insurance/protection of deposit given to solicitor

ferox666

I'm a worrier. Gave cheque for my deposit to receptionist at the solicitors firm dealing with house purchase and stupidly didn't write a "line" to remove rest of space from payee line on cheque, and my writing was very small and barely took up any space, and now worrying what if she or other staff member altered payee and stolen and did a runner. Stupid & unlikely I know.

Just curious and got me thinking - what insurance/protection is in place if any?? I know solicitors have to have client money insurance etc but if the firm never technically received it because it was diverted and altered would it cover me?? or does the bank refund you if you';re a victim of cheque fraud ?? I'm in scotland and its a public holiday on monday but will call & make sure they got it on tuesday!! Would just be comforting to know that if the 0.001% chance of the above happening the money wouldn't be lost :S

G_M

Did you get a receipt?

I doubt you need worry - the chance of the receptionis going off with the money is.... well, remote. It would be fraud. It would be a criminal matter. It would be fairly easy to trace to her. She would either be caught very quickly, or have to 'go on the run'.

Ring next week to check (and request written confirmation of safe receipt). Meanwhile, relax and enjoy the weekend!

ACG

The company has received the money, you gave it to one of their representatives.

But where its got paid to: Joe Bloggs Solicitors if they add something after that it still want show as their account.

ferox666

G_M wrote: »

Did you get a receipt?

I doubt you need worry - the chance of the receptionis going off with the money is.... well, remote. It would be fraud. It would be a criminal matter. It would be fairly easy to trace to her. She would either be caught very quickly, or have to 'go on the run'.

Ring next week to check (and request written confirmation of safe receipt). Meanwhile, relax and enjoy the weekend!

Thanks for taking time to reply and re-assure me, And also ACG. Needed a common sense reply

I think I'm just getting OCD/extreme anxiety with the whole buying process and worrying about everything that can possibly go wrong ..you are right it's remote and would easily be traced so unlikely. will stop worrying!