Anon Cheque

jamesd

And you have contacted Pro-activ to let them know that they have sent you a cheque that you weren't expecting, so you can't be charged with taking money you know doesn't belong to you?

Regardless, don't be too reassured by the name match. It still can be a scam just using their name so don't return the money after it has been paid into your account until your bank confirms that the funds have fully cleared so there is no chance of it being a bogus cheque. Getting money from you before funds have cleared is one of the scams, then your cheque is cashed and the scammer's bounces.

jonesMUFCforever

The other scam is that shortly OP will get another letter from the sender of the cheque saying its all been a big mistake and would he be so good in returning the money in the form of a cheque drawn on his account.

He will then be £4000 down because the original cheque is sure to bounce at some time!

d123

ejones999 wrote: »

The other scam is that shortly OP will get another letter from the sender of the cheque saying its all been a big mistake and would he be so good in returning the money in the form of a cheque drawn on his account.

He will then be £4000 down because the original cheque is sure to bounce at some time!

As long as he waits 30 days he should be fine, even foreign cheques will normally bounce within 28 days.

I would suggest that the OP makes sure that he leaves the cash in his account unused for at least twice that length of time before even thinking of using any of it, and also having a back up plan to repay it in the future if someone does follow up what could be a mistake on the company's part.

Dave

jonesMUFCforever

d123 wrote: »

As long as he waits 30 days he should be fine, even foreign cheques will normally bounce within 28 days.

I would suggest that the OP makes sure that he leaves the cash in his account unused for at least twice that length of time before even thinking of using any of it, and also having a back up plan to repay it in the future if someone does follow up what could be a mistake on the company's part.

Dave

I agree with everything you say BUT OP does not know why cheque was sent to him in the first place.
This is the reason I think he should be very cautious and actually contact the company to see why they have sent him £4k.

Mikeyorks

NewbieMoneySaver** wrote: »

I have spoke the bank and after ten days they can't do anything about it.

Absolute rubbish. If it turns out to be a genuine error - they have up to 6 years to pursue you for return of the money. You don't have a leg to stand on by protesting innocence and saying you thought the money was due to you?

But on the general theme of scams and people sending a (fraudulent) cheque 'in error' - and asking you to refund it. You simply never write a cheque of your own, if you have any doubt. You just invite the drawer of the erroneous cheque - to get their Bank to countermand it with your Bank. That way none of your funds are at risk.

NewbieMoneySaver**

Thanks for all you views and help.

I have phoned the copany and they said the person that I need to speak to is away at the moment and they will get back to me.

jonesMUFCforever

Let us know how you get on.

NewbieMoneySaver**

Will do cheers.

:beer:

NewbieMoneySaver**

Its the end of the road.

To good to be true.

The company phoned today and said that there cheque book was stolen.

Still dont know why exactly I recieved it and how the person got my name and address.

Thanks all for your help.

Mikeyorks

NewbieMoneySaver** wrote: »

The company phoned today and said that there cheque book was stolen.

How very odd. Your earlier post suggests the cheque was 'paid' 5 days ago? Yet the Company haven't put Stop's on the stolen cheques????

I've been involved in cases in the past where the odd encashment has been allowed to proceed - to create an evidence audit trail. But it's a bit peculiar where a number of cheques are involved .... and Robin Hood's been showering the country with them.