"can only refund by (physical) cheque" - what can be done? I internet bank!

Does your bank not allow you to pay in cheques online? Most banks now offer this service eg:

https://www.barclays.co.uk/ways-to-bank/mobile-banking-services/paying-in-a-cheque/

https://www.natwest.com/banking-with-natwest/how-to/pay-in-cheques.html

https://www.lloydsbank.com/online-banking/payments-and-transfers/pay-in-a-cheque.html

https://www.hsbc.co.uk/ways-to-bank/mobile/cheque-deposit/

I online bank (high street bank too) and can deposit cheques via the app. You also can with app-only banks like Starling and Revolut. I do agree it seems a bit primative. 

In my mind if a bank does not accept cheques, it’s not a bank. I know they are rare these days, but cheques will still be around for sometime. Still remember feeding them through a 1419.

If your online banking app doesn't allow cheque deposits then most banks allow cheques to be deposited via the post office.

Hi Foc 👋🏼.

Thank you for coming back to us on here, I can see our team member is on a private message with yourself. Please continue to speak over private message to avoid any confusion and our team will further assist.  

I suspect it's more to do with internal security within VM. If there's only one chequebook with one authorized signatory there's no opportunity for misuse of thie primitive computer systems.