Old cheques+Tesco vouchers

pixiechick99

Hi all,
I'm having a huge clear out and in the process have found 2 cheques payable to me, both 2 years old-one is dated 23 May 06 and the other 3 June 06. Have I completely missed out on banking these?!!
Also I found £9 worth of Tesco vouchers valid until 07 - does anyone know if Tesco would renew these?
Many thanks,

rayday2

Cheques only have 6 months to be cashed so blew that one!

Tesco you would have to do some severe creeping but I think thats why they have an expiry on so don't hold any hope out sorry!

tallyhoh

You could try asking the persons who issued the cheques to re-issue if you return the old ones. Worth a try, cant see why they shouldnt.
They are legally valid for 6 years but its at the banks discretion (sp?)

rayday2

When I worked at a bank one of the few checks was that it was under 6 months. It has to be that way because its unfair to the issuer they won't know when to expect clearance if its longer than 6 months.

I doubt unless its a huge amount the banks will be interested.

Yorkielass

As I discovered yesterday cheques actually have a life of 6 years, and although it's generally accepted that they are only valid for 6 months, banks can cash them after that date - although most will contact the writer of the cheque first, especially if it's a large amount. It obviously depends if the accounts still open.

I had a cheque taken for £15 last week which had been written and given to the recipient last June so nearly 11 months old. I phoned my bank (Lloyds) to check and then OH looked it up online - can't remember where FSA or banking code or something and we discovered the 6 months thing was a myth!

With the tesco clubcard vouchers I'd ring them and ask - it's a freephone number so no harm in trying!

rayday2

Just found this on the APACS website: (common practice being on the bankers part - hence the reason we were told to reject I think!)

Is it true that cheques are only valid for six months?

It is common banking practice to reject cheques that are over six months old to protect the payer, on the basis that payment may already have been made by some other means or the cheque may have been lost or stolen. However, this is at the discretion of individual banks. It should not be assumed that cheques in excess of six months old would automatically be rejected — the only certain way to cancel a cheque is to request that a stop be placed on it (although cheques backed by a Cheque Guarantee Card cannot be stopped). It is recommended that, if possible, customers in possession of cheques that are over six months old obtain a replacement. A cheque remains legally valid for six years.

pixiechick99

Hi,
Thanks for all the swift replies.
One cheques is from my sister, only £9, but I've texted her to say I've found it-knowing how poor I am she may offer another! the other is from an uncle I don't see any more, I think the original cheque was a birthday present for my daughter. So I can't ask him for another, the only contact I have is thank you letters at Christmas!!
So should I maybe have a go paying it in? It is only £10, but they all add up! The cheques and the Tesco vouchers are almost £30, that's alot to me right now lol
Thamnks for all the help

rayday2

Its a moral thing what if he takes his account down to the wire and all of a sudden your cheque appears and he is overdrawn with bank charges?

Its a matter of courtesy to tell him you found it.

LilacPixie

With regards to the tesco vouchers you could try phoning them and asking nicely. I used to work for them and its about 50-50 with regards to getting them re-issued. Even if they say no if its clubcard vouchers you might be able to get points added to your account as a gesture of goodwill. always worth a try.

OliveOyl_2

I've written to to Sainsburys & Victoria Wine in the past re out of date vouchers. Both companies were perfectly charming. Sainsburys re-issued them, Victoria Wine wrote a letter saying that as they had no reports of that batch being stolen they remained valid. I took the letter with me when I spent them though :rotfl:

pixiechick99

Hi there,
Yes you're right about the cheque from my uncle, I think I'll just let that one go!!
As for Tesco, I rang them up and as the voucher was issued over 2 years ago I have to put it in writing - which I've just done and returned the vouchers! So fingers crossed...!