Uncrossed postal order

soolin

I tried to pay an uncrossed postal order made payable to me into my Metro bank this morning and they said that banks are not allowed to do anything with a postal order unless it is crossed.

I’ve looked online and can’t seem to find a definite answer but since Metro have made errors on their understanding of banking regs in the past on my account ,  I thought I would check on here. I have meanwhile already taken it to the PO who initially refused to cash it as I had no bank account enabled with them, but after returning and asking to speak to the manager, they finally cashed it for me. 

Hazzanet

A crossed postal order means that it can only be paid into a bank account.  An uncrossed order is as good as cash and you should still be able to pay it in to a bank account.  Metro Bank are wrong in my opinion.  

jonesMUFCforever

I agree a Postal order whether crossed or uncrossed is just like a cheque - if it has your name on it, Metro should have accepted it into your account.
Was it for a large amount? Does Metro not offer digital imaging of cheques through their app?

soolin

jonesMUFCforever said:

I agree a Postal order whether crossed or uncrossed is just like a cheque - if it has your name on it, Metro should have accepted it into your account.
Was it for a large amount? Does Metro not offer digital imaging of cheques through their app?

It was only £6 and the first time I have seen one for years (I sold something on facebook marketplace to an elderly lady in a residential home and she doesn't 'do' online banking or paypal. )

I thought Metro bank were wrong but I didn't want to be one of those people who demand their rights- without checking that they know what they are talking about! In the past Metro have done things that have led me to accuse them of not being a real bank . I may send them another complaint about retraining their staff, for all the good it does. 

Hazzanet

If necessary, S77(2) of the Bills of Exchange Act 1882 allows you to cross it yourself:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/45-46/61/section/77

soolin

Hazzanet said:

If necessary, S77(2) of the Bills of Exchange Act 1882 allows you to cross it yourself:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/45-46/61/section/77

I actually thought of doing that !

General_Grant

soolin said:

Hazzanet said:

If necessary, S77(2) of the Bills of Exchange Act 1882 allows you to cross it yourself:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/45-46/61/section/77

I actually thought of doing that !

You should have done it as soon as you received it.  I would.  Safer that way.

soolin

I have tried making a complaint to Metro and phoned the number given online for 'complaints'. basically it is just customer services, they took the details of my complaint and asked me to hold whilst I was transferred to the complaint department - I waited 20 minutes only to be told that no one was available to take a complaint, but f I left my number they would get back to me within 10 minutes or so. 

I'm still waiting.... I find it incredible in this day and age that some companies make it impossible to make a formal complaint. With my last big (and ongoing complaint) I actually wrote to their CEO and never got a response .

jonesMUFCforever

Soolin I would urge caution - it was only £6 after all - something that you do not get very often these days.
If you are seen as a serial complainer they might 'manage you away' ie come to the conclusion that the banking contract between you has broken down and ask you (or tell you) to close your account.

You may be right with both complaints - not taking sides here.

soolin

jonesMUFCforever said:

Soolin I would urge caution - it was only £6 after all - something that you do not get very often these days.
If you are seen as a serial complainer they might 'manage you away' ie come to the conclusion that the banking contract between you has broken down and ask you (or tell you) to close your account.

You may be right with both complaints - not taking sides here.

I wouldn’t be too worried if they did close my accounts, it is just a bank I use to save my holiday money and I’ve less than £10,000 in there at the moment . I’m surprised they haven’t closed them already to be honest having gone to the FSA my main bank is elsewhere and I already have a back up. I tend to use the Metro money counting machine in branch and that’s about it, otherwise I just transfer money in when I make decent EBay sales and when I get freelance income. 

My first complaint is with the FSA at the moment, been with them for a few months (failure to do a chargeback when a hotel closed before my stay and would only give me a voucher for a future stay- but where I was reassured several times that the chargeback was progressing and they were just waiting to hear back from the hotel). 

I no longer trust Metro and will probably look into one of the other banks that have debit cards with no FX costs when using them in Europe. 

[Deleted User]

You've went to the FSA about something? Do you mean the FOS? 
Strictly speaking,  Metro don't have to accept deposits so I'm not sure how strong your case will be.