A year or so ago I had an account with a UK bank and it was closed due to inactivity. Unaware of this, I sent a 5000GBP deposit against that account and the bank cashed the cheque. 6 months ago I noticed and started complaining, and the banks only response was to tell me to get the drawer to trace the cheque although they did claim "usually" they return cheques rather than cash them in such circumstances. Today the bank returned the funds to the drawer.
I do not live in the UK, however, can give power of attorney to a resident and am considering submitting a complaint to the financial ombudsman service as I do not believe the bank should have cashed the cheque, as while they have had use of the money for a year, I suffered through not having access to funds payable to me.
Am I wasting my time, or is the banks reticence on the subject indicative that this is worth pursuing further?