Thanks
Go to your bank and ask. They will call the bank that issued the check to see if it's real and that the funds are there.
If you just deposit the check and use the money and then it doesn't clear. Your are the one responsible to pay back the money. Not the issuer.
The 419 Advanced Fee fraudsters rely on the fact that it's (almost) impossible to know if a cheque will clear or not.
Even if you ring the Bank and ask, all they will confirm is if the actual state of the account will cover the cheque 'today' (they will never tell you how much is in the account so you won't know if it's 'covered' 10 times over or 'covered' by 10p) ...
By the time the cheque arrives at the issuers bank the account may no longer have enough money .. or (worse) the cheque may be rejected as a fake / fraudulent (amazing what you can do with a PC, Adobe Photoshop and a simple printer)
If you are an eBay seller, wait for the check to clear (3-5 days) before sending the goods. If it's an 'international cheque, you will have to wait a few weeks or take a chance (now you know why a lot of eBay sellers refuse cheques).
There is no way to check - you just have to wait and see.
There used to be a cheque clearing service available to businesses but I don't think that exists any longer. But you had to pay for the service anyway.
Call the bank it is written from, and also, if you put it in your bank, and it bounces, chances are you'll get a fee to pay.
Hey suefitz,
You don't worry about the cheque, just deposit it into your account. If it would get bounced then the payee will be liable for penalties or may get sentenced by the court.
Im not sure but if it bounces the other person will get charged for it not you so I wouldn't worry just bank it!
enquire of the bank