Comments on: Should I Cash These Old Checks?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:48:37 +0000

I think checks made to multiple receivers with no ‘or’ qualifier are implied as ‘and’ which means all parties would have to be present at cashing. (Long story short, no you can’t do that) – The client should make the check to the contractor with “project payment in full” in the For section and its the contractors responsibility to pay the subcontractors.

By: Pat Cary

Pat Cary — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 19:59:05 +0000

We received a check for work completed on a project and the client made the check out to five companies, intending for all subcontractors to ‘get their money’ too. Is this a ‘good’ check? Our bank said no, but I know I have received checks made out to me as a child and my mother’s name was on it.

By: fractalbrothers

fractalbrothers — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 09:53:30 +0000

personal checks, not so bad, because the issuer can re-verify. I hate it when I find checks for rebates that never got cashed.. then there’s pretty much nothing you can do about it.

By: Dimes

Dimes — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 01:05:09 +0000

I would try and contact the issuer and see if they can reissue the check if you send back the original. I did that once with a reimbursement check that got lost, and it was no big deal.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 14:53:19 +0000

I have no experience in this except for gift checks from relatives. In that case I would never cash the check without letting them know first, because they are probably used to the idea that you are not cashing this check.

Businesses are different, of course, but it might still be polite to contact them first as well, explain the situation, and see what they recommend.

If it’s a rebate check, I’ve heard that some companies try to make it as difficult as possible to get rebates, so holding your check too long may be just another thing on their list of things you can screw up and not get the money.

Meanwhile, now is probably a good time to think up a new system for handling checks you get!

By: Ben

Ben — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 14:17:13 +0000

Often times you can call the issuing bank and ask for check verification. You’ll need to give them the account number on the check and the amount, and they will confirm whether or not there are funds available for the check. I had to do this for my last job with smaller customers to make sure their checks wouldn’t bounce. Also note that most larger banks no longer do this, or require confirmation from the check issuer.
It usually works like a charm for smaller banks.

By: Single Ma

Single Ma — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 12:16:37 +0000

How about call the person/business and tell them you’re about to cash their outdated check. If there’s a banking problem, ask them to write you another one. I’d be pretty pissed if you caused me to incur a NSF fee ($30 at my bank) for a itty bitty check I wrote almost a year ago.