including a positive file of customers who are entitled to verify checks with the present system. The positive check verification files do not require the current bank balance of the customer, and the present system is designed to include persons who are merely the payees of checks and have no checking account or other established relationship with any bank.