Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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I don’t think cheques are going to last much longer in South Africa. Strangely enough, in many countries around the world, they are not associated with fraud and are a perfectly acceptable means of payment. However, when the banks announced, as they did at the beginning of May, that they will no longer accept a cheque for more than R50,000, they made it quite impossible to use a cheque to pay
for any substantial purchase or even a deposit on a house. Cheques certainly have their good points and it is really easy to prove a payment by getting a copy of a cheque. For some reason a proof of payment printed out from a bank account never really looks the same, but there has been so much fraud involving cheques in South Africa that it is not a surprise that the banks really want to minimise their involvement with them.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Monday 01-Jun-20
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Comments
Tersia said:
on Wednesday 08-Jul-20 09:11 AM
Oh this will be good news for my accounting studies - those chapters were quite boring to study. To be honest I actually wasn't even aware that people were still using cheques, they are so old school! I thought they were gone a long time ago.
Jolene said:
on Tuesday 07-Jul-20 05:10 PM
I will not be surprised if Cheques are phased out in South Africa. Cheques are a bit outdated. There are so many other safer and easier ways to make payments.
Joyce said:
on Tuesday 07-Jul-20 04:13 PM
Seems like even if the other countries are still holding on accepting cheques but they are slowly moving away from accepting cheques as they also not accepting bigger amounts of cheques, I think EFT is more quicker and convenient, some client used to be frustrated when explaining to them that they will have to wait for about seven days for their cheque to be cleared before having their million rand cash.
Joyce said:
on Tuesday 07-Jul-20 04:11 PM
Seems like even if the other countries are still holding on accepting cheques but they are slowly moving away from accepting cheques as they also not accepting bigger amounts of cheques, I think EFT is more quicker and convenient, some client used to be frustrated when explaining to them that they will have to wait for about seven days for their check to be cleared before having their million rand cash.
Kathryn said:
on Tuesday 07-Jul-20 03:45 PM
I agree with Tamaryn, only at my university negotiable instruments was an entire semester's module and not a chapter. The end of cheques comes as no surprise.
Tamaryn said:
on Tuesday 07-Jul-20 02:42 PM
I remember all the law around negotiable instruments and am quite glad that the cheque chapter can be taken out.
Bianca Taljaard said:
on Tuesday 07-Jul-20 02:00 PM
I haver used a cheque, it is so much more convenient with internet banking.
Brenda Strydom said:
on Tuesday 07-Jul-20 01:55 PM
With everything being online today and the new technology we have everything is so much better. Cheques Were very risky at times and it is better to do EFT'S
Sinead said:
on Tuesday 30-Jun-20 11:28 AM
I don't even remember the last time I saw a cheque.
I know my dad used to have one. And I thought it was so cool.
One of these days we'll be paying with a microchip in our wrist ='''D
Helen said:
on Tuesday 30-Jun-20 08:03 AM
How times are changing for better! Years ago ordering new cheques for company, printing them and getting them all signed - was big job and extra expenses - telling the truth I do not miss this part of my work at all!
I am very happy that we are moving away from cheques in South Africa, less to worry about any fraudulent transactions involving cheques.
Shristi said:
on Thursday 25-Jun-20 04:47 PM
With today's technology always improving I firmly believe that cheques will be a thing of the past. I cannot recall the last time I even saw a cheque or cheque book. I would not be surprised if we soon do all transactions without cards and cash and everything is all online and electronic
Dune said:
on Thursday 25-Jun-20 03:11 PM
I remember the good old days when my mom and dad had wallets that makes provisions for a cheque books. How times have changed, for the better though.
Prishani said:
on Wednesday 24-Jun-20 04:41 PM
I haven't seen a cheque book in a really long time! I honestly thought they weren't being used anymore because of the safety concerns raised previously.
Zandelee said:
on Wednesday 24-Jun-20 03:18 PM
I read an article that Absa is to stop issuing cheques from the beginning of July this year. The article stated that cheques has dropped with 80% from a decade ago and the maximum amount has been slashed from R500 000 to R50 000 due to security concerns.
Ashleigh said:
on Wednesday 24-Jun-20 08:44 AM
Just like technology has changed hand written admin so will Cheques fall away with online banking. The online banking apps nowadays allows you to have full control over your account and makes life so much easier.
Colleen said:
on Monday 22-Jun-20 12:36 PM
Cheques in the modern age of technology are definitely an outdated means of payment considering there are less riskier options available with immediate ease of access and peace of mind.
Tayla said:
on Friday 19-Jun-20 05:01 PM
I remember my dad using cheques, I found boxes of the counterfoils in our garage. I think cheques are so outdated.
Kayla said:
on Friday 19-Jun-20 04:13 PM
Cheques will eventually be of no existence. Times are changing, technology is evolving and growing. Its in fact a lot easier to make a payment online than having to go stand in line at a bank to give in a cheques. Its simply just becoming a new age.
Melandre' said:
on Friday 19-Jun-20 10:48 AM
Finally an end of en are that should have been abolished way back. I completed a module on cheque's during my law studies and it was absolutely useless. My take on cheque's is that they are way too risky, it is beyond easy to commit fraud with cheques. I am glad banks have finally started refusing to accept them when containing large sums of money.
Nicolle said:
on Friday 19-Jun-20 09:56 AM
I have vivid memories of being in my Grade 9 Business Economics class, dealing with a chapter on how to complete cheques. I remember sitting and thinking, cheques are becoming obsolete, and, here we are, cheques are about as obsolete as cassette tapes.
Zindy said:
on Friday 19-Jun-20 08:41 AM
I think Cheques are very risky. I mean you can write a cheque out for goods you purchase and your leaving the store without it being cleared into their bank accounts the store would need to trust that its valid and you have funds for what ever it is you have purchased. What happens if it was a stolen cheque book because lets be honest they never check ID's even to date with a store card or credit card they don't check
Jessica said:
on Friday 19-Jun-20 08:33 AM
Well with everything being able to be done online, cheques should be the thing of the past. I mean also proof is easier with an EFT than a cheque.
Joyce said:
on Wednesday 17-Jun-20 12:32 PM
I sometimes think that SA is the one of the countries that have most expert’s criminals, different kinds of crimes you may think of happening in SA
Natasha said:
on Wednesday 10-Jun-20 09:39 AM
I Remember checque's when i was small my dad still had a brown greyish check book. I actually think my mom or dad still have their check book but dont use it anymore.
Its been so long can't believe there is still companies that uses checque's but I have seen in movies that they use checque's. Its funny how much things change from when you were a child and you being an adult.
Henrietta said:
on Wednesday 10-Jun-20 08:47 AM
When I worked at FNB in 2008 cheque fraud was already a big issue. We even had a different department that only dealt with cheques and how to cheque fraudulent cheques, a department I would have moved to and honestly found very interesting had I not decided to give the logistic field a go. I remember starting in the bookkeeping department almost 6 years ago we did payments to clients, experts and Advocates with cheques. How times has changed back then the limit to cheques were R 500 000.00 and in some cases people received 4-5 cheques for one payment, wow time really has changed and improved. I personally have never received a cheque.
Michelle D said:
on Tuesday 09-Jun-20 04:49 PM
In today's day and age, where people are able to hack even the most encrypted files, I do not think writing on a piece of paper is safe. Cheques are extremely outdated, and yet we still learn about them over and over again.
Daniella said:
on Tuesday 09-Jun-20 02:26 PM
I thought cheques were a thing of the past a while ago - it is quite outdated considering everything can now be done electronically
Dasanya said:
on Tuesday 09-Jun-20 08:26 AM
I have made use of cheques before and I do agree that in terms of a paper trial, cheques are great however, with the technology of today and having apps where payments and transfers can be done at your own leisure, I think many would agree that cheques are somewhat outdated.
thembi said:
on Tuesday 09-Jun-20 07:11 AM
It is good that the cheques are not being used. We have new technology and it is quick and safer and you can also get everything online for proof that you pay
sandra said:
on Monday 08-Jun-20 04:57 PM
Cheques used to be the big thing, however, technology has made it possible to do payments the quicker way and makes it more convenient. You do not have to wait long for the money to clear and this is quite amazing.
Karien said:
on Sunday 07-Jun-20 08:46 PM
Many businesses have a clear notice stating at the pay point that cheques are not accepted, and I've seen an increase of these notices over the past years. I think due to the increased awareness of hygiene practices the use of physical instruments of payment such as cheques will not be preferred and we will have to resort to using means that limit physical contact.
Victoria said:
on Friday 05-Jun-20 12:54 PM
I have never written a cheque and don't think I will. I don't think anyone really uses cheques anymore, I would imagine that doing an EFT is quicker then writing out a cheque.
Claudia B said:
on Friday 05-Jun-20 08:07 AM
I didn't think any one would still be using cheques, in today's life you would do a EFT for a payment.
fikile said:
on Thursday 04-Jun-20 04:29 PM
Things keep getting bad in South Africa and that is going to make the country lose money not only that but investors also, tourist who want to come in and spend money and experience the life of South Africa. And if people continue to do all of these bad things.
Roxanne said:
on Thursday 04-Jun-20 03:28 PM
I honestly thought cheques were done away with long ago as i haven't seen a cheque in forever and most people prefer too EFT
Lourien said:
on Thursday 04-Jun-20 01:17 PM
Times change and we need to do the same. I have never used a cheque book myself although I can remember all those clients receiving their cheques, but that was definitely a few years ago. Cheques was an easy way of giving someone a large payment without walking around with a huge bag of cash.
Alexis Craemer said:
on Thursday 04-Jun-20 01:08 PM
Cheques were somewhat known to me when my mom used to use them, and oof coure working here. I do agree that printing a POP from the bank does not have the same affect as a cheque, but with time comes change.
Kendall said:
on Thursday 04-Jun-20 09:01 AM
Everything these days is becoming electronic. Using a cheque as a method of payment is definitely outdated. I have never used or received a cheque before and and I don't think I ever will.
Melissa vanj Tellingen said:
on Thursday 04-Jun-20 08:41 AM
I have never received a cheque nor have I ever written one out. I think they have been long gone for a while.
Mathilda said:
on Thursday 04-Jun-20 08:27 AM
We are heading towards a cashless society so it was only a matter of time that cheques would be passed out.
Courtney said:
on Wednesday 03-Jun-20 09:41 AM
I don't trust cheques at all.
Also with this virus going on I prefer not touching anything where someone else touched even though it's very difficult cause you can't sanitize paper.
Michelle Smillie said:
on Tuesday 02-Jun-20 04:31 PM
I am sure that the prohibition of cheque payments is influenced by both fraud and the increased electronic activity across the world. Everything is going electronic and I am sure it is much easier, and cheaper, for banks to process EFT's than to process a handwritten cheque.
Chante said:
on Tuesday 02-Jun-20 04:13 PM
It is true that cheques have their pros and cons but it is much easier to commit fraud by using cheques than any other form of payment - yes your banking app could get hacked into or your bankcard could get stolen, and with the new tap and pay function losing your bankcard is even more dangerous. Technology is developing rapidly every day so I am not at all surprised that an older payment method such as using a Cheque is being pushed to the side.
Melissa said:
on Tuesday 02-Jun-20 12:43 PM
People doesn't care about cheques anymore, everything is electronic these days and technology keeps on improving everyday
Danielle said:
on Tuesday 02-Jun-20 09:13 AM
Technology has improved so much I don't think people worry to much about Cheques.
Thabitha said:
on Tuesday 02-Jun-20 07:09 AM
Crime destroys or affect our daily living and technology improves ways of doing things, now we are using apps
Bianca Niemann said:
on Monday 01-Jun-20 04:57 PM
I am somewhat paranoid to when it comes to making payments. I have obviously never used a cheque in my life, mostly because I think that when I started working EFT and banking apps were already being used and that is how I got started in working life and paying bills. Even then, I still check the account number almost 10 times to make sure I am not paying some random person.
Angelique said:
on Monday 01-Jun-20 11:50 AM
I am shocked that cheques still exist. I haven't seen one of those in years. when I think about a cheque it seems so 1990s. I was watching Dead To Me and a reference was made to a cheque and I thought wow, why do they still use cheques. After reading your blog, I realize its a South African thing not using one.
Sujata said:
on Monday 01-Jun-20 09:55 AM
I dont think many of us have used a cheque to make payment in a very long time although payment by cheque limited the risk of fraud technologies around payments have moved towards a digital platform but the risk of fraud is still present even with EFT payments.
Megan said:
on Monday 01-Jun-20 09:11 AM
I've never used a cheque before, I'm not really affected by them staying or going... Doesn't seem like it was worth it anyway, I remember my mom told me you had to pay a monthly fee to get the books.
patrick said:
on Monday 01-Jun-20 09:10 AM
I agree with you that fraud is serious threat in our country. Am sure the banks are bringing them to an end is because they also give them a lot of administrative work like calling the person who issued it.
Nicolene said:
on Monday 01-Jun-20 08:43 AM
I can't believe that there's still companies that are using cheques. It is so much easier to do payments etc. via internet. I thought cheques were gone already. It's such a mission going to the bank. I do everything online now it's so much more convenient.
Lucretia said:
on Monday 01-Jun-20 08:33 AM
I have not used a cheque in years, I find EFT payments way easier and quicker than a cheque i also find it safer. I also like the fact that you can load a new beneficiary with a few clicks of a button and get them paid immediately without then having to send the cheque and wait for the other side to receive same or having to run to a bank to deposit the cheque, like everything else, online "anything" has made our lives so much easier.....
Bronwyn said:
on Monday 01-Jun-20 08:32 AM
I thought we no longer using check books I have not really seen anyone using one for a few years already.
Clare said:
on Monday 01-Jun-20 08:15 AM
I always thought that these were gone already along time ago. Everything is better with the Internet and Internet banking.
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
