How to cash a HMRC Cheque?

a01020304

I do not have a conventional bank account, only a prepaid debit mastercard. I am unable to get a normal bank account due to certain circumstances so please do not tell me to open a bank account on the high street. The only account I have and can get is the prepaid online ones.

The prepaid account I have can only get deposits through paypoint shops or bacs and no other way.

Anyway,
I have been sent a HMRC cheque for a tax refund, they initially promised it would be sent by bacs but now tell me it can only be sent by cheque, I do not have cheque facilities so cannot deposit it into my account, i do not have any friends or anyone who i can nominate.

This is total discrimination as they are holding my money hostage, how can I get my money from the HMRC? They do not have a problem paying tax credits by bacs so why is tax refunds different?

can anyone please advise me what I can do? I need all this money so cheque cashing places no good as they will take a large chunk of this amount for themselves.

BigAunty

Just to confirm, you can't even get a basic bank account opened (which virtually anyone can) or you don't want to open a basic bank account?

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/basic-bank-accounts

And you can't afford to lose the 4% loss than the lowest cheque cashing companies charge as a commission?

You could ask on the Debt Free wanabee board as perhaps the posters there have more experience of operating without a bank account.

Naf

ANYONE can open a savings account, which you can then pay the cheque into.

poppasmurf_bewdley

Naf wrote: »

ANYONE can open a savings account, which you can then pay the cheque into.

Assuming they have the required documentation to prove who they are, ie Passport, Driving Licence, Utility Bill, etc, etc.

People like asylum seekers and illegal immigrants would find it difficult to do so unless they have forged or illegally obtained documents.

satarical

Naf wrote: »

ANYONE can open a savings account, which you can then pay the cheque into.

No they can't!

There are some that a bank will never allow to operate an account with them beit a current of savings account.

In the main it is those that have had a long and consistent history of unpaid debts, bankruptcy etc and especially those that have a criminal record involving fraud or money laundering.

iluvmarmite

There will be at least one high street bank, or post office that will let any one, regardless of credit history, open a basic account as there will be no overdraft facilities so they can get into financial difficulty with the bank.

The one thing that would stop it is no ID. OP, a friend wouldn't be able to put the cheque through their account as it has to be put through the account of the person named on the cheque.

You don't want to go to a cheque cashing service, you can't put it through your bank, the tax people won't pay by bacs so there is sod all you can do.

dundeediva

Have you tried to get a post office account?

PS. You're money isnt being held "hostage" but thanks for the giggles :T

EmmaHerts

Why don't you switch your account to Thinkbanking as you can pay in things over the counter at (I think) RBS.

Obviously they charge but it sounds like your current lot do as well!

MamaMoo_2

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

Assuming they have the required documentation to prove who they are, ie Passport, Driving Licence, Utility Bill, etc, etc.

People like asylum seekers and illegal immigrants would find it difficult to do so unless they have forged or illegally obtained documents.

Although an asylum seeker or illegal immigrant is unlikely to be receiving a cheque from HMRC...

euanT

MamaMoo wrote: »

Although an asylum seeker or illegal immigrant is unlikely to be receiving a cheque from HMRC...

just ask to have the cheque issued in a friends name, or family member, they did this for my daughter

poppasmurf_bewdley

MamaMoo wrote: »

Although an asylum seeker or illegal immigrant is unlikely to be receiving a cheque from HMRC...

But are likely to try and open a bank account using the documents I mentioned.