A method is provided of operating an image-based self-service check depositing terminal when a customer at the terminal is conducting a check deposit transaction. A check to be deposited is received from the customer. An image capture device electronically captures check image data which is representative of an image of the check. The check image data is electronically transmitted via a first communications network to a web service provider to allow the web service provider to determine if the check being deposited is a duplicate check. A verification message is received from the web-based service provider indicating that the check being deposited is either a duplicate check or not a duplicate check. The check image data is transmitted via a second communications network to a consolidation server when the verification message indicates that the check being deposited in not a duplicate check.