Ally bank not matching check numbers

Question

Windows R16.61.  During the holidays, we gave a number of checks with the same amount to family members. Transactions are downloaded from Ally with the description check #XXXX.  However, Quicken does not match the transaction to the check number, just the first check that is not cleared with that amount.  Is any familiar with a fix?

UKR · Answer

AFAIK, Quicken requires that the check number be included in a separate downloaded data field, Check number. What text actually is included in the Payee Name field is immaterial.

If you know how to look at the download log files to see what a downloaded check transaction looks like, it can be determined whether the check number was correctly downloaded or not.

You may need to contact Quicken Support on the phone during posted hours of operation to request help and report this as an Online Banking problem.

Here's a snippet from the Cloud Sync Log containing a just-downloaded check transaction. The highlighted text portions contain the payee name and the separate check number field.

The transaction now appears in the Downloaded Transactions tab as:

If in your Ally account register, the Num field is blank … that's a problem …

q_lurker · Answer

For me, check # does not come through as a number for the Check # field.  The Payee comes through in the download as CHECK 1234.

OP I presume has checks entered as (for example) 1233 to Abby, 1234 to Brian, and 1235 to Claire, all for the same amount.  When Claire cashes her check and it is downloaded as CHECK 1235, Quicken does not match it to the check 1235 manual entry already made.  It matches it to the first uncleared check for that amount.

I am not surprised by that programming behavior.  I do not know of a renaming rule that would apply.  I do not know of a 'fix'.

NotACPA · Answer

Strange that the check number isn't being used for the match … it should be.  Do you know if Ally is downloading the check number?  If you tell us the download method for the account (Direct Connect, Express Web Connect, etc.) we can tell you where to look to discover that.

Also, see if turning on (via the Gear icon in the upper right of the register) the "Downloaded Payee" field helps.  That MIGHT not be populated either, but if it is you'll have a better idea which check cleared.

And, is "XXXX" literally what's downloading for the check number?  Are you check numbers actually 4 digits?  You might also see if widening that field in the register helps any.  What exactly is downloading in the check number field, any example will help?