http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7112829.stm
Bank customers will now be able to rely on cheques which have been paid into their accounts, even if the cheques later bounce or prove to be fake.
From 30 November, cheques will clear with absolute certainty, six days after being paid in.
Previously, banks were able to recoup money from a customer's account if they discovered the original cheque payment was fraudulent.
The changes to the banking system were decided by the industry a year ago.
The problem of cheques never clearing was first revealed by the BBC Moneybox programme three years ago.
Subsequently the Office of Fair Trading put pressure on the banking industry to clarify the clearing system.
Big change
Contrary to common belief, banks have always been able to recoup money from a customer's account if a cheque bounced or proved to be fraudulent.
This was the case even if the discovery took place weeks or months after the event, and after the cheque had been formally cleared and the money spent.
In other words, cheques never really cleared with absolute finality. That will change from the end of the month.
For anyone out there running a plan b this is great news.
Bank customers will now be able to rely on cheques which have been paid into their accounts, even if the cheques later bounce or prove to be fake.
From 30 November, cheques will clear with absolute certainty, six days after being paid in.
Previously, banks were able to recoup money from a customer's account if they discovered the original cheque payment was fraudulent.
The changes to the banking system were decided by the industry a year ago.
The problem of cheques never clearing was first revealed by the BBC Moneybox programme three years ago.
Subsequently the Office of Fair Trading put pressure on the banking industry to clarify the clearing system.
Big change
Contrary to common belief, banks have always been able to recoup money from a customer's account if a cheque bounced or proved to be fraudulent.
This was the case even if the discovery took place weeks or months after the event, and after the cheque had been formally cleared and the money spent.
In other words, cheques never really cleared with absolute finality. That will change from the end of the month.
For anyone out there running a plan b this is great news.
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