Text version for 'Filling in a cheque'

Cheques are printed with:

the name and address of your branch
a cheque number which allows you to identify a specific cheque in your bank statement
your name
your account number
your branch's sort code (every branch of every bank has one).

When filling in a cheque:

You should always fill in the cheque stub for your own records.
You can write the date as a number or in words. Cheques are only valid for six months from when they are dated.
You should write the name or the person or company receiving the cheque on top of the line marked “Pay”.
Write the word “only” after writing the amount. For example, Twenty pounds and forty pence only.
You should write the amount in words (though the pennies can be written in words or figures), starting on the middle of the three horizontal lines in the middle of the cheque and running onto the bottom of the three lines if necessary.
The “account payee” printing cross the three horizontal lines in the middle of the cheque means that only the person that the cheque is made payable to can pay it into their account.
Remember to sign your name in the space on the bottom right, underneath where your name is printed.

Top tips to stop fraud:

On each line or in each box, always begin writing near to the left hand margin and draw a horizontal line after your last word or number. This makes sure that no one can insert anything else.
In the amount box, write the amount in figures like this: £65.00, and NOT like this: £65. This stops anyone altering your cheque after you’ve written it.
If you are using a cheque to transfer money from one of your bank or building society accounts to another, don't just make the cheque payable to the bank, fill in the name / account number of the account holder who will be receiving the money.
If you receive a cheque, look at it carefully to make sure that it is filled in properly and that no one has changed any of the details.
Remember that the bank will pay a cheque up to the limit shown on the cheque guarantee card, whether or not the person who has written the cheque has sufficient funds in their account.