Changing my written signature - issues?

Soldato
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Currently I write out my surname in full for my signature. I'm thinking of changing my signature to just my initials. Obviously I need to advise the bank and other money-related organisations, but who else? Are there any other issues of which I should be aware?
 
Your signature makes its way to the bank by magic. One day you'll go in and sign something and say 'oh but I changed my signature' and they'll be like 'ez bro we know'.
 
Currently I write out my surname in full for my signature. I'm thinking of changing my signature to just my initials. Obviously I need to advise the bank and other money-related organisations, but who else? Are there any other issues of which I should be aware?

Out of interest, can you provide me with one modern day scenario whereby a signature would be checked by the bank?

Your signature makes its way to the bank by magic. One day you'll go in and sign something and say 'oh but I changed my signature' and they'll be like 'ez bro we know'.

This doesn't happen. If you want to actively sign against bank records, you'll need to let the bank know and ask for a signature mandate form, but that does bring me back to my first point.
 
My signature is illegible, so I just sign a different name each time. Have done for years without a problem.

A friend was telling me not long back that now, when he signs on, they use an e-signature pad and the signature he gives has to match the reference sample he gave to something like 90%. He's usually there for a good 20mins trying to get it to match, so I'd be ****** if I ever had to sign on.
 
I changed my signature years ago. Nobody cared.

One of these days I'll sign my name as Neville Sporkington-Harris, and see what happens.
 
Cheques. Legal instructions. Hmm... that's two. :)
When did you last do either of those?

Cheques - pretty much not accepted as payment anywhere except between individuals. No longer issued by large companies. Not signature checked for amounts below £1000 (might be more now)
Written Instructions - such as? Nothing you can't do over the phone, or via internet banking. Do you still believe the local bank manager hand opens your letters? :)
 
I use a couple of different ones depending on what Im signing. I keep one only for bank stuff etc. Other crap gets a short scribble.

Though its been a long time since Ive seen anyone actually check this stuff :\
 
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Most of my banks have never even seen my signature. I've got 2 current accounts which I signed up to online and never even been into a branch and another where I signed up online and have only been in 3-4 times in the past few years to deposit some cash.
 
Cheques - pretty much not accepted as payment anywhere except between individuals.
We had a tree removed earlier this year, they sent us an invoice, we sent a cheque.
No longer issued by large companies.
My daughter got a tax rebate, it was a cheque.
Not signature checked for amounts below £1000 (might be more now)
Actually, I didn't think they ever bothered to check the signatures anyway.
 
We had a tree removed earlier this year, they sent us an invoice, we sent a cheque.

My daughter got a tax rebate, it was a cheque.

Actually, I didn't think they ever bothered to check the signatures anyway.
For the first example, you could have just done a bank transfer - nobody receiving payment prefers cheques to that.

For the second example, your daughter didn't need a signature.

Third point, correct!
 
For the first example, you could have just done a bank transfer - nobody receiving payment prefers cheques to that.
The invoice didn't provide bank details, it said "cheques made payable to...."

The point I'm making is that companies do still take cheques, they're not only used between individuals.
 
The invoice didn't provide bank details, it said "cheques made payable to...."

The point I'm making is that companies do still take cheques, they're not only used between individuals.
But they would gladly have taken a bank transfer if like many people you don't have a chequebook. They aren't needed at all.
 
I'm sure they would have taken a bank transfer.
You're not getting it though. The comment was made that pretty much nobody except individuals take cheques, I was simply giving a recent example where a company not only took one but actively encouraged it by not offering any other payment method.
 
I'm sure they would have taken a bank transfer.
You're not getting it though. The comment was made that pretty much nobody except individuals take cheques, I was simply giving a recent example where a company not only took one but actively encouraged it by not offering any other payment method.

For clarity, and I was hoping to not have to spell it out, I meant, when you go to proper shops or petrol stations, etc, where you used to use a cheque guarantee card. I probably haven't written a cheque in +/- 5 years. I have however received one, but I was able to scan it on my Mobile App rather than having to find one of the limited opening hour branches nearby.

Actually, I didn't think they ever bothered to check the signatures anyway.

All high street banks use their DSC to automatically check signatures on cheques over £1000. If the signature is thrown out by the automation process, it is referred to the bank.
 
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