Lost check - wwyd?

[teller80]

I made a check out to our son's boy scout troop and I lost it. It's for $100.

Would you cancel the check? Who else can cash it? It's made out to Troop ###, would a bank cash it? Thanks for your advice!

 

[clh2]

I probably would not. Check cancellation fees at our bank are in the range of $30-40. (Sorry - I don't have a fee schedule handy ) The fees are outrageous IMHO, and really are meant to discourage people cancelling without thinking hard about it, and geared for the "really big" checks.

The other reason - when you cancel a check - it is only for a certain time period, so if the time period is past - the check can then be cashed.

And...technically - it should only be "the troop" that can cash the check.

 

[happygirl]

If it me I would close my account, If someone found that check they have your account number and routing number.

Also, when you cancel a check it cancelled it not a matter of time then the check good again

 

[DizMe]

Call your bank and tell them what happened. They may cancel the check as a courtesy (mine did this) or offer another suggestion.

 

[OklahomaTourist]

Checks are only valid generally for six months from the date posted on the check. After that, they become "stale" and are not supposed to be honored.

I would be much more concerned, frankly, about the check being in the hands of someone who now knows your bank, your home address, and your checking account number. The ugly, pain-in-the-tukuss extreme is to close that account, unless you think perhaps the check might have been destroyed, eg in a washing machine (left in a pocket) or bundled up in some trash making its discovery somewhat less likely.

Stop payment is the best short-term solution insofar as it at least mitigates the risk from the $100 check, but if you really don't know what happened to it I would start monitoring my credit report very carefully for suspicious activity. Hate to sound paranoid, but having gone through a minor hassle with some fraudulent credit cards a while back, can only offer that being diligent is your best defense.

Good luck.