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    Jim Llinet's Avatar
    Jim Llinet Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Feb 2, 2007, 03:17 PM
    What happens if you cash a check that a bank sent you by mistake
    Hello,

    I received a check from a bank to my name for an amount of money that I don't recall is due to me. What would happen if I cash this check?
    Can I be charged with a crime, if the bank decides to recall the check?
    Are any other types of cahrges can be brought against me if I cash the check?
    Can I cash the check, hold the amount in an interest bearing account, awaiting the bank to catch up on their mistake, and then return the original amount but keep any interest?

    Or should I just call the bank and say: Hey guys, I think you have made a mistake.. I don't think I am owe this money!

    As always I apprecaite your opinions..

    Vr
    Jim
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
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    #2

    Feb 2, 2007, 03:30 PM
    First is it your bank??

    Do you have any relationshipo with this bank??

    If you have no idea what bank this is don't cash it.

    And most certainly don't pay them back any money till you know that the check actually clears. Note some fake bank sends you a check that looks real, then they contact you and say to wire or western union the money back to them right away, and guess what in about 3 weeks, that check bounces and you owe your bank back all that money.



    Next if it is a very small amount they now have all of your account and routing info and it is fairly easy to fake a automatic withdrawal and take all of the money out of your account.

    So banks just don't send you money by mistake, esp if you don't use that bank.
    tojo152's Avatar
    tojo152 Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Feb 3, 2007, 04:08 PM
    Call the bank and inquire. You just may be due this money, but if not the cops will come-a-callin' with some silver colored bracelets for you to try on. Then you will have to spend some cash on lawyers fees, thus leaving you out the money that the bank sent plus some of your own hard earned $$. The choice of course is yours. A) JAIL B) NO JAIL. I always pick A.
    excon's Avatar
    excon Posts: 21,482, Reputation: 2992
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    #4

    Feb 3, 2007, 06:54 PM
    Hello Jim:

    I don't think you'd go to jail, but you WILL have to pay it back. They're going to ask you why you took the money when you knew it wasn't yours. If you don't have a good answer, don't take it.

    excon

    PS> As you may have noticed, there isn't a good answer.
    tikitime's Avatar
    tikitime Posts: 14, Reputation: 2
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    #5

    Mar 27, 2007, 07:11 PM
    "a bank" sent you money.. not "My bank".

    I'm guessing its one of those scam mailings that turn out to be a high interest credit card advance type deal, or like fkrchuck says, just a plain old scam.

    Go to the bank it is drawn on, open an account with their check, and do not touch the money. See what happens.

    Wait at least 60 days.
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
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    #6

    Mar 27, 2007, 08:46 PM
    I have not heard of the high interst credit card advance, any good info or links to info on it, So much of what I answer is learned by reading others posts over the years,

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