Stopping a cheque that has cleared ??

Dave2112

Hi

Is it possible to "reverse" or stop a cheque you've written once it has cleared from your account ?

Basically, I had some work done with my neighbours involving two contractors. I wrote a £xxx cheque out to "A Person" (name withheld for the time being) when I was asked for payment. Now, the main contractor is saying I should have paid them, they haven't been paid and know nothing of this "A Person". No receipt as they were going to provide one receipt covering all neighbours. Nothing written on the cheque to guarantee it.

I've been to the building society and they say I cannot get the funds returned to my account - though I'm sure I've read of this happening where cheques are stopped weeks or months later.

Instead I have to go to the Police, report the fraud/deception and they will liase with the Building Society. What happens then is anyones guess.

I've looked at the APACS site and have found examples of cheques being overturned weeks later but can't find any actual evidence of how to go about this.

Any suggestions? I know that it looks like I've been well and truly stitched up but if anyone can provide a glimmer of hope that would be great.

Dave

dunstonh

Is it possible to "reverse" or stop a cheque you've written once it has cleared from your account ?

In the normal sense of things, no its not. Going back many many years to my banking law exam days, there are some obscure events that can allow it but nothing useful for you.

You should go to the police and they can put a trace on the cheque to see what bank account it was paid into. If the person is stupid, it will be their own (it happens) and you could get lucky. If not, it then becomes a crime statistic unless the police get lucky. Even then, you may not get your money back and even if you do, it may be a couple of years and could even be paid in installments.

Dave2112

Tks

I've found the following link that suggests that cheques can be reversed many weeks/months afterwards so fingers crossed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/moneybox/3709908.stm

(haven't been able to hyper link as work seems to block it)

Jay-Jay_4

Go to the police, get a crime reference number, go back to your bank and report it as fraud.

They won't do anything without a crime reference number but they can (as dunston explained) quite easily get the details of the receiving account and liaise with account holders bank's fraud dept in the hope that the money will be recovered.

Don't hold your breath, don't expect an immediate refund. In reality this was your mistake and it's very dificult to prove either way that the payee wasn't entitled to the money you gave him although you know this to be the case.

Have you any contact 'Person A'?

Dave2112

Tks

I'm typing up the report for the police this afternoon and shall drop it round there later. No, I haven't seen "Person A" since but I shall check the local phone directory when I get home to see where they live as it's not a common name.

I can also get a copy of the cheque with the account details it's been paid into from the BS but they suggest letting the police get it as they might then pay for it.

Oh well, turned down on endowment misselling, fund provider readjusts their funds to give me 10% less in value over night and falling for a scam. What a fortnight :-(

Mikeyorks

Regret you can't stop a cheque once it has cleared.

Yes,there are a very small percentage of instances where cheques are bounced later. But it's primarily some mess-up by one of the Banks in the Clearing process. You can't initiate that - nor can your Bank do it for you

Treat it as fraud - and I trust you get your funds back.