it has the water stamp on the back it saysDRAWER;WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK
2007-03-12 11:05:22 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Personal Finance
If you weren't expecting it and don't know the sender, it is almost certainly a scam.
DON'T DEPOSIT IT. You may end up with criminal fraud charges against you if you do.
Even if your bank checks it out and tells you it's a legitimate check drawn on a real account, don't let them deposit it. It's probably stolen or forged.
Either rip it up or take it to your local city attorney or county attorney consumer protection department. They'll know what to do to check it out properly.
2007-03-12 11:20:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Did this check come from someone that you personally know and have had a personal relationship with for some time? Like a close friend, business associate, or family member? If so, it may be good.
Or did it come from some unknown contact on the internet, either in response to an ad you placed or an "employment" offer you received? Does the drawer want you to send them some money, probably by Western Union, and keep the rest for yourself? If any of that is the case, the check is almost certainly worthless. If you cash it, you will be responsible for covering it when it does bounce.
If you are at all suspicious, take it to your bank and tell them you want to present it for collection. Do NOT deposit it to your account! When an item is presented for collection it is NOT deposited to your account until the bank verifies positively that the check has cleared the issuing bank. There may be a small fee for the service, but if it is returned as unpaid, there will be no bounced check fees assessed and you will not have to cover the check from your personal funds.
There is also a common scam that is barely legal where sub-prime lenders send out checks that are actually loan advances. If you endorse the check and deposit it you are actually accepting their loan offer and will be obligated to repay it, usually at an exhorbitant interest rate. Read ALL of the fine print on the check and the paperwork that came with it!
2007-03-12 11:54:01 · answer #2 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The real answer is: if it is drawn by a certain bank, take it to the bank and verify its authenticity. Nowadays, you cannot tell what is real or isn't when it comes to checks (for those others you know its a scam or part of a hook if you have to do something in return or cashing it will engage you in a business arrangement) money orders, just the same, they may look real but only the real provider will call it out.
2007-03-12 11:26:22 · answer #3 · answered by realwrekonizereal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you were expecting a check in this amount and you are owed this money (or won it in a legitimate contest), then I guarantee you there are strings attached and if I were you, I would rip it up and throw it away. And the guy above is clueless. If you take the check and it is credited to your account, it may obligate you to some loan program, other debts, or something of this type by the entity who sent it to you. And, if the check were to bounce and you had spent some of it, your bank would come after YOU for it, NOT the entity who sent you the check! Pitch it!
2007-03-12 11:09:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to or call your closest Washington Mutual Bank and give them the bank routing number and account number.
2007-03-12 11:37:20 · answer #5 · answered by Venita Peyton 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depositing this check makes you liable for the loan agreement attached.probably a HORRIBLE deal!!
2007-03-12 11:11:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Take it to the bank.
2007-03-12 11:07:41 · answer #7 · answered by Grace 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Were you expecting it? It's a scam. Tear it up.
2007-03-12 11:13:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bank it then see if it is credited into your account!
2007-03-12 11:08:39 · answer #9 · answered by Tiffers 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋
It's probably a scam...
2007-03-12 11:10:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋