Nobody is going to send you a check if you are not a customer or employee of the company
Do not call any number on the check. Look on Google or call directory assistance and find the real phone number of the company or person whose name is on the check. If it's a company, call the main number and ask to speak to the accounting department. Tell them you got a check, give them the check number, and say that you don't know why you got it as you have no business with them. They can look it up in their system and tell you why you got the check, or if someone has counterfeited or stolen their checks
Also as Biff says, a lot of these unsolicited checks are also high interest short term loans. By cashing it you are agreeing to pay them back. 14 days after you cash it you will get a letter demanding immediate repayment of double the amount and will be charged a late fee for every day late you are in paying
One possibility they get your bank account number off the canceled check, more likely if it's a very small amount.
Not sure if you might pay bounce fees if it's counterfeit, banks forward money on checks before they clear the issuer bank, don't spend the cash right away,
If you want to know if the check is real and if it’s a legitimate payment then you should go directly to your bank and ask them. They will tell you if the check is real and if it’s safe to cash it. There are checks sent from real routing numbers than can be cashed legally but are fraudulent. If you do cash those checks you’ll be fined or have to return the money. I suggest you ask your bank representative to verify it.
Nobody sends free money in the mail. It's a loan and a scam. No question.
if you were not expecting it, don;t deposit it - it might be a scam and accepting it could trigger a high interest loan or something - call the company
Go to your bank and see if they will cash it.
Keep it
