Just found a cheque!

[Dos_Box]

I've just been sortign out a load of what I though were rubbish old letters and found a cheque from February. Can I stall cash it or is there a time limit before they become invalid?

[powdarrmonkey]

Six months from the date on the cheque, usually. So probably not.

[cookie_monster]

You'll probably have to ask them to write it again as it's usualy 6 months.

[Dos_Box]

Bugger. Ah well. It wasn't for a lot anyway.

[sparkeh]

In legislation cheques are valid for 6 years, however its standard practice for banks to refuse after 6 months.

[ahuxham]

If it were me, I'd walk into branch, tell them they're valid for 6 years and start stamping my feet when they don't accept it.

 

They are reliant on us, we aren't reliant on them.

[apoth0r]

Write to the people who wrote the cheque as a common courtesy. You don't want to annoy the people/person if they haven't funds available.

[laserblazer]

Write to the people who wrote the cheque as a common courtesy. You don't want to annoy the people/person if they haven't funds available.

 

They also might wonder why it hasn't been cashed.

[Gatt]

It's also possible that the writer has cancelled the cheque - whcih means it will be a bit like a flat bouncy ball

[SpecialAgent]

If it were me, I'd walk into branch, tell them they're valid for 6 years and start stamping my feet when they don't accept it.

 

They are reliant on us, we aren't reliant on them.

 

I'd challenge that perspective, given the recent anouncements in the press about bankers bonus' whilst we are still trying to cope with the recession!!!!

[Hightower]

I've just been sortign out a load of what I though were rubbish old letters and found a cheque from February. Can I stall cash it or is there a time limit before they become invalid?

 

A cheque to EduGeek?

[mpe]

Bugger. Ah well. It wasn't for a lot anyway.

 

IIRC they carried out some tests on Watchdog and were able to pay in cheques with signatures which obviously didn't match the name. So you may as well try paying it in.

[sparkeh]

"Apparently" cheques for small amounts are really scrutinized that hard by staff and all kinds of things slip past.

[Dos_Box]

A cheque to EduGeek?

 

Yes. Google ads. Not very much.

[FN-GM]

Yes. Google ads. Not very much.

 

If its for the ads i would go for it. You wouldnt want all the time the users wasted with this stupid adverts to go to waste would you

[apoth0r]

Ahh if it's Google, go for it

They have far too much money anyway

[GrumbleDook]

Inform the payer that you will be banking it, albeit late, give them two working weeks to respond with an alternative payment method (new cheque or money transfer via BACS etc) and then bank the cheque if nothing is forthcoming. The bank should not refuse the cheque once you have explained that they have not provided you with an alternative method of payment and should it be bounced due to cancellation then you also incur no charges but you and you bank can charge them to the wasted time.

 

CAB has got some good advice around this sort of thing as a common tactic of people dodging rent is to wrongly date their cheques to try and make them too old, knowing that banks will get awkward, giving them more time to scape the rent together or do a runner.

[Sylv3r]

I once read somewhere that different banks had different rules - some said 6 months whilst others were 9.

[john]

IIRC they carried out some tests on Watchdog and were able to pay in cheques with signatures which obviously didn't match the name. So you may as well try paying it in.

I was told the other week that any cheque under £1K in value, isn't checked for signatures and hasn't been so for a good few years now. Its good having friends who are former bank staff. Obviously if your giving your guarantee card etc it will be obvious if you sign M Mouse and the name is P Jones on the cheque but it certainly works. Makes you wonder what else banks don't check on.