Account closed cheque issued but nowhere to cash

HouHou

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone can help? My Chinese friend has had her Santander bank account closed in the UK and a cheque has been issued for the balance. Unfortunately, she is back in China and now won't be returning to the UK. Can the banks issue any other form of payment for the balance that she can cash back in China? (Or any other ideas)

I can only think of traveller's cheques, if that was possible, but any suggestions are much appreciated. I will go to the bank but thought it good to ask here first so I can prompt the bank with any suggestions. Thank you for your time!

john1002

Unfortunately the bank has done everything it needs to do, as such your friend will need to approach her Chinese bank and get it cashed there, or get you to go to a cheque cashing service and transferring the amount via bank transfer from your account. May need to check with whoever you intend to use what they will require.

Good luck

John

Don80

Hi. I would suggest she contacts Santander and explains she is in China, with no UK account. She could ask them to cancel the cheque and make a transfer. She should ask for that to go to her Chinese account, there may be a charge. If they already know she is in China, she should complain about them issuing a cheque in the first place!

HouHou

Thank you both for such quick responses!
Myself cashing the cheque would be easiest/quickest but I thought it would have to be the person named on the cheque to cash it, so I'll look in to that. I'll also see if she can find someone helpful through phoning. Thanks again!

Don80

HouHou wrote: »

Thank you both for such quick responses!
Myself cashing the cheque would be easiest/quickest but I thought it would have to be the person named on the cheque to cash it, so I'll look in to that. I'll also see if she can find someone helpful through phoning. Thanks again!

It does need to be the person named on the cheque (it's probably got something like "Account Payee" or "Payee Only" written on it). Unless your friend could persuade them to make the cheque out to you, but that would be unlikely.

HouHou

Just thought I'd post a quick response in case this is ever searched. Santander's answer is simply the cheque should be able to be cashed in China, as a UK bank would cash US, french, German, Chinese etc. cheques (although the process may be a bit longer and he'd never cashed a Chinese cheque). This may be a bit tricky for my friend but a large branch should be in the know.