Bank wont accept my cheque, name on cheque differs to account name

Gers

I have never used my first name which is shown my birth certificate.  Every official document (apart from BC), passport, driving licence  is in my second name and surname, no indication of any other name.  Same with all my banking accounts and medical records.

The only difficulty was way back in the late 70s when I had to sign on for a few weeks and DHSS accused me of fraud!  That's when I made sure that was sorted - now DWP and HMRC have dropped my first name.

p00hsticks

Thrugelmir said:

p00hsticks said:

anotheruser said:

Thrugelmir said:

Bring your bank account into line with the name you actually use everyday. . 

This.
Not sure why people seem to make their lives complicated.

Sometimes (as happened with a relative of mine) it's the parents fault that life is complicated in this way, by deciding to name their child A B (perhaps because A is their own name)  but bringing them up to be referred to as B. There are then always documents (driving licence, passport ? that need to reflect the name as formally given on the birth certificate, whislt other items wil lbe in the everyday name. It's not always then straightforward for the child to untangle.

The OP has a bank account in the name of X but uses the name Y on a utility account. Where do the actions of a parent come into this? As far as the bank is concerned X and Y could be totally different people. 

As I've said, the actions of the parent are to register the birth in the name X but bring them up calling them Y  The bank will require some official proof of identity such as birth certificate,. passport etc that will have the name X on, and set the account up in that name, but everyone will know the person as Y and are likely to write cheques in that name - they may not even be aware that it's not their full name. Like cx6, I know several people in this situation, and I'm surprised you've not come across it as I thought it was reasonable common- perhaps it;s a regional / cultural thing.

someone

My understanding has always been any forename (that is any name before your surname) can legally be used to execute documents etc in the UK. Like any forename can be used without it been considered an alias. There isn't even a need to even consider deed poll if you do it. For that reason it's odd the bank didn't accept the cheque. If it has not been marked in anyway I would just take it to another branch and try and present it again.

jon81uk

paul2louise said:

flo22 said:

I too use my middle name and my bank account has my preferred name set.  Have you tried to pay the cheque in only at a branch?  Maybe pay in in on the App?

i used the app and it got accepted and then rejected. We dont have a bank as such just a mobile van that comes fortnightly. They closed all the branches nearby. Nearest main bank is 15 miles away.

Paying in via the App is a lot more automated whereas a human may give a different response (depending exactly on the reason). Go to the van when it comes, or wait til you need to go into town and then do it then. Or phone the bank and ask.
If it is simple such as bank has Alexander Smith and the cheque is to Alex Smith they probably will accept it in person.

Uxb1

I've had a cheque rejected by the bank about 10 years ago when it was written as "first initial, illegible squiggle for my middle initial, surname"
I got it re-written to just read first initial, surname - accepted.

Brie

I've had a cheque rejected because it had my OH's surname on it.  As in "Brie & OH Surname" rather than "Brie Name & OH Surname".  This despite it was a joint account.  It was all down to the officiousness of one individual and I found that if I deposited it in a different way (different branch) it sailed through just fine.  

I suspect that if you use the van or even the post office there will be no issue.  And then after that make sure you have all your accounts (bank or otherwise) using the same name.

Nofinway

p00hsticks said:

Thrugelmir said:

p00hsticks said:

anotheruser said:

Thrugelmir said:

Bring your bank account into line with the name you actually use everyday. . 

This.
Not sure why people seem to make their lives complicated.

Sometimes (as happened with a relative of mine) it's the parents fault that life is complicated in this way, by deciding to name their child A B (perhaps because A is their own name)  but bringing them up to be referred to as B. There are then always documents (driving licence, passport ? that need to reflect the name as formally given on the birth certificate, whislt other items wil lbe in the everyday name. It's not always then straightforward for the child to untangle.

The OP has a bank account in the name of X but uses the name Y on a utility account. Where do the actions of a parent come into this? As far as the bank is concerned X and Y could be totally different people. 

As I've said, the actions of the parent are to register the birth in the name X but bring them up calling them Y  The bank will require some official proof of identity such as birth certificate,. passport etc that will have the name X on, and set the account up in that name, but everyone will know the person as Y and are likely to write cheques in that name - they may not even be aware that it's not their full name. Like cx6, I know several people in this situation, and I'm surprised you've not come across it as I thought it was reasonable common- perhaps it;s a regional / cultural thing.

Both of my parents were known by their second names for all of their lives however their correct legal name and what they used on anything remotely official/contracts/receiving payments was always the correct name as registered. 

The real question is why on earth did the OP set up the energy account not using their correct registered name?

Descrabled

We had this exact problem with a refund cheque from an electricity company..  We set off to visit each bank and each branch presenting the cheque. On the 2nd branch of the 2nd bank, i.e. the third attempt, it was accepted without any query.