Some sensible tips on writing a cheque:
(courtesy of FNB)

During the last couple of months, we encountered a couple of instances where cheques from clients were tampered with, resulting in deposits into dubious accounts. We therefore appeal to all of our clients to be extremely vigilant when cheques are issued, and would like to request that as a basic minimum, all cheques be clearly marked as " Not Transferable", properly crossed, and clearly addressed to "Med-e-Mass (Pty) Ltd", and all empty spaces after the name, and amount in words, be filled by drawing a clear line from end to end - this will prevent the adding or changing of names and or amounts.

Here are some more tips that we picked up from the FNB website:

• Always try to use a ballpoint pen instead of pens with more erasable inks like fountain pens or felt tip pens.
  
• To prevent unauthorised additions and/or alterations, commence all writing as close as possible to the left-hand margin, leaving no gaps and drawing a line through unused spaces.
  
• Any cheques that the account holder does not wish to be cashed should be crossed
  
• To ensure that a cheque is paid into the intended beneficiary's account, the cheque should be marked with the words "Not Transferable" between two transverse lines.
  
• You are responsible for preventing unauthorised use by keeping your chequebook in a safe place.
  
• Always keep your chequebook separate from your credit cards, ATM cards or any other document that bears your signature. If a thief gets hold of your chequebook, but does not have a sample of your signature, a forged signature will probably not resemble yours.
  
• All paid cheques that are returned with your bank statements should be kept in a safe place because they contain your signature. Fraudsters may even try to re-use these cheques.
  
• It’s a good habit to do monthly reconciliations on the cheques that were issued on your account.
  
• Regular recons should be done on all unused cheques in a chequebook against counterfoil or carbon copy records.
  
• Report a stolen chequebook to your account holding or nearest branch as soon as you detect that your chequebook is missing.
  
• Try to avoid posting of cheques and, should it be necessary, place the cheque in non-transparent or dark envelope without any staples / paper clips, which can be felt through the envelope.
  
• Never have any cheques lying around that have not been completed or fully signed.
  
• Many alternative payment methods exist that are safe and convenient and can even save on bank charges. These alternatives include Visa Cheque Cards, Visa Electron debit cards, Internet, Telephone and Cellphone Banking, ATM payments, debit orders and future dated payments.