Accepting Visa Travelers Cheques

Visa recommends the following Visa travelers Cheque acceptance procedures:

First, examine any Visa travelers Cheque for certain security features.

• Paper: It should feel like currency. Counterfeit cheques will feel smoother or thicker than normal.

• Visa dove watermark: It should be visible on the front of the cheque when lifted up to a light source. Counterfeit cheques may not have a watermark, or it may appear on the back instead of the front.

• Engraved printing: It should have a raised texture to the touch. Engraved elements on a Visa travelers Cheque include the primary denomination indicator, the cheque border, and the cheque’s portrait. Counterfeit cheques will often have a flat surface.

• Silver holographic bands: They should be to the right of the Visa symbol. When you tilt a cheque, the colour in the bands will appear to change. The bands also have a repeat pattern, with the word “secure” in them. If the colour of the bands appears black, the cheque may be counterfeit.

• Security inks: Cheques should have a multi-coloured background pattern, with the word “Visa”, the currency and denomination included. Any attempt to alter the signature or countersignature areas may smudge or erase the background pattern.

Next, watch the customer countersign each Visa travelers Cheque on the lower left-hand signature line.

• Compare the countersignature with the signature on the upper right-hand signature line. In the case of dual-signature cheques, the countersignature must match one of the two original signatures in the upper right. In either case, if the signatures do not match, ask the customer to countersign the cheque again, on the reverse side, and request photo ID.

• If you receive a Visa travelers Cheque that is already countersigned, ask the customer to sign it on the back and request photo ID.

If you are suspicious about any Visa travelers Cheque or the customer using it, call Visa’s toll-free number for verification and further instructions. If possible, try to retain the cheque and customer ID. If a customer becomes abusive or threatening, return his or her cheque and ID immediately.