How to write a cheque

Make safe, secure and convenient payments, read our tips below

Types of cheques

Cheques are still a reliable and efficient method of payment, and while online and electronic payments are being embraced more and more, many businesses and individuals still prefer using cheques for some or all of their payments.

At Emirates NBD, you can use 4 kinds of cheques, each with their own unique features:

Self cheque: This cheque is commonly written to yourself and presented to the teller for cash withdrawal.
Cash/Bearer cheque: This is payable to the person in possession of the cheque.
Order cheque: This is payable only to the payee whose name is mentioned on the cheque.
Account payee cheque: This cheque can only be deposited in the account of the payee.

Post-dated and stale cheques

If the date on a cheque is a future date, it’s called a post-dated cheque (PDC) and the bank won’t allow it to be cashed or deposited until that date. It’s common to use PDCs for payments towards utilities, rent, car loans and business purposes. If the beneficiary has not cashed the cheque for more than 6 months from the date on the cheque, it becomes a stale cheque and it is not valid anymore.

Tips on proper cheque writing

When writing a cheque, follow the tips below to ensure smooth processing and avoid fraud:

Never sign a blank cheque unless it is for a financial institution as a security cheque.
Always fill in the date, the name of the receiver and the amount before signing a cheque.
Write your cheques without any gaps from the printed area in spaces for the payee name and amount.
If you want your cheque to be deposited to the payee’s account, mark the cheque as ‘Account Payee’ on the top left.
Always draw a line through any unused space.
Do not write, pin, staple or paste on the MICR encoded strip at the foot of the cheque.
Always write your cheque with permanent blue or black ink.
If you make any mistakes, destroy the cheque and write a new one.
To prevent unauthorised encashment of a cheque, cross it.
When you cancel a cheque, destroy the MICR band and write ‘CANCEL’ across the face of the cheque.

FAQs

What is the validity of a cheque?

The validity of a cheque is 6 months from the due date.

How soon will the money be in my account after I deposit a cheque?

The processing and clearing time for cheques depends on the type of cheque and the channel used. Learn more here.

How safe are cheques?

Our cheques have a QR code and an MICR code-line to prevent checks from being reproduced by fraudsters. If you don’t specify a recipient on the cheque, or if you write a cheque to ‘cash or bearer’, there’s always the risk of the cheque falling into someone else's hands and they can then cash it.

My cheque has been misused, how can I get help?

If you suspect a cheque has been lost or stolen, first submit a police report and then visit one of our branches with the report to place a stop payment on any cheques that are not yet presented. Additional documents may be required at the bank's discretion.

How do I order a new cheque book?

You can apply for a new cheque book in a number of ways. Learn more here.

Are there charges for cheque books?

Once you open your current account you’ll receive your first cheque book free of charge. After this, charges depend on your Emirates NBD banking package. Learn more here.

I need a new cheque book urgently, can I come to the bank and get one immediately?

No, you need to submit a request for a new cheque book, and you’ll receive it within 3 to 5 working days. So it’s best to apply for a new cheque book when you still have a couple of leaves left in the old one.

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