Verifying a check includes receiving, from a check issuer computer system, first check information comprising a first routing number, a first account number, a first check number, and a first dollar amount associated with an issued check. The verifying also includes receiving from a computer system of a payee financial institution, second check information comprising a second routing number, a second account number, a second check number, and a second dollar amount from a received paper check. The method includes verifying that the first check information corresponds to the second check information and sending, to the computer system of the payee financial institution in response to the first check information matching the second check information, a verification message indicating that the first check information corresponds to the second check information.