Instead of the $1,000 check that you are due from the government, you get $10,000 by mistake. What do you do?

Answer 1

They will probably find out sooner or later they made a mistake...but it isn't your fault and it's their problem. If they want it back then return it. If you get away with it...that's their own clumsy mistake. Cash it!

Answer 2

Definately report the error. Believe me, the IRS knows every PENNY we get and, in a case like this, would go after someone relentlessly.

Now, if you're saying that, by some act of God, that the mistake was somehow only recorded as being $1,000, I'm afraid to say I'd have to cash that puppy. I'd feel kinda bad about it, but my family is really struggling right now, after a pretty horrible layoff four years ago. But, I would always worry about being "found out". So, really, it wouldn't even be worth keeping the money.

Answer 3

This is easy: return the check. The reason why is because, once they find out that they made a mistake, they would like to get that money back. And they will come looking for you. At your job, your home, wherever you are at or are going to be at, they will hunt you down. Yes, it was their fault, but, it would be your fault if you cashed it. You do NOT want the government after you.

Answer 4

You inform them of the mistake and send the money back. It might take a year or two, but eventually, they will catch it and make you pay it back...of course at a time when you've already spent the money and don't have it. The safest thing to do is, instead of thinking you just won the lottery, pretend it never happened and contact them ASAP to make arrangements to give back the money. I'm sure not the answer you want to hear...

Answer 5

Invest it into some market funds, money market or anything of the like and make some interest off of it before they ask for it back, which you know they will. This way you gain the interest made over the time it took them to realize it is a mistake and you don't end up spending the $9000 extra.

Answer 6

Almost every part of me says keep the $10,000 because the government sucks. But because I have a serious self-conscious I would have to return it. I know, that's sad.

Answer 7

Return the amount that is not yours.....you know they are going to want it back and it will be tracked back down at a time that is most inconvienent for you.

Still daydream of what you could have done with that amount of money. Then late in your life it can be a great story to tell old school buddies or grandchildren.

Answer 8

Spend $1000. And if by the end of a 30 day period no one calls me and lets me know about the error, plan a trip to the Bahamas and wild out!!

Answer 9

If it was from anyone else, I might return it. But I figure they've taken enough of my money in taxes to justify keeping the check, even though it is barely recompense enough to cover their abuse of power and trust. A big faceless organization doesn't elicit feelings of regret in me. Screw 'em. I'll keep the money, and invest it in my business.

Answer 10

The government will realize they messed up and you will get into a lot of trouble. It would be tough but better off returning it

Answer 11

cash it. And if they do find the error you pretend to be as dumb as government thinks of people and say that you didnt even look at the amount and just signed the back lol..