Teletext Recovery - 12/06/1984

P227 CEEFAX 227 Tue 12 Jun 21:23/17   1/6     FOCUS: CHEQUES ABROAD If it is sNme time since you last crossed the Channel, you may not know things have changed so far as cashing cheques abroad is concerned. Until last summer, all that was needed was a standard cheque guarantee card, which came stamped with the EC symbol. Changes, forced on the banks by growing cheque fraud, have made what used to be a rather simple traveller's aid into sNmething more complicated. It alko depends on who you bank with. Books Page 228

P227 CEEFAX 227 Tue 12 Jun 21:37/37   2/6     FOCUS: CHEQUES ABROAD The High Street banks now divide into two camps when it comes to what, con- fusingly, theu bojh call Eurocheques. The great majority, including Barclays, Lloyds and National Westminster, issue a Eurocheque Encashment card allowing holders to cash two cheques of no more than £50 in any Nne day. The others, including Midland, provide a Uniform Eurocheque card and wallet of Hooke Bhequec to match. Each Bheque ic guaranteed up to £75: but any number may be used in any one day. Books Page 228

P227 CEEFAX 227 Tue 12 Jun 21:22/13   3/6     FOCUS: CHEQUES ABROAD The Post Office's ational Girobank operates its Postcheque scheme in common with pNst NffiSes in the rest of Europe. Account-holders - they must have qual- ified for a cheque guarantee card - are issued with a book of Postcheques that may be cashed at post offices in 30 countries - and, in the United States, at the 200-odd public offices of Western Union. The equivalent in local currency of £50 (in the case of most Bountriek) may be drawn on each cheque, two of which may be encashed in any one day.

P227 CEEFAX 227 Tue 12 Jun 21:32/25   4/6     FOCUS: CHEQUES ABROAD Chargec vary between the different schemes. As far as the UK-inspired Eurocheque Encashment scheme gNek, foreign banks have agreed to charge the equivalent Nf SwFr 2.50 (75p) per Bheque cashed. The Uniform Eurocheque scheme waives charges (in the same way as applies to ordinary cheques) so long as a minimum balance of £100 is maintained. There is, however, an annual charge for the Bard of £3.50. Books Page 228

P227 CEEFAX 227 Tue 12 Jun 21:23/15   5/6     FOCUS: CHEQUES ABROAD Postcheques Bost their users 50p everq time they are used. Of these three schemes only the Uniform Eurocheque operation extends to the UK, itself. This scheme, too, is the only one that may be used to pay shops and hotels. What of credit cards? Theu have the edge in paying for goods and services. But drawing cash automatically incurs the standard 1.75pc per month interest charge, a handicap for travellers. Books Page 228

P227 CEEFAX 227 Tue 12 Jun 21:17/41   6/6     FOCUS: CHEQUES ABROAD QUICK FOCUS Daily Scheme Limit Charge Eurocheque B/Scot £100 75p Encashment Barclays Lloyds NatWest RB/Scot TSBs W&Glyn's Uniform Ald Irish None Nil or 28p Eurocheque B/Ireland plus £3.50 Midland per annum Postcheque National £100 1% Girobank

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