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• Terms and conditions

• Why is the Industry Cheque Guarantee Card Scheme closing on 30 June 2011?
• What is a Cheque Guarantee/Cheque card and when would I use it?
• Will my card be replaced?
• What if my card hasn’t been replaced before the scheme closes on 30 June 2011?
• Can I still use my card as I do now to pay for goods or services and to withdraw cash at cash machines?
• Are other banks removing the cheque guarantee Facility from their cards?
• Can I still write cheques?
• What other payment methods can I use instead of cheques?
• How else can I pay for services such as tradesman, if I decide not to use cheques?

The use of cheques has declined over the last 5 years. So, a decision has been made to end the Industry Cheque Guarantee Card Scheme. You can still write cheques, but from 1 July you will no longer be able to use your Visa Debit card to guarantee payment, although your card will be accepted at retailers and cash machines as normal.

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If your Visa Debit card features a Shakespeare hologram on the reverse bottom right hand corner then it is a Cheque Guarantee Card. It guarantees the payment of cheques up to the value indicated (£100 or £250) in a single transaction, for the purchases of goods or services.

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We will begin removing the Cheque Guarantee hologram from any new debit cards on 3 June. You will only receive a new card without a Cheque Guarantee hologram when your current Visa Debit card is replaced or expires. This means the Cheque Guarantee hologram may still be on your card.

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From 1 July your Visa Debit card will no longer be able to guarantee cheques, although it may still feature the Cheque Guarantee hologram. However it will continue to be accepted at retailers and cash machines as normal.

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Yes, there are no changes to using your Visa Debit card at a shop or at a cash machine, the Cheque Guarantee hologram removal only means that you can no longer use your Visa Debit card to guarantee cheques.

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Yes, this is something that’s happening across all banks, not just RBS.

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Yes, you will still be able to pay by cheque. The end of the Cheque Guarantee Card Scheme will mean that cheques can no longer be guaranteed. As a result some retailers or businesses may no longer accept cheques.

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Debit card, standing order or Direct Debit are just some of the payment methods you can use instead of paying by cheque. Please visit our alternative payment methods page for more details.

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You could agree to make a Direct payment into their account whilst they are with you. This is done by obtaining their account details and transferring the money through either telephone or Digital Banking transfer. More details on how to register for telephone or Digital Banking. Alternatively, if it’s a regular payment, you could set-up a standing order into their account. If you are not already signed up for this service we can help, sign up today by clicking on the Digital Banking link.

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