Friend of mine just called and said he just received a certified check via UPS from a culinary arts institute. he is not a chef, not in food industry, and has absolutely no clue why this check came to him. He is out of school and has not applied for any scholarships of any type.

it has his name on it and all the watermarks. And we both figured that anything that was a fake check or other BS would have came directly through the mail.

A. anybody ever heard of this

B. what next?

4/28/2008 10:38:06 AM

does it say anything like "THIS IS NOT A FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT" or something on it

or does it say anything about you accepting some sort of terms if you endorse the check


otherwise go cash that mofo

4/28/2008 10:39:13 AM

have him sign it over to me and i'll look into it

4/28/2008 10:50:36 AM

how about he calls them and asks?

4/28/2008 10:52:20 AM

it's almost certainly some kind of loan or line of credit. If he cashes it, he may have unwittingly enrolled himself in culinary school or something, or is now roped into paying the entire thing back at 19% interest

4/28/2008 11:10:23 AM

^bingo

4/28/2008 11:17:26 AM

Quote :

"he may have unwittingly enrolled himself in culinary school or something"

lol

4/28/2008 11:35:44 AM

Don't just cash that shit without knowing what you are getting yourself into. Checks are formal/legal documents and any loan solicitations are valid binding agreements. Calling the number on the check/letter doesn't always help as they are often legitimate numbers to companies and such.

However, if the sender hasn't asked for any money/info. back, I'd be a little suspicious. I mean, money doesn't just magically come to you without you having done something for it. Do some investigating. Try to contact the financial institution to verify the check and do make sure that it is a valid check (valid accounts) with funds to cover it. Also make sure there isn't a stop/hold placed on the check. It could be the check was sent to you in error and was intended for someone else. If everything checks out though, I'd deposit the check and have a 12 business day hold (or at least keep $2500 in your account and DON'T touch it during that time). The last thing you want to do is find out you have you have to pay the money back and not have it because you spent it.

4/28/2008 11:46:05 AM

Fuck that, cash it, go to AC, have a crazy 1 night bender with booze, women, and gambling.

4/28/2008 12:41:55 PM

Quote :

"Calling the number on the check/letter doesn't always help as they are often legitimate numbers to companies and such. "

Let me clerify on that. Scammers will include valid company names/numbers so that in the event you do call. Often times, the company is not aware of the scam and most times can not validate the check they "supposedly" sent you. At best, they tell you to just contact the financial institution to verify.

4/28/2008 12:55:32 PM

Is it drawn on a bank with a local branch?

4/28/2008 12:59:54 PM

if it is a real check, and they fucked up, and your friend cashes it, when he gets caught, he'll be charged with some type of fraud and have to pay it back. I'd call the institute and see what's up

if its a scam, I hope you friend knows what to do

[Edited on April 28, 2008 at 1:12 PM. Reason : .]

4/28/2008 1:11:52 PM

4/28/2008 4:38:23 PM

Quote :

"Scammers will include valid company names/numbers so that in the event you do call."

That or the much easier approach of them giving some number where the scammers actually answer and pretend to be whatever company it is. You're sure to get nothing but good advice from calling that number.

4/28/2008 4:50:42 PM

Have you tried googling the name of the school or anything to see if anyone else has gotten a check like this?

[Edited on April 28, 2008 at 5:17 PM. Reason : ]

4/28/2008 5:17:39 PM

^^ bingo. I couldn't word it, but you said it for me

4/28/2008 5:24:32 PM

I googled "$2500 check scam" and found this:

http://www.edgefielddaily.com/edgefield103107_1.html

4/28/2008 5:25:55 PM

yeah he found out it was a scam

a very legit looking check though

Culinary institute of America

Bank of New York Mellon

4/28/2008 8:06:40 PM

haha CIA is baller tho

4/29/2008 9:37:14 PM

$10

4/30/2008 11:35:09 AM

So what happens if you take that check to one of those check cashing places, cash it, then leave?

4/30/2008 1:32:14 PM

they come after you for the money.

4/30/2008 1:38:39 PM

i just got this too

4/30/2008 10:37:28 PM