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uk Money & financial emergencies cheque blocked by bank • cheques temporarily stopped • outgoing cheque blocked • suspected cheque fraud • bank fraud review hold • cheque payments disrupted • chequebook security issue • missing cheque book • cheque numbers at risk • stop a cheque payment • payee says cheque bounced • rent paid by cheque • bills paid by cheque • unexpected bank fraud alert • bank impersonation scam • account payments blocked • urgent payment alternative

What to do if…
your bank notifies you that cheques from your account are temporarily blocked for fraud checks

Short answer

Contact your bank via a trusted route (banking app or the number on the back of your card) to confirm what’s blocked and what they need from you, then switch any time-critical cheque payments to a safer alternative right away. If this started because of an unexpected phone call about your money, hang up and dial 159 to be connected securely to your bank.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t call a number in a message, click links, or share one-time passcodes in response to an unexpected “fraud” notification.
  • Don’t continue writing cheques “hoping it clears” — it can trigger fees, missed payments, and more confusion.
  • Don’t send replacement payments until you know whether an existing cheque will be paid late, returned unpaid, or is suspected to be fraudulent.
  • Don’t destroy cheque records or stubs; you may need cheque numbers and dates to sort this quickly.
  • Don’t rush to close the account unless your bank tells you to; it can complicate fraud checks and any reversals.

What to do now

  1. Verify the contact safely. Use your bank’s app or a trusted number (for example, the number on the back of your card). If you got an unexpected call about “fraud”, hang up and dial 159 to reach your bank through a trusted route (159 will not call you).
  2. Get a clear, specific explanation from the bank. Ask:
    • Is cheque-writing blocked only, or are there other restrictions on the account?
    • Is the block on all cheques or specific cheque numbers/payees/amounts?
    • What triggered the review, and what do they need from you to clear it?
    • What will happen to cheques already issued (paid late vs returned unpaid)? Write down the time/date, the department, and any reference number.
  3. Stabilise urgent payments that were meant to go by cheque (today/this week). List anything where delay causes real harm (rent, childcare, care costs, utilities, council tax, insurance). Contact each payee and say: “My bank has temporarily paused cheque payments for fraud checks — what is your safest alternative method today?” Use bank transfer/card/online payment where possible.
  4. List your outstanding cheques. From your cheque stubs/records, note cheque number, date, payee, and amount for any cheque you’ve written that hasn’t cleared yet. Share this list with the bank if asked.
  5. If any cheque or your chequebook might be compromised, say so now. If cheques are missing, you don’t recognise a cheque, or a payee says a cheque was lost, tell the bank immediately. Ask what they recommend (for example: stopping specific cheque numbers, cancelling and reissuing a chequebook).
  6. If you suspect fraud (not just a routine check), make a report. Save any messages/screenshots and report to Report Fraud (Action Fraud). If you live in Scotland, report via Police Scotland (101 for non-emergency) or local police channels.
  7. Ask for a short-term workaround if the block risks immediate hardship. Specifically ask whether they can:
    • help you make an urgent payment by another method,
    • give a realistic timeline for the review,
    • confirm in writing that cheque payments are paused (so you can show payees),
    • confirm what will happen to cheques already issued.
  8. If you’re not getting clear answers, start a formal complaint. Submit a short written complaint to the bank (secure message is fine). The bank will usually have up to 8 weeks to issue a final response; you can take it to the Financial Ombudsman Service after a final response, or if 8 weeks pass without one.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide today whether to switch banks or permanently stop using cheques.
  • You do not need to argue with payees about blame right now; focus on keeping essential payments current.
  • You do not need a long complaint immediately; first get clarity, stop any ongoing risk, and keep proof.

Important reassurance

A temporary cheque block is often a precaution while the bank confirms what’s genuine. It can feel alarming, but it does not automatically mean you’ve done something wrong. Slowing down, using trusted contact routes, and keeping a simple written log is the quickest way to reduce risk and restore normal payments.

Scope note

This is first-steps-only guidance to stabilise the situation and prevent avoidable losses or missed essential payments. If the bank confirms account misuse or identity fraud, you may need additional specialist support next.

Important note

This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Banks’ fraud processes and timelines vary. If you feel pressured or something doesn’t add up, end the call and contact your bank again using a trusted number or method.

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