President of the Bankers Association, Larry Howai, yesterday said it was "unlikely" that pension cheques were being changed at banks and given to anyone other than who they were made out to. Responding to questions of an ongoing probe by the Fraud Squad, into stolen pension cheques, Howai, pointed to strict "checks and balances at the banks", saying: "When a pensioner comes in to change a cheque, he/she walks with the relevant identification and of course there's the matching of signatures." And giving a rare scenario where pension funds could end up in the hands of someone other than a pensioner, Howai noted: "What could potentially happen - some of the pensioners may open an account with a granddaughter or a younger relative, what we in the banking fraternity refer to as a 'and/or account', which is done to facilitate the pensioner because mobility may be an issue." Howai explained that if the other signatory to the account brought in the cheque, it would first be deposited and depending on whether or not the person had relevant identification and his/her signature matched, that would be the only way they would have access to the funds. He said depositing the cheque first, is done to ensure that there is a paper trail of the transaction. Allegations also have surfaced that cheques were being changed at supermarkets and the funds given to anyone bearing them. In response to this, president of the Supermarkets Association, Heeranand Maharaj told the Daily Express: "That doesn't happen at my supermarket, but I cannot speak for others." Maharaj said he preferred to "investigate fully" before giving a more comprehensive statement.