'stopped cheque'

[Gillian Gellatly]

Can anyone advise what I should do? Have just had a cheque I paid into my account returned by my bank marked 'stopped'. This was payment from a guest (fortunately only for one night's stay). Have e-mailed guest and left 4 messages on his mobile and work phones last week, but no response. With hindsight, I was foolish not to ask for his cheque card guarantee no. to write on back of cheque. I'm pretty sure I have been stitched up by this guest, there was something shifty about him. Ironically, according to his e-mail confirming his booking, he is head of litigation for a London Bank (which may be why he thinks he can get away with it!). Any suggestions as to how I can get the money due / try to stop him doing it again somewhere else?
Thanks
Gill

[Jackster]

Hi Gill. Sorry to hear of your trouble. Perhaps you could find out the address of this bank from his email address (ie. if his email address is joe.bloggs@Marks & Harper Banking.com you could try to locate the website by trying www.marksandharperbanks.com). Once you locate the address perhaps a letter stating all the details, of his stay with you, which was confirmed and asking why he felt he could just stopped payment for not apparent reason. This may not help at all but a) you will get it off your chest and b) is secretary (and office) will know what a mean-spirited person he really is.
Jacquie

[Der Alte Fritz]

Or I am sorry to say it may be a scam.
There are a regular run of people who travel resorts getting rooms for free on stolen cards, cheque books or false ids.
It just sounds too good to be true that he is a very highly paid individual in a bank who then quibbles about a small room bill. Did he drive an expensive car, wear good clothes, etc? Easiest thing is to identify his bank and then telephone their local branch and find out if he is bona fide. In my business experience most large firms use chain hotels through their in-house travel agents and they may be shifting down a peg but such a man would probably be put in a three star hotel minimum.

The Police often have a regular watch message that goes round about this kind of fraud, I would get yourself put on their list as well.

[Happy Guests]

Sorry to hear about the fraud - as it is illegal to stop a cheque, but doubt you will get it back! Just dont take cheques hardly anyone does anymore so why should hotels? With the credit crunch we have also stopped any company invoice facilities all must pay up front on ARRIVAL no one has gone away they all accept it.