...ought to have their fingernails pulled out with a pair of pliers.
Just saying, that's all.
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Who still writes cheques? Most shops and garages don't even accept them any more. I haven't written one this year! There are legal remedies to deal with the problem without involving torture techniques - just saying
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I wrote a cheque for the first time in two years this week, to pay for The Boy's school photo's.
Writing a rubber one is technically fraud, istr.
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Deliver door to door and you haven't got much choice, same for window cleaners, gardeners and the like. The amounts involved are too small to bother with legal action but still enough to P you off.
"Mummy isn't in, mummy's in the bath, mummy got called into to work blah blah blah". The little brat hadn't even been taught how to lie convincingly. Let's hope he grows up to believe you don't have to pay your debts and borrows a few hundred off Big Sid's Loan Company. He'll know what the pliers feel like then.
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Can't understand people like that at all. I make a point of paying on the nail, and if for any reason I forget I feel mortified.
It must be tempting to tell them you'd rather not deal with them in future.
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My sister's window cleaner takes Paypal - a sign of the times ?
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>> It must be tempting to tell them you'd rather not deal with them in future.
>>
I've had a cheque paid to me bounce. Once.
Definitely a matter of honour - it is a promise to pay, after all.
I explained to the 'gentleman' involved that I honour my contracts, and that, when the cheque was re-presented, it had better go through, otherwise I'd be around to 'honour a contract'.
Unsurprisingly, it was cleared. Plus I received further payment for the extra fees I'd incurred.
I reall that at one stage HM's forces made it a court-martial offence to bounce a cheque.
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...I reall that at one stage HM's forces made it a court-martial offence to bounce a cheque...
Yes, that's right.
You were always safe to accept a cheque from a serviceman because if it bounced, he would get a huge rollicking from his commanding officer at the very least.
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It was a court martial offence but usually only used as an excuse to get rid of some misfit or training risk. For some reason these were called STUMER chques. I thought it might stand for something but it is slang
stu·mer [stoo-mer, styoo-]
noun British Slang .
1.
something bogus or fraudulent.
2.
a counterfeit coin or bill.
3.
rubber check.
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Reminds me of a few years ago when a cheque presented at our shop bounced. When re presented again it bounced, with additional fees on our business account.
The girl presenting the cheque was a hairdresser, so my ex found out her day off, took a spunky member of staff along to her salon where both had the full works, then refused to pay until the aforementioned cheque cleared.
One time wasting customer less and both a financial & moral victory.
You don't mess with my ex!
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I handle £1000's worth of cheques each year Is an easy way to pay and is free to process.
Never had a cheque bounce but one went back to me recently as it was dated "2001". My own fault for not double checking.
Of course I know where they live, so they would never pay me a cheque knowing it will bounce. I had a close call when a business went bus on me, but luckily it cleared a week before. They went under owing more than £1m.
I still do a lot of work for them.
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I suppose I've been lucky really, in over a quarter centuary of self-employment I have previously had a few cheques bounce but always recovered the money easily. Most of my customers are known to me but this was a new one and I could smell trouble when I got it, I should have followed my instincts and insisted on cash.
Only £15 plus the bank fee, but it still rankles. Were I a vindictive man I would tell the local hoods that a paedo lived at that address, but I'll let it pass this time.
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I accidentally bounced a cheque on my central heating oil chap - it was a case of early morning, mixed up cheque books (a closed account failed to shred the book) I was mortified when he called (in his very nice Subaru Impreza WRX) - explained what happened and he took a new cheque. I offered to cover his charges but he was ok about it.
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>> You were always safe to accept a cheque from a serviceman because if it bounced, he would get a
>> huge rollicking from his commanding officer at the very least.
It was always safe to take squaddies back to the local forces base in the taxi for the same reason, no matter how "refreshed" and vocal they were.
Last edited by: Dave_TDCi on Fri 7 Oct 11 at 21:36
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Aren't guaranteed cheques a thing of the past now? So more chance of bounced cheques?
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Not if the cheque is received in their home. Also if the people seem dodgy I would make my excuses before I even did the job.
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>> Not if the cheque is received in their home.
>>
?
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If I am in the personal home of a customer, they are very unlikely to give me a dud cheque. It is a very different scenario to a shop.
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>> If I am in the personal home of a customer, they are very unlikely to
>> give me a dud cheque. It is a very different scenario to a shop.
>>
Sorry Rattle, I thought you meant legally.
I got mine on the doorstep, perhaps I should have insisted on going in :-(
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What job do you do if you don't mind me asking?
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My man with the spanners has been doing a lot of work for me recently......I've always given him a cheque as he completed each job. Last week he did 5 services..about £500 worth.
I asked him if a single cheque at the end was OK and it was. I thought about it and when I collected the last car I suggested on-line transfer. He happily gave me his bank details and I did a transfer for the full amount on ' faster payment ' that night. He had the dosh in the morning and we were both happy with the outcome of the system.
My account with the Leeds has now stopped the guarantee card....it was for £250. It didn't matter as I only use their cheques for the odd postal payment. I've never used the card.
Ted
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>> What job do you do if you don't mind me asking?
>>
Sales agent for a well known door to door catalogue company.
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...Sales agent for a well known door to door catalogue company...
Robin's the Kleeneze man.
An acquaintance of mine seems to be doing quite well at that.
He's now got agents under him.
Looks like pyramid selling to me, but he tells me it's not.
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>>
>>
>> Robin's the Kleeneze man.
>>
Nope, right lines but different (and superior) company.
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I do, Meldrew - but hopefully not rubber!
There are various uses of cheques which will be difficult to replace when/if they are phased out. Several easily come to mind:
1. I pay for residential respite care for my son by cheque from 'his' account - otherwise it would have to be cash and he could not then go there direct from College or Day Services as he does from time to time. A cheque can travel in his bag - cash would be at some considerable risk.
2. My husband used to arrange an Old Boys/Girls lunch every year for some 160 ex-pupils. Cheques were sent when booking and not paid in until the week before the event, when the final figures attending were given to the caterer.
3. Most membership payments and subs for activities are paid with cheques for the small, local charity I am involved with. We pay expenses, those supplying a service to the charity and the employees by cheque too - all cheques for outgoings are signed by two of three signatories which also safe guards our precious funds.
4. A local arts centre (council owned) accepts card, cash or cheques. If you pay by card you incur a £3 charge on top of the termly fee - a lot out of my son's funds.
5. Many of the entrants at sailing events pay by cheque. This is particularly useful as many enter on the day, arriving early for rigging and briefing and are on the water before the 'office staff' arrive for work.
I could go on .....
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Dee - that is a very comprehensive and logical list! I do 2 cheques a year and you do 2 a week!
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I haven't written a cheque in at least 15years.
I try and do direct bank transfer or pay pal. I'm surprised at the amount of older people who thinks its dangerous to give me the bank code so i can send them money though, or is it dangerous and i don't realise it,.
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>> I haven't written a cheque in at least 15years.
>> I try and do direct bank transfer or pay pal. I'm surprised at the
>> amount of older people who thinks its dangerous to give me the bank code so
>> i can send them money though, or is it dangerous and i don't realise it,.
>>
No more dangerous than handing you a cheque with the account number and sort code!!
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...No more dangerous than handing you a cheque with the account number and sort code!!...
I agree.
What I've never understood is the value your paper statement has to fraudsters.
In my area there have been many cases of bin raiders who are apparently after bank or credit card statements.
The statement links the account to your address, but it doesn't have the card expiry date, or the 'security' number on the back of the card.
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>> What I've never understood is the value your paper statement has to fraudsters.
>>
>> In my area there have been many cases of bin raiders who are apparently after
>> bank or credit card statements.
>>
>> The statement links the account to your address, but it doesn't have the card expiry
>> date, or the 'security' number on the back of the card.
A bank statement, council tax bill, or utility bill can be used as a proof of address when taking out credit e.g. in a shop. By shredding such documents you reduce the chances of your identity being used for impersonation fraud.
Last edited by: Manatee on Sat 8 Oct 11 at 13:42
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>> A bank statement, council tax bill, or utility bill can be used as a proof
>> of address when taking out credit e.g. in a shop. By shredding such documents you
>> reduce the chances of your identity being used for impersonation fraud.
>>
Yet the majority of folk in UK, it seems, have a 'thing' about a national identity card?
Sorry chaps, I carry 3 photo-IDs - drivers license, press card and ID book. What's the problem with that? Anyone asks for ID, within reason, I show one or t'other of them.
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>>Yet the majority of folk in UK, it seems, have a 'thing' about a national identity card?
They are associated with oppressive regimes, for which some sort of tagging is necessary but not sufficient.
No logic really - if we are unlucky enough to come under the jackboot, they'll be issued quickly enough anyway.
Meanwhile they would be an aid to separating those entitled to be here from those who aren't.
Of course the sinister implementation of this sort of thing is a card or tag that not only has to accompany you everywhere, but tracks you as well - from shop to shop, cashpoint, railway station, airport, potentially everywhere when matched to your mobile phone signal. That's probably what worries people in an ill-defined way.
The authorities theselves have probably increased paranoia about personal information with all the idiotic Data Protection legislation.
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>> They are associated with oppressive regimes, for which some sort of tagging is necessary but
>> not sufficient.
>>
>> No logic really - if we are unlucky enough to come under the jackboot, they'll
>> be issued quickly enough anyway.
As The Growler (RIP, I miss that man) stated, if you have a passport, bank account etc etc etc you are in 'the system' anyway.
Sometimes this civil liberties stuff gets a tad illogical. the old argument of 'if you have done nothing wrong you have nothing top fear' actually makes sense to me.
This constant thing on 'identity theft' amazes me - here's me, here's a picture of me on a document issued by a gubberment department. What's the problem?
And yes, I have read Orwell.
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>>
>> Sometimes this civil liberties stuff gets a tad illogical. the old argument of 'if you
>> have done nothing wrong you have nothing top fear' actually makes sense to me.
>>
If you've done nothing wrong, you ain't lived.
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And having done nothing wrong doesn't stop the system 'knowing' you have.
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It is illegal to 'bounce' a cheque. There is no defence in English law against a dishonoured cheque. End of.
MD
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>> It is illegal to 'bounce' a cheque. There is no defence in English law against
>> a dishonoured cheque. End of.
>>
>> MD
So what does one do in practice to enfore the right to have a cheque honoured?
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>> So what does one do in practice to enfore the right to have a cheque
>> honoured?
>>
Go to court if it gets that far. Erin worked for a Solicitor many moons ago and he filled me in with the details and many other facts regarding fiduciary matters!! Make them aware of my previously stated fact and to exercise their right to their own advice and they should see sense. Also it pays to inform them that they may not get credit again blah blah. Of course this won't apply to scum bags, but then I try to avoid those folk anyway, but the fact still stands.
Best regards.................MD
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A clear explanation here of the law relating to bounced cheques and legal remedies. AS MD says there is virtually no legal defence available to someone who issues a cheque without sufficient funds in their account.
www.easylawyers.co.uk/debt-recovery.php
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I would like them to be able to spell correctly in their spiel. Lordy I hate that.
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If they got my money back I would forgive them a few typos.
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>> If they got my money back I would forgive them a few typos.
>>
Have you seen the costs involved? Makes one wonder..
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I think you need to prove an intent to defraud, then the false instrument charge applies.
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>> I think you need to prove an intent to defraud,
The starting point for that, I'm struggling to recall from my banking days, being that the drawer knew that there were no funds when he gave the cheque to the payee.
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the starting point is that the drawer knew the bank would dishonour it at the time it was presented by the payee.
Not quite the same thing as knowing you had insufficient money in the account when you wrote it.
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>> I think you need to prove an intent to defraud, then the false instrument charge
>> applies.
>>
I suspect so, when someone bounced a cheque on me when I sold them my Viva, plod weren't at all interested, said it was a civil matter. I assume that is still the case?
Last edited by: spamcan61 on Sat 8 Oct 11 at 21:57
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...I sold them my Viva, plod weren't at all interested, said it was a civil matter. I assume that is still the case?...
A fob off.
Obtaining property by deception is one charge, or did the 'buyer' intend to permanently deprive you of the Viva?
In which case, it's theft.
The police will say they haven't the resources to get involved, but that is an entirely separate question.
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It did seem odd at the time, but it was the pre internet age and life was complicated at the time!
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The vast majority of bounced cheques are the outcome of a micawberish approach to personal finance - or complete collapse/disorganisation.
Criminal proceedings won't get blood from a stone.
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...Criminal proceedings won't get blood from a stone...
Prosecuting murderers doesn't lead to the resurrection of the victim.
But we still do it.
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>>
>> No more dangerous than handing you a cheque with the account number and sort code!!
>>
>>
With a cheque you get a genuine sample of their signature.
Then you can raid their dustbin for carelessly thrown away statements or utility bills.
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Talking of cheques...didn't want to start a new thread.....One of my banks is the Halifax.
I have a current account and a couple of credit cards with them. Nothing on the cards, a few quid now and again to keep the card warm, but they send me letters constantly to do a balance transfer or tell me that I can have a £9K loan...no problem.
A few years ago, every communication from them and other CC companies was accompanied by credit card cheques. I haven't seen one for years but I used to shred about 10 a week.
Do they still send 'em out ? I'm not daft enough to have used one but I've no doubt some folk are. Perhaps I'm ' off the list ' 'cos I've never indulged.
Ted
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>> Do they still send 'em out ? I'm not daft enough to have used one but I've no doubt some folk are.
www.uswitch.com/credit-cards/credit-card-cheques/
"As of January 2011, unsolicited credit card cheques have been banned."
I got sent many, but never used one.
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Ah, thanks Dave...I can let the shredder cool down then !
Ted
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