Can I trust a cheque that clears then bounces later?
No. A cheque appearing to clear is not a guarantee of payment — it can still bounce days later, leaving you responsible for any money you spent.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Banks often make funds available from a deposited cheque before it has fully cleared through the banking system. This provisional credit can appear within hours or a day, giving the impression the cheque is genuine. However, the cheque can still be returned — due to a closed account, insufficient funds, or forgery — up to several days later, sometimes longer for foreign cheques.
Scammers exploit this window by sending overpayment cheques in jobs or sales, asking you to forward the excess before it bounces. By the time the cheque is reversed, the money you forwarded is gone. The rule is simple: do not spend or forward money from a deposited cheque until your bank confirms it has fully and finally cleared — and ideally, be very cautious about cheques from people you don't know personally.
Common red flags
- A cheque from someone you don't know arrives unexpectedly
- You are asked to forward a portion of the funds quickly
- The cheque is for more than the agreed amount
- The sender has a complicated explanation for why the extra funds need forwarding
- There is urgency to move the money before you have time to verify
What to do now
- Do not forward any funds from a cheque until your bank confirms final clearance
- Ask your bank explicitly how long full clearance takes for that cheque
- If you received a cheque in relation to a job offer or sale, contact your bank before depositing
- Report unexpected cheques associated with job offers to your national fraud service
- If you already forwarded funds, contact your bank immediately
Frequently asked questions
If the money is available in my account, isn't the bank guaranteeing it?
No. Provisional credit is the bank making funds temporarily available, not a guarantee that the cheque is good. The bank can reclaim the amount if the cheque is dishonoured.
How long does a cheque take to fully clear?
Domestic cheques typically clear in a few business days, but this varies by country and bank. Foreign cheques can take weeks. Ask your bank for the specific clearance timeline before acting.