Can I obtain copies of cheques?

[OceanPrincess]

I've recently realised that some cheques were written a while ago and no details recorded in the cheque book as to what they were for. They've been presented and funds taken out of the account but I really need to know what they were for, in case of an audit.

They weren't written by me and I'm unable to find out who they were written by. Bit vague sorry, don't want too many details here.

Does anyone know if banks retain the original cheques? Will I be able to request a copy of them or something? Will it cost me money? Does anyone know??

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Yes - the bank should keep all cheques, or at the very least a record of them. So long as they were from your account, you can ask the bank for a copy of all cheques from the account, but they probably will charge for it (depending on how many cheques: probably flat cost for photocopying, plus time).

How long ago are these for? Three years shouldn't be a problem, ten years you may have some luck, over 10 years it's doubtful.

[frog]

I work for one of the big 4 banks, and we can view digital images of cheques through our systems. I work in a call centre, so maybe if you call telephone banking at your bank they could do the same? I guess it would depend on how readable the signature is as to whether they could tell you who wrote/signed it, and who it was payable to. You should also be able to order a copy, a fee would usually be charged for that though. The other option would be to visit a branch, the branch staff at the bank I work for have access to the same system, and should be able to show you a digital image on their screen. Again, not sure how other banks work with these things but records have to be kept for a period of time, of your bank doesn't have digital images, it would be a matter of them ordering them back from archiving

Hope this helps!

[Teeki]

Anyone you call in a branch should be able to pull up a visual of the cheque using your account details. I have to do it all the time for people who suddenly have money leave their account and can't figure out why

[OceanPrincess]

Ooh thanks guys! It is only from... Last FY from memory so hopefully they will be able to get them no probs. I have to call into the branch tomorrow for something else so I'll ask.