Hmmm... that check has already been cashed once !

[74-911]

Being an old coot, I balance my checkbook within a day or so of it being available. This morning I had a check on the bank statement that wasn't showing up in the outstanding checks on Quicken (which is not all that unusual).. until I noticed it was an old check number. Long story short, the check in question was written, cashed and reconciled last July.
Toddled off to the credit union.. they were a bit skeptical to say the least when I explained what happened until they checked and damn, you are right. Several calls to various supervisors, they will reimburse my account for the amount (< $100) which is fine but I want to know how this could happen? They are supposed to check with the co. that processes their checks and get back with me as I told them it didn't make for a lot of confidence in their check processing.

What I really want to know is how the check was cashed the first time.. had to be a phone app or ?? where they could cash it yet keep the physical check. This time It was physically presented by the person who cashed the check so is now out of circulation.

The person who cashed it is a good friend of my wife's and I think she probably cashed it last July, left it laying around, found it and assumed she forgot to cash it so cashed it again... we are all of that age i.e. it could happen. I will not bring it up with her, I got the money back, no harm, no foul except with the credit unions check processing. There is a gaping logic hole somewhere.

[sc_rufctr]

Proving it pays to check.

Imagine how many people don't check and get charged and it goes unnoticed!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by 74-911

The person who cashed it is a good friend of my wife's and I think she probably cashed it last July, left it laying around, found it and assumed she forgot to cash it so cashed it again... we are all of that age i.e. it could happen. I will not bring it up with her, I got the money back, no harm, no foul except with the credit unions check processing. There is a gaping logic hole somewhere.

If it's a good friend, and they think they have the <$100 in their account, but they don't, is there any chance they might end up bouncing another check or going overdraft? Also, if your bank goes after their bank who then charges something to them....

I know it would suck to say something, but it might also suck not to.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by masraum

If it's a good friend, and they think they have the <$100 in their account, but they don't, is there any chance they might end up bouncing another check or going overdraft? Also, if your bank goes after their bank who then charges something to them....

I know it would suck to say something, but it might also suck not to.

This.

My wife has a bad habit of waiting sometimes months to cash a check.

I keep telling her it's extremely rude and inconsiderate.

As far as mobile deposited checks, I immediately write on the back that it was deposited and on what date.

[Cooper911SC]

This is most likely due to "mobile banking". I have heard of this issue a couple of times.
Seems like the banks have an oversight in this area of security!!

Here's a personal experience.

I have a client/personal friend who paid to attend a PCA banquet in 2011. He subsequently had to cancel attendance.
The PCA region issued a $100.00 refund check in 2011 and he took a pic. and deposited "mobile".

He went through an ugly divorce 2011/2012 and short saled a home, moved etc.

2015 he opened a random box from the move and found an "old check". Took a pic. and deposited to his bank. (Chase). They submitted a 4 year old check and the PCA account paid out on it!! WTF!?

The only reason I am privy to all of this is that A) he's a personal client/friend and B) I happen to be part of that PCA board.
The PCA board contacted our bank and they basically said "not our problem, the check cleared" WHAT!!?? Did they not realize it was 4 years old?!

I was asked to reach out to my client and ask if he could please "refund" the already paid amount. ($100.00) in this case.

This seems like a major weak spot for modern "mobile" banking. All parties (including PCA CPA and Bank branches) were 'confused' about how the same [uncancled] check could be submitted 4 years apart.

Pretty lame if you ask me.
Most Payroll checks have a "Void after 60 days"

Further, I am a small business owner and have gotten grief over "un dated" or "illegible" or " not exact business name" type check deposits when handling transactions IN Person at my branch.

Kind of sad...

[Joe Bob]

I just signed up for "snap deposit" myself. USPS and the bank were taking close to ten business days to record a mailed check. The first thing I thought of was your scenario. I rarely write checks and I usually keep good track of the ones I do and/or deposit and when I miss one I start checking seldom used pockets.

In the past as an independent contract sports official I have had a few checks languish in a uniform jacket as I seldom use one, since I am in sunny So CA. BUT I always call the check issuer to let them know I am depositing a stale check. On occasion they would ask to send a replacement check and I would tear the old one up....after I got the new one.

In God I trust, all others....check in hand.

Good for you, catching that.

[74-911]

Originally Posted by masraum

If it's a good friend, and they think they have the <$100 in their account, but they don't, is there any chance they might end up bouncing another check or going overdraft? Also, if your bank goes after their bank who then charges something to them....

I know it would suck to say something, but it might also suck not to.

The money was deposited into her account both times and the CU is not going do anything re: the money as it was their fault, it should have been rejected as being already cashed. Now if the check had been for a couple of thousand $$$ it would be a different story me thinks .

Also, rather sure there is no danger of the friend bouncing a check over this. Wife thinks it best to just let it go as she is sure it was not intentional.

Still waiting to hear from the CU as to how this happened but they will probably just come back with "processing error" and drop it...

Anyway, fair warning to watch bank and credit card statements closely.

[GH85Carrera]

I also use Quicken for my personal checking account. I have been using it since the late 1980s when I installed it from 5.25 inch floppies. I download my accounts virtually every day. My checking, savings, credit card a two investment accounts. I noticed a $2.95 charge on my credit card I did not recognize at all. I called the credit card company and they said it was to some business I had never heard of. I heard more typing on a keyboard and she said "good catch" as it was a scam from some company overseas that hits a card with a small charge and if that goes through they know it is a valid CC number. They would hit my account with some larger transaction soon. She canceled that card and sent me a new one.

I love balancing my accounts at the first of each month in under 15 seconds.