A wireless check authorization system and method that determines in real time, upon receipt of check information from a check writer, whether the check writer's checking account is open, whether the check writer has written more than a specified number of checks in a specified time period, whether the check writer's checking account has any unpaid checks, and/or whether the checking account has a positive account balance, using a standard off-the-shelf handheld wireless device, such as a text messaging enabled cell phone, web enabled cell phone, short message service enabled wireless device, wireless application protocol enabled cell phone, personal digital assistant, pager, mobile phone, or other suitable wireless device, that a check taker typically carries substantially at all times, is easy to use, low priced, cost effective, and indicates to the check taker, in a simple and easy to understand manner, whether or not to accept a check for payment.