The governing body that regulates all banks has changed rules to state that stale dated cheques can still be accepted by banks at their discretion. At the same time, some institutions are not allowing firms to place a stop payment on a cheque after it has reached the stale dated mark (6 months).

While reconciling bank accounts on a monthly basis, we can no longer wait until the six month mark to cancel and reissue a cheque. A stop payment will need to be placed at least 48 hours before the six month mark to ensure that when a new cheq. is issued you are not liable if both cheques are cashed as you have taken the proper steps to protect yourself. Banks continue to deflect liability to account holders without properly communicating it them, most times when it is already too late.