Unpaid cheque Santander

James.Millar788

Anyone else had a similar issue?

I paid just shy of £5000 for building work and was shocked to see that the money was returned to my account this afternoon saying that it was unpaid.

On querying it Santander said that I hadn't signed the cheque but I know I did because I'd taken a picture of the cheque before sending it. On saying that the agent quickly backtracked saying that I might not have had enough funds and after waiting whilst he confirmed I did. He said he'll have to review it in case I did something else wrong.

I forgot to ask but will the builder face a bouched cheque fee? Will Santander have any responsibility to offer compensation if it's their fault?

jonesMUFCforever

........More likely IMO is that the signature on the cheque did not match that on their records or they did not have a signature to check against.

In cases like this you should not be charged a fee for the return.
The builder's bank might charge him a fee.

When the builder confirms he has the cheque back why not send him the money by faster payment?
No hassle for you and almost immediate clearance of funds for him.

James.Millar788

That makes a lot of sense I have written a lot of cheques with Santander so I am sure they have my signature but I guess all it takes is one over-zealous employee to get upset over my poor handwriting.

Can I ask Santander to cover the builder's fee?

Shakin_Steve

James.Millar788 wrote: »

That makes a lot of sense I have written a lot of cheques with Santander so I am sure they have my signature but I guess all it takes is one over-zealous employee to get upset over my poor handwriting.

Can I ask Santander to cover the builder's fee?

Either way, you'd think the pillock on the other end of the phone would be able to give a definitive answer, or at least say they weren't sure, instead of fumbling around for a reason that might be the case.

James.Millar788

He says someone had written that I hadn't signed the cheque. After I told him I know I did as I'd picture proof he checked my balance and then when that was okay he said he'd need to see the cheque!

xylophone

You have a photograph of the correctly drawn cheque and proof that your accounts held the funds to meet it.

Santander have given inaccurate answers to your enquiries.


Make a formal, written complaint.

Explain to your builder what has happened.

When you get the unpaid cheque back, arrange FP?



Let's hope that Santander do not choose to delay the payment " for security purposes".

Dr_Crypto

Could be different with business accounts but when someone wrote me a rubber cheque a few years ago I wasn't charged any fees. Never did get the money back.