Help! I've been sent a cheque!

gemmaj

an odd call for help.

I have received post today - an envelope addressed to me (typed) and post marked from Illinois, USA. Inside was a blank sheet of A4 paper and a UK cheque, a Halifax cheque hand written, for me, for almost £7000

:j:eek::D:confused:

I am not expecting a cheque, I have no rich friends, I don't know anyone in Illinois, and the signature on the cheque is illegible.

I have phoned Halifax who won't give out any details but say from how I describe it, it sounds legitimate.

I have spoken to my bank who have confirmed that there wouldn't be any fees to me if it bounced (or was fake etc) but cautioned me that it may not be my money to spend (although the cheque is payable to me by full name)

Is it safe to pay in? I mean, I couldn't be accused of entering any legally binding contract just by paying in a cheque could I??

And IF (big if, I know) I end up with almost £7000 in my account, when can I spend it?

By the way, Both banks made me laugh - "are you sure you aren't expecting a cheque from America? Is your husband? Did you overpay a hotel and not notice?" Trust me - neither of us have mislaid or forgotten about almost £7000!!!

macman

Is there no name or account no. on the cheque? Sounds to me like an overpayment scam. They'll contact you and say it was sent in error and please could you kindly send it back by Western Union?-but of course please keep £1,000 for your trouble and just send us £6K. Then after you've done that, it will bounce.
So I would pay it in and then sit on it for at least two weeks to see what happens, can't see what harm that can do.
Was it sent recorded delivery-that way they would know when you received it and so when to contact you?

warehouse

macman wrote: »

Sounds to me like an overpayment scam. They'll contact you and say it was sent in error and please could you kindly send it back by Western Union?-but of course please keep £1,000 for your trouble and just send us £6K. Then after you've done that, it will bounce.

That's it exactly. Bin it.

davetrousers

There isn't any invisible ink on the paper is there?

Voyager2002

Pay it into an interest-bearing account, and earn something while you wait to see what happens next.

Lokolo

Bank but if anyone rings you or whatever, just say you can't give it back until the cheque clears (2 weeks, just to be sure), and they should contact you then.

Don't give any money to anyone though!

Viper_7

Yes pay it in. does sound like an overpayment scam. As the bank advised though it could be in error - but it is not your problem to correct it, but as advised you shouldn't spend it.

Not sure how long you need to wait if it is in error, but as it's a cheque, ie someone has written your details out, then it's their error and not a banking error, so they would be hard pushed to actually get it back if it was a scam or just an error.

you'll probably find it bounces...

zzzLazyDaisy

If anyone contacts you and asks for the money back, DO NOT send them any money, under any circumstances. Tell them they will have to contact their own bank and take whatever steps are necessary to recall the money, and confirm that you will notify your own bank of the conversation. Then notify your bank in writing and ask them to investigate.

The reason is that contrary to popular belief, a cheque can 'bounce' several months after being paid in - the main reason being that the cheque was stolen in the first place, which means the money was never the sender's to give in the first place, but it can take a while to trace the money.

If it was me, I'd bank the cheque in a separate account and leave it there. Frankly if it was me, I'd leave it there for a good long time - probably a couple of years - before I felt safe to spend it. But yes, I would bank it.

PS - do let us know what happens!

opinions4u

gemmaj wrote: »

I have phoned Halifax who won't give out any details but say from how I describe it, it sounds legitimate.

I'd ring their main switchboard on 08706 00 50 00 (possible that 01422 333333 still works too) and ask to be put through to their Retail Fraud team and talk it through with them.

They will be better able to guide you than a call centre.

Is it safe to pay in? I mean, I couldn't be accused of entering any legally binding contract just by paying in a cheque could I??

No. But you could have your account frozen while they investigate a potential fraud which could cause you an issue or two!

maxtweenie

gemmaj wrote: »

I am not expecting a cheque, I have no rich friends, I don't know anyone in Illinois, and the signature on the cheque is illegible.

So the money is NOT yours and you shouldn't pay it in. As several people have surmised on here, it is more than likely an overpayment scam. These sorts of scams only work because the recipient expects something for nothing. I say bin the cheque.

Pound

No, don't bank the cheque, even to accrue interest. As soon as you pay it in you'll be in a world of crap with some Nigerian scammer asking for his money back and if it comes from a hijacked bank account you'll be in a universe of crap with the police.

Just run it through the shredder and you'll be much happier in the long run.