Question about cheque withdrawal

[Deleted User]

Hi,

I check my bank statements online every few days to keep on top of things. I must admit I havnet checked sicne 20th as Chrstmas tends to let thigns slip!

Anyway I just noticed this:
24th Dec - CHEQUE WITHDRAWAL Teesside MC - £100

What does this mean?? What is a cheque withdrawal?? Is it where someone goes into a bank and takes out money with a chequebook?? It isn't me (I live in Derbyshire and nowhere near Teesside - and what Teesside MC is I do not know). I can't think of anything I have paid for by cheque - and even if I did the money would have shown up on my account as having the cheque number on wouldn't it?? I have never written a cheque out to cash so I am very very confused.

Does it look like it's just a banking error and they have taken it out of my account instead of someone elses?? I will of course wring them first thing in case I have had my cheque book stolen (I can't see it at the mo but that's not unusual my office is a tip!)

My hubby is ranting around the house swearing blind someone has stolen from us but I wondered if a cheque withdrawal rally does mean what we suspect - that someone has our chequebook and they have gone into the bank to take out money.

Any advice??

Mikeyorks

shelvis wrote: »

Any advice??

Ring your Bank.

'Cheque withdrawal' sounds like a 'counter cheque' (for £100)? Teesside MC - sounds like 'Teesside Magistrates Court'??

Presumably you would know if you've drawn a counter cheque for the Court? But why would you if you have a cheque book? But regret it's the best chord I can strike. Your Bank should be able to tell you the facts.

[Deleted User]

So what is a counter cheque?? When you ask the bank to make you a cheque rather than write one??

Sorry for my ignorance but I have not come across this before. I rarely use the chequebook and pay most things by credit card and transfer online from current account to that.

Mikeyorks

shelvis wrote: »

So what is a counter cheque?? When you ask the bank to make you a cheque rather than write one??

Exactly that. You ask them for a cheque and specify the payee / value. Haven't done one for ages - and Banks don't universally use the same descriptions .... but it's the only thing that seems to identify to your OP.

But it would be stupid if this was fraud (as opposed to the Bank somehow debiting the wrong account) .... as the Court (if it is) could trace back to their 'client'

[Deleted User]

Thank you.

I was confused you see. I thought when you asked the bank to write you a cheque it was called a bankers draft. I assumed a counter cheque was when you cashed a cheque over the counter - but i couldn't see how this had been done without our ID and it definately isn't us. And I couldn't be sure that the Teesside MC (whatever that is!) was where the cheque had been raised or where it had been paid.

Tis very odd. Either way where the hell is Teesside!!

Mikeyorks

Bankers Draft / Counter cheque / Building Society cheque - all broadly the same.

Money is debited to your account immediately - and the cheque is then funded by the Bank. Which means it carries a higher level of guarantee than a personal cheque.

Teesside - where the River Tees flows out onto the North East coast. Around Redcar etc. If you want to swim in the Arctic ever - you practice in the sea around there! That way you will be acclimatised, as the water in the Arctic appears warmer;)

Seriously - could be wholly on the wrong tack. But I do suspect I'm not far off .. and just trust the Bank did it from manual data and have debited the wrong account.. they should rapidly be able to say which Branch did it and then audit trail it from there. Can't reasonably be fraud ... as it's so traceable .. if it is a counter cheque.

[Deleted User]

No i figured if it was fraud it would be for a fair bit more than £100!!! I expect the bank have cocked up so will ring them first thing. Just wanted to be reassured so I can calm down OH who always assumes the worst!! LOL.

Thanks so much for all your help Mikeyorks.

Mikeyorks

You're welcome. But post back tomorrow - I'm intrigued.

And trust I've pointed in the right direction (as well as to Teesside!);)

Thomas_Crown

Mikeyorks wrote: »

Bankers Draft / Counter cheque / Building Society cheque - all broadly the same.

I have always understood a counter cheque to be where, for instance, a customer goes to a branch of their bank (preferably their own branch) without their cash card & needs to make a cash withdrawal. The customer gives the cashier their sort code (if applicable) & their account number whereby the cashier completes a 'counter cheque' for £xxx & hands it to the customer to sign before issuing the cash.

[Deleted User]

Thomas_Crown wrote: »

I have always understood a counter cheque to be where, for instance, a customer goes to a branch of their bank (preferably their own branch) without their cash card & needs to make a cash withdrawal. The customer gives the cashier their sort code (if applicable) & their account number whereby the cashier completes a 'counter cheque' for £xxx & hands it to the customer to sign before issuing the cash.

But then it would be made out to yourself and not to Teeside MC

[Deleted User]

Panic over!! It was a transfer I had done online to my flexible mortgage. For some reason it hadn't been done through normal channels and had gone throuhg as a counter cheque. Goodness knows why they did it that way but no wonder it was unrecognisable to me!!

Teesside MC is Teesside Mortgage Centre! Doh!!

Thanks everyone though. I am still as clear as mud as to what a counter cheque is but at least I know my account is still safe!