Patent ID: 7113925

Claim:
A method for securely sending a check comprising: preparation by a payor using software on a machine readable medium of an electronic check which is an encrypted electronically generated digital image of a negotiable paper check when converted to a paper check; transmission of said electronic check from said payor to a payee; receipt and decryption of said electronic check by payee; and conversion of said electronic check to a negotiable paper check by the payee; said digital image including a bar code containing a digital signature and information selected from the group consisting of payor's details, bank information, check amount and combinations thereof; and said digital image including a visible background that is visible when converted to said negotiable paper check and that repeats unencrypted information from said electronic check, wherein said unencrypted information is selected from the group consisting of payor details, payee details, bank information, check details, payor name, a payor account number, a payee name, a check dollar amount, a check date, a check number, a bank ach routing number and combinations thereof.