I just received a check that I don't know where it came from in the mail? Do I cash it or not?

It came in the mail via DHL and was written on December 3, 2008. It has a name and address on the package where it came from and it has my full name and address as the recipient. The check is for $3,800.35. Now I did apply for a mystery shopper job so that could be it but the name doesn't match up. The bank is "Navy Federal Credit Union" and it seems legit. I've heard about what can go wrong if I cash it at a check cashing place so I'm thinking of putting into my account to see if it is a bad check or not. I tried calling the number on the package and it said that it was disconnected and I tried calling the bank and never got an answer (too busy). What should I do?

I would verify the check first with Navy Fed. If the check bounces you will have bank fees.

Sounds pretty fishy if the number has been disconnected.

Tear it up and throw it away. Any "mystery shopper" job that sends you a check for 3 grand would be a scam anyway.

Edit:
Do not listen to people telling you to put in the bank and see or taking it to the bank to authenticate it. This is 100% a scam. Doing anything other than throwing it away could result in more hassle, possible bank fees, and police involvement.

its bound to be a fake check
see http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre40.shtm
and if deposit the check and then spend the money as once
the bank find the check is phony they will take their money back
leaving you with a nice "negative balance in your account"

as for mystery shopping you first do the assignment then you get
paid a small amount like $10.00 or something) per shop
I"m also a mystery shoppper myself)

Getting an unexpected check for a large sum of money is your first clue it's a scam. The second, is the fact the phone number is disconnected. And as far as the mystery shopper job...No legitimate company is going to send you a check like that.
Do Not cash this check!! It's completely fake!
If, for some reason, you do happen to cash it, don't spend it. Because you will owe all of that money back.
The best thing to do is shred it and throw it away!

If you put it in your bank and later find out it was no good, you'll wind up paying banks fees due to the bounced check. Just put in the shredder and forget about it. Better to be safe than sorry later.

go to nfcu.org - see if there is a branch near you. If there is take the check in and have them authenticate and cash it at the branch.

The disconnected number should tell you all. Scam.

THROW IT AWAY!!!!!!!! NOW! theyre just waiting for you to deposit it in your account then they have access to your account information then you'll be out lots more because they will milk you for all you got. THROW IT AWAY!!!!!!!!!ITS A SCAM.....................

DO NOT PUT IN YOUR BANK OR ATTEMPT TO CASH IT.

If you do not know where it came from, then more than likley its a bad check.

Sounds like a scam.

Sounds like a scam.
http://www.navyfederal.org/news/newsinfo_idtheft_Scams.html

May be...
# The check is probably no good. Yes to all your questions You can be arrested sued for the money plus all bank charges.
# It's a scam. The check is either forged or stolen. Just tear it up and throw it away.
# Sorry to say but if it seems to good to be true it more than likely is! I'm not really sure what would happen if you cashed it depending on whether it's fake or not. If it's fake it'll just bounce, but the charges would more than likely be on the account that it's trying to be drawn from.
# dont take it

return it to the police station. u may even be in the news paper if the sender is caught for sending wrong cheque..
# It's fake.
# If its got yur nameeful on it then bank it but be car
# Are you in business? Do you have customers that owe you money? If so do you have a customer with the same name as is on the cheque, or can you work out who owes you Ð’Ðˆ900? Even if not, its probably a legit cheque from a customer who owes you (or thinks they owe you) money.

It makes no difference if the cheque if fake. The worst that can happen is that the bank refuse to take it, or they later take the money back out of your account. This won't be a problem if you don't spend it. But why would someone send you a fake cheque? Check with your bank, but I doubt you will be charged for banking a bounced cheque.

If you bank the cheque knowing its not yours then you could be liable for theft, but if you have an honest belief that it is from someone who owes you then you are OK, even if you later turn out to have been mistaken. Although you would have to pay it back if it has been sent in error.

The person who sent it must know who they've sent it to and why. If they've made a mistake the quickest way to get in touch with them is to bank the cheque and wait for them to ask for the money back.
# sounds b.s, bang the cheque in the bank, see if it clears, iif not, who cares?
# if you go the the bank it was issued on they can tell you if there is enough money in account to have the check clear
also the bank said they would call this lady and have her call you?
wow thats hard to believe
the check should have on it the persons name and address why dont you look up their phone number on line and give them a call
or maybe the less intrusive thing to do is write them a quick note to ask what its all about
# the cheque has to be signed by someone, if it's not it's a fake
# take it to your bank & find out if it's legitimate?
# Try googling the person or firm on the cheque to see if that gives you any clues....
# BANK IT!!!!
# I suggest you do nothing with it. If it has been sent to you by mistake, it can be traced after you pay it into your account. Ask at a branch of the issuing bank if it is genuine.
# Literally just an envelope (I have had a letter from someone with the same handwriting, i remember as it looks a bit like my friends but its not) but i cant remember what was in the other envelope, it wasent anything special at all. Now ive received literally just a cheque for Ð’Ðˆ900 written out to me, no letter, nothing. I have no idea where its from! What do i do? Ive rung the bank and asked them to contact this woman and get her to ring me but she hasent yet. Whats the worst that can happen if i cash it? Can i get arrested? Made to pay the money back? Get any bank charges if it bounces? Thanks xx
# In Ireland, cheques don't usually have the person's address as well as name and account number. I expect it is the same in UK

Go to a branch of the bank that this cheque was drawn on, and ask them to forward a letter from you to this lady, asking if she had sent it to you in error. If not, what is it for? The bank might even tell you if there are sufficient funds. They wouldn't be at liberty to give you her address, but they should be willing to forward a letter, ready stamped for postage.

Don't cash it yet, until you get some answers.
# The bank will charge you if it bounces. Can you take it to the original bank it was written on?
# this is a scam,
# You should forward it to me immediately.
# dont do anything with it leave it to one side and if its genuine whoever posted it should contact you. these are generally scams so dont get duped into it
# Wow! My first thought would be brill then I would get a bit suspicious. First you need to check with the issuing bank that the cheque is genuine.

If it is, then I am not sure if they can give you any details about the person on the cheque.

You obviously don't recognise the name. Until you have checked it out I wouldn't cash it!

# I think you are correct to be very suspicious. I can think of some reasons why this should happen but not without a covering letter ever.
If you cash it and it bounces you wil be charged by your bank especially these days so I would not try to cash it until I was certain. If it is genuine but made out to you wrongly you will have to pay it back.

I have a gut feeling it is some sort of scam. i have no idea h

Call the Mystery shopping company that you worked for and ask them if it is there check.
If the answer is no, keep calling the bank the check was issued from. Do not cash until you know where it is from.
If you really can't wait, then open a new savings account and deposit the check there. Wait for 30 days to make sure it clears.

just try to put it into your account. wait a month and see if it's added on.

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