Found check!! Can I still cash it???

[Good Ol Gal]

Ok, I was cleaning a laundry basket that was filled with baby clothes that I just can't seem to get rid of. (I get weak in the knees when it comes to baby clothes!)

there was an envelope in it that had a rebate check in it!! It is for $15.00.

Here's the kicker.... it is dated 2/13/03!!

Ok, ok... I don't want to hear about why I had a basket sitting in my closet filled with clothes that will never fit my kids again for over 3 years!!

My question is: Can I still cash this check???? There is nowhere on the check that states "expired after xxx days".

Since it's officially made out to my dh, I can't go and cash it myself, but I can try and deposit it right??

Will the bank give me a hard time about the date???

Thanks and here's to a found $15!! (which I hopefully will get to keep )

 

[wdwmom2]

I just had the same situation, although my check was from the end of 2005. The bank told me the check couldn't be cashed, nothing older than 6 months.

 

[poohandwendy]

I doubt you can cash it. Even though it's not marked, I *think* there is a 90 grace period for checks. Just call the back and ask.

 

[Poohnatic]

Anything over six months is considered 'stale dated' and can't be cashed.

Think about it this way-you wrote a check three years ago. Would you want it cashed when the person who lost it finally found it?

Suzanne

 

[poohandwendy]

LOL, it must be 180 days, going by what everyone else is posting. I knew there was a limit.

And Poohnatic is right, they have to put a limit for recordkeeping purposes of the person/business writing the check. The account that that rebate was written from is probably not even in existence anymore anyways.

 

[patrizella]

Let me first start off by telling you I have worked in a local, major credit union for over 8 years. Our CU's policy is that checks are "stale dated" or invaid after 6 months (unless otherwise stated-meaning an actual expiration date is listed). This is typically the rule of thumb, but the individual financial institution can have their policy set according to their risk assessment. Also, exceptions to rules can sometimes occur. In the case of your check, I would assume handling would go something like this....

Teller says cannot accept.

You ask to speak to a supervisor to see if an exception can be made.

Supervisor may say no off the bat-however they may want to look at your relationship with their organization I ,as a supervisor, may say yes, as an exception but I would ensure you understood that negoatiation of the check is a risk you are taking and if returned through the federal reserve system you would have to make restitiution for the amount of the check and any subsequent CU fees (our rate is $10 for a returned item). However, there are no guarantees.

It may not be worth it to go through all that.

You could always try to reach the rebate company that sent you the check and see if it can be reissued.

Good luck!!!!!

 

[patrizella]

I am not sure how the rebate companies set up their rebate accounts to disburse these rebate checks. However, you may consider that if this was a short term rebate being offered, then the rebate company may have closed the account they were using to issue the rebate checks. In this case the item would be sure to be returned to you. As a consumer, I would call the rebate company before heading to your CU/bank. That way you can feel comfortable depositing the check if an exception is made for you. I believe returned item charges can be up to $35 per item (I'm not 100% sure on this though).

Hope this helps.

 

[Good Ol Gal]

well someone just pooped at my party!

I called the issusing bank and they transerfered me to the correct dept.

They said that they no longer do business with the Co. that issued it, so I guess I am out of luck

I am usually so good at keeping track of these rebate things

 

[patrizella]

I'm so sorry for you!!!

After my big, long post-I saw your post.

Keeping looking through the clothes-maybe there is another one

 

[Good Ol Gal]

I'm so sorry for you!!!

After my big, long post-I saw your post.

Keeping looking through the clothes-maybe there is another one

Well I ended up calling the bank b/c of your post thanks