Hi there,
What would you call a cheque when it has no name on it and, hence, can be cashed by anyone who has it?
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Hi there,
What would you call a cheque when it has no name on it and, hence, can be cashed by anyone who has it?
I'd call it an open cheque.
Rover
I'd call it a blank check. (AmE)
I withdraw my previous answer, as I believe that 5JJ's response also applies to AmE. See second paragraph here. ?Blank check? auto loans flexible « Bankrate, Inc.
It is very unusual to issue a check with the payee line left blank. Checks are often made out to "Cash", in which case anyone can cash them.
For me, a blank cheque can be:
- a cheque with nothing but a signature on it
- a cheque with a signature and a payee's name but no amount or date
- a cheque with a signature and the amount but no payee's name or date.
I agree more with emsr2d2. In my mind a "blank check" has a signature at the minimum. Before the days of cash machines and widespread credit card use, people who, for example, were going away for a trip and leaving their home and children in someone's care might leave a few blank checks with the caregiver, in case of emergency.