Today, digital payment has certainly increased a lot, but there was a time when people often paid large amounts through cheques. Even today, the importance of cheques has not decreased. People still make many big payments through cheques. You too must have made payments by filling a cheque at some time or the other. While filling a cheque, whether the amount is of thousands or lakhs, Only is definitely written behind it. Also, a slanting line (/-) is drawn and a dash is made. You too must have done this. But do you know why this is done? Those who make payments through cheques every day may also not know the reason for this.

It is not that if you do not write 'Only' after writing the amount on the cheque, there will be a big mistake in the cheque or it will not be accepted. There is no such rule. Even if you do not write 'Only' after writing the amount on the cheque, your cheque will still be accepted.

'Only' is written on the back to keep the cheque secure. After filling the amount on the cheque, when you write 'Only' and draw a diagonal line (/-), there is no space left to add anything after filling the amount. This can prevent fraud through the account to some extent.

Suppose you issue a cheque of Rs. 20,000 in the name of a person and do not write anything after filling the amount, then in such a case 0 or any number can be added after 20,000. But if you write 20,000 Only/-, it confirms that the amount is this much. There is no space left to write anything else after the amount. This makes your cheque secure to some extent.

The two equal lines drawn on the left corner of the cheque are not drawn for any design. These lines mean Account Payee Only, that is, the amount deposited in the account should be received only by the person in whose name the cheque has been drawn. Many times people also write Account Payee or A/C Payee between these lines drawn on the cheque. No other person can get an Account Payee cheque cashed. The amount filled in the cheque will be transferred only to the account of the person in whose name the cheque has been drawn.

If A/C Payee is not written between the lines drawn on the corners of the cheque, then this cheque is called a crossed cheque. Cheque Endorsing can be done by signing on the back of the crossed cheque. But after writing Account Payee, the cheque cannot be endorsed. If the payee of the cheque is not in a position to go to the bank, then he can authorize any other person to get the money. This process is called Cheque Endorsement and this cheque is called an endorsed cheque. When a cheque is endorsed, it is necessary to sign it on the back. In this case, the person receiving the money with the help of the cheque can also transfer the money to another account.

An order or account payee cheque does not require a signature on the back. A bearer's cheque also does not require a signature when a person withdraws money from his own account through a cheque. A signature is required when a third party comes to withdraw money on someone else's instructions with a bearer's cheque. In such a case, banks save themselves from any kind of accountability by getting the cheque signed on the back. By taking the signature of the person who has come to withdraw the money, it is ensured that the money has been given by the bank and even if the money has gone to the wrong person, the bank will not be responsible for it.