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Direct deposit authorization forms authorize employers to send money directly into an individual's bank account. In times past, employers would print out and distribute physical checks on pay day for each employee to deposit into their bank accounts themselves.

No, that information does not allow someone to withdraw money from your account.

Since the money transfers automatically from the payer's account to your account, it cannot be lost or stolen. In fact, the Social Security Administration boasts that not a single payment via direct deposit has been lost since 1976, when beneficiaries were first offered the option to receive direct deposit.

When a direct deposit is sent, the information is limited to you, the paying entity and your two banking providers. That's not necessarily true when you deal with a paper check, which can be misplaced, copied or even stolen. Paper checks have a lot of sensitive information on them.

The payee can provide a picture of the routing and account number from an online log-in and then provide a copy of a recent bank statement that shows their name, address, and the account number. Some banks or credit unions provide account details on paper cards.

Get a direct deposit form from your employer. Ask for a written or online direct deposit form. If that isn't available, ask your bank or credit union for one. We've included a list of forms from top banks and credit unions, including the Capital One and Bank of America direct deposit forms.

All employers require a direct deposit form from employees for them to be put on the company's payroll, so it is generally considered safe.

Direct deposit downsides You can't stop payment, as you can with a paper check. Changing banks means changing direct deposit information—employees need to complete new authorizations forms. There may be some initial costs to set up accounts and direct deposit bookkeeping software.

Direct deposit authorization forms authorize employers to send money directly into an individual's bank account. In times past, employers would print out and distribute physical checks on pay day for each employee to deposit into their bank accounts themselves.

No, that information does not allow someone to withdraw money from your account.

Since the money transfers automatically from the payer's account to your account, it cannot be lost or stolen. In fact, the Social Security Administration boasts that not a single payment via direct deposit has been lost since 1976, when beneficiaries were first offered the option to receive direct deposit.

When a direct deposit is sent, the information is limited to you, the paying entity and your two banking providers. That's not necessarily true when you deal with a paper check, which can be misplaced, copied or even stolen. Paper checks have a lot of sensitive information on them.

The payee can provide a picture of the routing and account number from an online log-in and then provide a copy of a recent bank statement that shows their name, address, and the account number. Some banks or credit unions provide account details on paper cards.

Get a direct deposit form from your employer. Ask for a written or online direct deposit form. If that isn't available, ask your bank or credit union for one. We've included a list of forms from top banks and credit unions, including the Capital One and Bank of America direct deposit forms.

All employers require a direct deposit form from employees for them to be put on the company's payroll, so it is generally considered safe.

Direct deposit downsides You can't stop payment, as you can with a paper check. Changing banks means changing direct deposit information—employees need to complete new authorizations forms. There may be some initial costs to set up accounts and direct deposit bookkeeping software.