Material alterations in cheque not allowed from 01.07.10

It is a world of e-banking with internet banking transactions. Also we use debit card, credit card and ATM cards. Very rarely we use cheques for our banking transactions.

DO YOU KNOW ?

Banks have received RBI guidelines to prohibit alterations / corrections on the cheque leaf. The details are as follows:

RBI Circular - DPSS/CO/CHD/ No. 1832/01.07.05/ 2009-10 dated 22nd February 2010 states that no changes / corrections should be carried out on the cheques (other than for date validation purposes, if required). For any change in the payee’s name, courtesy amount (amount in figures) or legal amount (amount in words), etc., fresh cheque forms should be used by customers. This would help banks to identify and control fraudulent alterations. 

Based on the above guidelines branch / clearing teams can return cheques which have any alteration in the

• Payee Name
• Amount in numbers
• Amount in words

The only alteration which is allowed is the alteration in the date.

Note:

• The above change will be incorporated by change in the Terms and Conditions on the cheque book issued by Banks.
• Where available, customers should be informed through a message in the email as well as physical statement in April, May, June quarter
• Banks will start returning the cheques for cash payments across the counter and clearing cheques effective 1st July 2010.