Cheque "lost" between Post Office and Bank of Scotland account

EJHuggins1987

Hi
I paid a cheque from car insurance company to my partner's Bank of Scotland account on 08/01/2019. Was advised by the Post Office that it would take 1 working day on top of standard processing times (3-5 working days). As of 8 working days later, the cheque is nowhere to be seen!
I have a receipt from the PO stating that I handed it to them, confirming the amount and the bank details of the account for payment. They are saying that the cheque has been sent off and they "have nothing to do with it once it's sent". My partner has contacted his bank who have confirmed that no cheque for the corresponding amount has been received at all and that it is the PO's fault and they should be investigating. He has also contacted the insurance company about the cheque and asked if it could be cancelled and re-issued if the cheque is not found. They have said no and their policy is that once the cheque is sent out, it is deemed to be cashed (not sure how)!
I have tried to speak to the Branch Manager at the PO in question but she is off sick and her replacement doesn't work Fridays so will be chasing that up tomorrow.
However, I just wondered if anyone has any pearls of wisdom as to how this might get sorted out? The cheque isn't for a massive amount but it's enough that I don't want to "write it off" to experience!
TIA

MarkFromCornwall

EJHuggins1987 wrote: »

Hi
I paid a cheque from car insurance company to my partner's Bank of Scotland account on 08/01/2019. Was advised by the Post Office that it would take 1 working day on top of standard processing times (3-5 working days). As of 8 working days later, the cheque is nowhere to be seen!
I have a receipt from the PO stating that I handed it to them, confirming the amount and the bank details of the account for payment. They are saying that the cheque has been sent off and they "have nothing to do with it once it's sent". My partner has contacted his bank who have confirmed that no cheque for the corresponding amount has been received at all and that it is the PO's fault and they should be investigating. He has also contacted the insurance company about the cheque and asked if it could be cancelled and re-issued if the cheque is not found. They have said no and their policy is that once the cheque is sent out, it is deemed to be cashed (not sure how)!
I have tried to speak to the Branch Manager at the PO in question but she is off sick and her replacement doesn't work Fridays so will be chasing that up tomorrow.
However, I just wondered if anyone has any pearls of wisdom as to how this might get sorted out? The cheque isn't for a massive amount but it's enough that I don't want to "write it off" to experience!
TIA

Similar happened to me. The cheque must have turned up eventually though as the money appeared in my account a few days after the bank said they had no record of it. I wouldn't be surprised if yours turns up in a few days. Since that experience I no longer pay in cheques at the post office unless they are of very low value because it's clear that the receipt that the post office issues is of no use whatsoever in supporting one's claim to have paid in a cheque.

sausage_time

Happened to me twice last year, both First Direct. One turned up, the other never did and I had to get a replacement cheque. Complete pain, and much time wasted chasing up. I'll never ever pay in a cheque at the Post Office in a sealed envelope again.


In this case the insurance company should reissue the cheque. If there is any cost associated your bank should cover (as FD offered me). It is they that have the contract with the Post Office.

clivep

EJHuggins1987 wrote: »

Hi
I paid a cheque from car insurance company to my partner's Bank of Scotland account on 08/01/2019.TIA

If the cheque was payable to you and you paid it into an account not in your name then this could be the problem. Most cheques are marked "a/c payee" meaning that they should only be able to be paid into a sole or joint account bearing their name.

alandaniel132

why use cheque?
use transfer fast and easy

SuperAllyB

Had a £25 premium.bond cheque disappear between post office and Alliance and Leicester once that reappeared nearly 6 weeks later.

Steckie54

Spotted this forum, and would like to add my own grim experience. A cheque was deposited with the Stenhousemuir branch of the P.O on the 12th of June this year to be forwarded to my Clydesdale Bank A/C. 12 days later, no sign of any funds in my A/C. Trying to get this sorted out is proving to be more difficult than solving the Brexit situation. Denials and silence all round.Extremely stressful and upsetting. Anyone thinking of going through the Post Office for this type of transacrion- DON'T. Grrrr.

A_Nice_Englishman

It's worth noting that both Bank of Scotland and Clydesdale Bank have apps that enable cheques to be paid in by taking a photo of them on your mobile device.

karlie88

A_Nice_Englishman wrote: »

It's worth noting that both Bank of Scotland and Clydesdale Bank have apps that enable cheques to be paid in by taking a photo of them on your mobile device.

*up to £500 per cheque.

20SmthngSver

sausage_time wrote: »

Happened to me twice last year, both First Direct. One turned up, the other never did and I had to get a replacement cheque. Complete pain, and much time wasted chasing up. I'll never ever pay in a cheque at the Post Office in a sealed envelope again.


In this case the insurance company should reissue the cheque. If there is any cost associated your bank should cover (as FD offered me). It is they that have the contract with the Post Office.

Just post direct to First Direct? You can ask them for pre-printed envelopes and enclose a paying in slip from your paying in book. Or deposit at a HSBC branch counter or ATM.

System

Steckie54 wrote: »

Spotted this forum, and would like to add my own grim experience. A cheque was deposited with the Stenhousemuir branch of the P.O on the 12th of June this year to be forwarded to my Clydesdale Bank A/C. 12 days later, no sign of any funds in my A/C. Trying to get this sorted out is proving to be more difficult than solving the Brexit situation. Denials and silence all round.Extremely stressful and upsetting. Anyone thinking of going through the Post Office for this type of transacrion- DON'T. Grrrr.

Use the app for less than £500 or Stenhousemuir branch of Clydesdale for high value cheques.