Abstract: A method for verifying legibility of an image of a check captured in digital image data, the check having two groups of characters on a front side thereof. Each group includes characters which are numeric representations. The characters in one group have a predetermined relationship to the characters in another group. Each said group is spaced apart from each other and located in a preselected pattern. The method includes the steps of extracting images of each said group from the digital image data, recognizing the images to provide image values of the characters, performing operations on certain image values for one group in accordance with the relationship to provide calculated values, and comparing the image values for another group with the calculated values. If the image and calculated values are not identical, a warning signal is generated.