After how long does a check become non-negotiable?

Question

I issued a $250 check 14 months ago. Because of a dispute with the payee I put a stop on it which I had to renew after 6 months. I was ready to pay the $18 to put a second stop or open a new account when the teller said after 6 months the check in non-negotiable anyways so I shouldn't worry. So I didn't.... Well, 14 months later this person was able to cash the check. He'd refused to send it back claiming he'd destroyed it. Yeah right. And the bank won't do anything.... I was told that the "little people" (cust. serv.reps?) at the bank sometimes are "not really knowledgeable," so the bank is not responsible for that teller's bad advice. How's that.

Answer 1

Oh. allow me to tell you my opinion, because I've been a teller and in customer service for over two years. People say that "six months" is stale-dated (and the bank I work for says that we can't take any check older than six months dated..) but that is b.s. Those stale-dated checks can still be cashed. That jerk who did that to you ought to be beat.Be very careful from now on who you write a check to.
If anyone else ever tells you that a check is stale after six months, tell them that that may be their bank's "policy", but those checks will get paid; it is not illegal... some people are dumbasses, and just relay by mouth what they were wrongfully taught or were wrongfully told by someone else. Just open another account at another bank, just in case this dude you wrote the check to has memorized your account info. and goes online to do some damage. (It does happen). I know I didn't help your problem any, but I did want to let you know that! (That **** makes me sooo mad, because I see/hear of people talking all the time about crap they are just sooo sure they are right about. If it were me, BELIEVE ME, I would approach that teller who told you that and inform her of this... and also, those "little people" aren't little people, they are the bank, they represent the bank, so the manager or whomever needs to reimburse you at least for the 18.00 you originally paid for the stop payment.
anyway, i'll quit bitching.good luck, and excuse my cuss words.

Answer 2

Bank policy is usually after 90 days to 1 year at max. I would ask for the written bank policy. That will get their attention. I know Bank of America is a strict 90 day policy.

Answer 3

a cheque become void after 6 months. bank teller are not supposed to encash it.

approach your banker and ask them to show you the date the cheque was presented and the date on the cheque to proof that the cheque is more than 6 months.

also could it be a possible fraud case as in the person who encash the cheque change the date on the cheque and forge your signature on the change? which means by visiting your banker, it would be obvious and if that is the case, you can report the person to the police for fraud.

Answer 4

I was told that after a year, it is worthless, but banks can be big bastards on this.