In response to the Payments Council research on the impact of the closure of the Cheque Guarantee Card Scheme, Sarah Brooks, Director of Financial Services at Consumer Focus, said:

‘Although the majority of people surveyed said they have not been affected, there has been an impact for some consumers from the removal of the cheque guarantee scheme. One in eight people using a guaranteed cheque said a business has now refused to accept a cheque from them.

‘It is worrying that one in six businesses surveyed said they have stopped accepting cheques either because of the end of this scheme or for other reasons. Although use is declining around two-thirds of consumers still cash and write cheques, and no alternative has yet been developed. 

‘The Payments Council must set out what action it will take to make sure cheques don’t face an unmanaged and messy decline. We’d also like to see responsible retailers reconsidering their decision to stop accepting cheques.’