A check for an even $1 million was deposited in my bank account, but I haven't heard anything from the bank or the owner of the check or anyone and it's been nearly two months now. Should I call the bank and tell them? Or, is the person who should have received the money so rich that s/he doesn't know it wasn't deposited into the right account? I'm debating whether or not I should spend it or have the bank reverse the transaction. What do you think? What would you do?
2006-11-03 09:24:42 · 17 answers · asked by Sean B 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Overnight I became a millionaire at 24.
2006-11-03 09:40:23 · update #1
I really could pay off my student loans, credit card, and pay off my car. I would donate at least half to a charitable cause to give back. But, what if I don't get any monetary reward from the bank or the individual if I inform the bank? I really could use the money cuz I'm a struggling college graduate. What would you do?
2006-11-03 09:42:43 · update #2
For those of you who are concern about it being a scam, well it's been nearly 2 months so that's plenty of time for a check to bounce if there was insufficient funds. So, the money definitely transferred. I just viewed a copy of the check and the person it was payable to was not legible and the person who signed the check signature is not legible either. But, the check was written by someone who is only identified by initials with an address in Beverly Hills. Since I live in L.A., I visited that address and it was protected by guards with a gatehouse and security. I asked who lived them to a security personnel and was told that information cannot be released. So I left. I did a search online for a name or number with that address and it was unlisted. So, I'm thinking, if it's been 2 months and no one seems to really care, the person who wrote the check probably just wrote another one to the person it was intended for and just assumed the first one was lost. I really don't know.
2006-11-03 09:52:00 · update #3
I would call the bank. It has to belong to someone, doesn't it? And if you spent it you'd always be wondering when the bank was going to want it back.
2006-11-03 09:26:53 · answer #1 · answered by tantiemeg 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When someone finds the error……….do NOT lie to yourself that they won’t, that money has to come from somewhere if you spend it………YOU will be responsible for paying it back and can be held criminally liable for it (it can be proven you know it is not yours). I will not try to sway your decision other than tell you the possible consequences. It is your life to do with as you wish for good or ill.
You could go to the bank and get a loan based on your bank balance (I would suggest getting a small amount if you do this) to consolidate your bills but even this is risky. I would get it resolved before the IRS or DEA starts wondering how a 24 year old made a cool million overnight……..which may come to their attention next tax day if you spend it or keep it in your account as a personal asset.
Personally I would make them find the error a fix it but that's me.
2006-11-03 10:31:52 · answer #2 · answered by thewolfskoll 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the deposit shows up on your statement and the check is pictured with it, you should be able to see who it is payable to. Also if you bank on the internet and can look at the transactions on your account you can investigate that way. You should tell your bank. If they discover the error and any of the money is missing, and the check is legitimate, you will be liable for replacing it. However, the issue with found money these days is that scams are EVERYWHERE. Better to be safe than replacing big bucks, right?
2006-11-03 09:42:43 · answer #3 · answered by eeyoung03 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would tell the bank of the error. I wouldn't find spending the money worthwhile knowing that it's not mine and wondering all the time when someone would catch the glitch. I sure could use that kind of money right now, but my moral conscience is just too strong, and I'd be too paranoid to spend it anyway. Besides if you play it right you might get a reward for being honest, if not in cash then eventually in karma.
2006-11-03 09:35:23 · answer #4 · answered by Sager 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to inform the bank of the error. If you spend the money and they find out about the erro months down the road they can demand the money and legal action can be taken. Just ask them about the deposit. Anyone can make a deposit into your account. Maybe you had a very generous secret admirer.
2006-11-03 09:33:56 · answer #5 · answered by walkerhound03 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you want to get the scammer off your back, don't let him know you know it's a scam or they will harass you. Write back to say that unfortunately you don't have a bank account so you can't cash the check so you are mailing it back to him. And that you just got another job so you can't work for him so if he sends any other checks, you'll just be returning to the sender Then turn over the check, the original envelope and copies of all emails to your local police or FBI Field Office
2016-03-28 05:56:03 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
-----I would call the bank bookkeeping department and tell them about it. I think that if you take the money, it is stealing, you can go to jail. One time some lady's deposit got put in my account because she wrote her name on her deposit slip so poorly it looked like mine. I was told that if I had tried to keep / spend it, that it would have been stealing. After a day of having fantasies about all that money being mine, I called the bank. One million dollars is such a large sum, you may want to contact a lawyer before calling the bank; he will ensure that all your legal rights, if any, are preserved. -----Jim
2006-11-03 09:40:41 · answer #7 · answered by James M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't get too comfortable with all that money. Banks actually aren't insured to have that much money in an individual bank account, and if you actually had that kind of money in your account, the bank would require you to take out your own insurance policy on it, so if they haven't contacted you regarding this issue, then I doubt the money's really there. Hope you haven't spent any of it!
2006-11-03 10:09:04 · answer #8 · answered by JenV 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is totally ridiculous. Call the bank and tell them. The money doesn't belong to you in any way, shape or form and therefore should be returned. If it was a gift you would have been informed. It's not so therefore it doesn't belong to you...........
2006-11-03 11:02:16 · answer #9 · answered by silhouette 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should marry me! lol I think you should leave it in there but not tell them. Or you could spend a teeny bit and just tell them that you had no idea because you never look at your bank account
2006-11-03 09:33:29 · answer #10 · answered by Sonyja 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋