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Encoding Error (ENC)

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ITYP Description | Proper Usage

Encoding Error (ENC) – Used to request a credit or debit entry for an item that was clearly encoded for an amount different than the legal (written) amount or the written amount and the encoded amount on the image are the same but differs from the amount stated in the X9.100-187 (X9.37) image cash/return letter.

If you discover an ENC, submit an adjustment request to the Federal Reserve.

Your Action

Submit an Electronic Case or Adjustment Request Form (PDF).

Information about Encoding Error (ENC) reporting time frames and actions.
Reporting Time Frame Federal Reserve Bank Action
Within six calendar months
of the cash/return letter date
Same day entry - provided requirements are met.*
After six calendar months, but within one calendar year
of the cash/return letter date.
Same day acknowledgement - Provided requirements are met.*

No entry. Provide source or disposition information and advise the requesting institution to deal directly with the offsetting institution.

Respond to request within twenty business days.

Attachments not Required

Required Fields

Information about Encoding Error (ENC) reporting field names, forms and FedLine messages.
Field Name Paper Form FedLine CA1000 Message
Sender ABA (SNDR) Your institution's ABA #, name, street address, city, phone #, contact name and respondent's ABA # (if applicable) Auto-fills with your 9-digit ABA #
Receiver ABA (RCVR) Receiving Federal Reserve Bank's name and/or ABA # Federal Reserve Bank ABA # from drop-down list
Case Investigation Type (ITYP) Encoding Error (ENC) ENC
Message Type (MTYP) Open (OPEN) Auto-fills with OPEN
Case Amount (AMT) Difference between the encoded and written (legal) amount of the item
Entry Type (ETYP) Debit or Credit DB or CR
Sender Reference Number (SREF) Your institution's case # (max of 14 characters)
Contact Information (CNTC & TELE) Contact name, address and telephone number Contact name and telephone number
From Cash Letter ABA (FCL) & To Cash Letter ABA (TCL)

You sent the cash/ return letter to the Federal Reserve

  • FCL - Your institution’s ABA #
  • TCL - Federal Reserve’s ABA #

The Federal Reserve sent the cash/ return letter to your institution

  • FCL - Federal Reserve's ABA #
  • TCL - Your institution's ABA #
Product Type (PROD) The appropriate cash letter product code 3-character cash letter product code from the drop-down list
Cash Letter or Entry Date (CLED) Date of the cash/ return letter
Cash Letter Total (CLT) Cash/ return letter total in which the requested item is contained
Tape Total (TT) Tape/bundle total in which the requested item is contained
Sequence Number (SEQ)

If you deposited the item with the Federal Reserve - your sequence #

If you received the item from the Federal Reserve - the Federal Reserve’s ISN#

Item Before Amount (IBEF) Dollar amount of the item listed on the cash/return letter detail listing before the requested item. If the requested item is the first item, then enter .00.
Item After Amount (IAFT) Dollar amount of the item listed on the cash/return letter detail listing after the requested item. If the requested item is the last item, then enter .00.
Listed As Amount (LAS) The incorrect dollar amount as encoded on the item's MICR line
Should Be Amount (SBE) The written (legal) dollar amount of the item

*Same Day Entry/Acknowledgement Requirements

All electronic adjustment requests received by 5:00 p.m. ET with complete information will receive same day entry/acknowledgement. Supporting documentation (attachments) must be provided at the same time the electronic adjustment message is submitted. For requests submitted using the text (TXT) file format, attachments must be received within five business days of receipt of the electronic request. If the supporting documentation is required and not received the request will be resolved back to the requester and any provisional entry will be reversed.

All paper adjustment requests received at the Check Adjustments Centralized Data Entry Site by 11:00 a.m. ET with complete information and documentation will receive same day entry/acknowledgement.

Select an Error Type

Retired Investigation Types

The following investigation types are outdated and have minimal usage. These investigation types were eliminated on May 22, 2017.

Select an Error Type

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