Changing the way you write cheques - safeguarding against fraud

Banks and building societies have announced changes to the way they handle cheques that are payable just to a bank or building society, as a further measure to reduce cheque fraud.  They are now embarking on a campaign, to ensure customers' money gets to the right account.

From next year, people will need to add further details, such as the name of the person whose account is to be credited, to the payee line of cheques that are payable to a bank or building society. However, the industry is advising that people start adding the extra details now, so that they benefit from greater protection immediately.