I recieved a check for a wedding gift. My (Groom) last name is wrong... What should I do?

Question

Should I send it back? Should I call her and tell her?

I am the groom, it has my mother's Madien name on it (i.e. Milton) but my last name is (i.e. Dixon)...

Answer 1

Chances are great it won't matter a bit. You are depositing 10 checks at a time. The bank knows something big is going on. I had a couple checks addressed to me but the last name was neither my old name or my new name but instead my MOTHERS MAIDEN name. lol.

Unless the person who wrote the check complains, the bank doesn't care at all. There is no investigations into forgery without a complaint either btw.

Though when I write them my thankyou note I would include the proper names and perhaps a lil sheet of paper that has "Please update your records.
John and Jane Doe
1234 Smith St
Anywhere, ST 98765

That way they have all the correct information they need for the next time.

But there is no reason to embarrass the people who wrote you a check by calling them to point out their mistake.

Answer 2

It is so obvious what you should do, send the check back with a letter explaining the mistake. Make light of it because it's really not that big a deal.

Write something like:

Hi Aunt Jane,

Thank you for the thoughtful gift.

We sure would love to be able to go shopping at Walmart next week for some new drapes for the livingroom, however, because the last name is wrong we are unable to use the check you sent.

Maybe you change it for me so we can plan that shopping trip after all.

Hope (all of) you are well.

Love,

Justin

Answer 3

Do you have a savings or checking account at bank or credit union? If so, you may still be able to cash the check. The tellers may know you personally and will cash the check or deposit it for you.

You may also want to call ahead and ask what the policy is.
You may end up sending the check back and hope that the guest will send you a corrected one.

Answer 4

Send the check back with an enclosed letter of thanks, and explain why you could not accept it. The giver then has the option of correcting the problem and issuing you a new check or giving you a gift, or cash instead. Send the check back, it's the right thing to do.

Answer 5

Call the bank, and ask what to do. If you are known to them, they might cash it. If not, call the sender, and tell them, they will have to cut you another. But to save them the embarrassment, call the bank first. You can probably endorse the check with the correct name, and the wrong name, but check before you sign.

Answer 6

Sign it the wrong way, then sign right under it the right way and cash/deposit it.

I was told by the bank to do it that way when my brother put my maiden name on a check to me. Even though it was not the correct legal name, that is what they told me to do.

Answer 7

Just take it to your bank and explain the situation. They may possibly let you deposit it and just go ahead and hold it for a few days until it clears through the other bank. If that does not work you will just have to tell the person that sent it.

Answer 8

If it is a friend or relative that your mother knows well, why don't you have her handle it for you? Otherwise, please just contact the person, telling him or her how much you appreciate the check and then explain the problem.

Congratulations on your wedding.

Answer 9

I worked at a bank for 9 years. Sapphy's answer is correct. That's what we told people to do.

Answer 10

If it has the grooms last name on it just wait till you have the marriage cert. then you can cash it.
If it has your maiden name on it than you should be able to cash it now
And as a last resort I would call and talk to the person that wrote the check..