We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Cheque Problem!! Advice Please!

Hello all, this is my first post here and I figured all you well-informed people might be able to assist ... hopefully!

I recently received a cheque through the post as a birthday present for my child from my ex partner, who has since moved abroad. He still has property in the UK and has clearly left his sister in charge of his assets whilst the property sells. The cheque was made payable to my child, from the ex's UK bank account but signed by his sister whose name isn't on the cheque. I presented the cheque to a bank today to pay into my son's account and they refused to accept it as it is technically fraudulently signed.

Any ideas what I can do with it now? I have no forwarding address for the ex or his sister. All suggestions (within reason!!) gratefully received!
«1

Comments

  • LittleVoice
    LittleVoice Posts: 8,974 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Flumpette wrote: »
    Hello all, this is my first post here and I figured all you well-informed people might be able to assist ... hopefully!

    I recently received a cheque through the post as a birthday present for my child from my ex partner, who has since moved abroad. He still has property in the UK and has clearly left his sister in charge of his assets whilst the property sells. The cheque was made payable to my child, from the ex's UK bank account but signed by his sister whose name isn't on the cheque. I presented the cheque to a bank today to pay into my son's account and they refused to accept it as it is technically fraudulently signed.

    Any ideas what I can do with it now? I have no forwarding address for the ex or his sister. All suggestions (within reason!!) gratefully received!

    How did they know that it was technically fraudulently signed? I'm surprised they looked at the signature.

    However you could write to your ex c/o the bank on which the cheque was drawn. Ask the bank to forward it. Explain in your letter to your ex that you have the cheque which has been rejected by a bank.
  • BlueC
    BlueC Posts: 734 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    How did they know that it was technically fraudulently signed? I'm surprised they looked at the signature.

    That was my immediate reaction. How did the bank know that his sister had signed it and not him?
  • Buzby
    Buzby Posts: 8,275 Forumite
    If your bank ATM allows deposits, pay it in again that way!
  • innovate
    innovate Posts: 16,217 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Buzby wrote: »
    If your bank ATM allows deposits, pay it in again that way!

    The cheque will not clear if it is not signed by the account holder.
  • JuicyJesus
    JuicyJesus Posts: 3,832 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I can think of several ways that someone completely different from the account holder could legitimately sign a cheque. Third party mandates for one. Powers of attorney for another.

    I can understand them being cautious though. Cheque fraud is depressingly common, and they have to cover their own backs here.
    urs sinserly,
    ~~joosy jeezus~~
  • jonesMUFCforever
    jonesMUFCforever Posts: 28,898 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Was the cheque drawn on the same bank as it was paid into?
    If so a signature check may have been carried out - paying it in through a deposit machine won't change that.
  • coldhandoff
    coldhandoff Posts: 128 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Flumpette wrote: »
    they refused to accept it as it is technically fraudulently signed
    You didn't actually tell them that did you?
    I work for Natwest.
  • How did they know that it was technically fraudulently signed? I'm surprised they looked at the signature.

    However you could write to your ex c/o the bank on which the cheque was drawn. Ask the bank to forward it. Explain in your letter to your ex that you have the cheque which has been rejected by a bank.


    Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply.

    They knew it was signed by another person as his sister has signed the cheque with her name, but it's got my ex's name on the cheque!
  • madgagoo
    madgagoo Posts: 354 Forumite
    innovate wrote: »
    The cheque will not clear if it is not signed by the account holder.

    I'm sorry to say that this comment is just wrong. A cheque will not (or should not) clear if it is not signed by a signatory but this person does not have to be an account holder.
  • coldhandoff
    coldhandoff Posts: 128 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    I assume that's what they meant
    I work for Natwest.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.3K Spending & Discounts
  • 245.3K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 600.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.5K Life & Family
  • 259.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.