brandymac27 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Ok, so yesterday after lunch my doorbell rings and it's our mailman. He hands me an express mail envelope and I sign for it (I'm not expecting anything from anyone). So I open it up, and there's a check in it for $2657.00. That's it, just a check in an envelope. No letter, no check stub, or any kind of explanation/instructions as to why I'm getting this check. Of course I immediately thought it was fishy that someone is sending me (correct name, address, phone#, etc) a check for no reason at all. (This check that I got is from a company called Erosion Pros, Inc. out of Discovery Bay, CA. The bank the check is drawn on is Fremont Bank in Livermore, CA) Well, I couldn't understand why I was getting this check, and I know there are a ton of scams going on, so I googled Fremont Bank and got their phone number off of their website. When I called I did a merchant verification to see if the check was real and if there are enough funds to cover the check and there are. I then called back the same phone# and talked to a CSR and told them what was going on. He verified that the check was good. I asked him if this could be a scam and he said there was no fraudulent activity being noted on this particular account. After I hung up w/ him, I googled check scams. Everything I saw said something about how you get a check in the mail (sometimes for no apparent reason) and these people want you to cash it and wire the money somewhere. The problem with my situation is that nobody wants me to wire anything anywhere. Nobody sent me a letter, email, or gave me a phone call to say, "Cash the check and wire this amount etc". So, I'm wondering if this is a scam, what are the scammers getting out of this? They didn't tell me to wire cash anywhere, so what would they benefit from it? I guess the point of this is to ask what you all think about this. I verified that the check is good by calling the bank (from the website phone # and NOT the one on the check just to be safe), and nobody wants me to do anything as far as sending anyone any money. I just don't know why I got this check. I've been trying to think back to months or years ago trying to see if anyone owes me money and I just can't remember. So, should I cash it or what? So far, everything checks out as being real. Also, this check looks real too. There are watermarks on it and other security features. The only problem is that the company phone number that's listed on the check just keeps ringing and ringing. Nobody ever answers it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubbs Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Also, this check looks real too. There are watermarks on it and other security features. The only problem is that the company phone number that's listed on the check just keeps ringing and ringing. Nobody ever answers it. That's ****ing weird. If I were you, I'd open up a separate checking account at a different bank and deposit it there. If nothing happens for a week or so, I think you've stumbled into the best luck ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forehead Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Well, from your story, they apparently have your name/address/phone number, which isn't good, because it means they know where to find you. I'd be wary, but I'm always suspicious of things like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveMason Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Does the check have exclamation points all over it? ...can you use one of those check-cashing services where you pay a fee and get the cash right there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickalino Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Take it to your local Secret Service office and have them look at it to determine if it's counterfeit or real. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Titaw Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I'd either do #1) new checking/savings account or #2) Check cashing service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elessar78 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 call Clark Howard (404) 892-8227 or go to his website clarkhoward.com He has one of those consumer rights advocates radio shows. He always has people calling in about possible scams and what not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USS Redskins Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Seems logical to Call The company and ask them why they sent you a check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 There is no extra wording on the check or endorsement line? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenaa Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I can't find any public listing for that company in Discovery Bay, CA. There does seem to be such a company in Auburn, AL. For it to be a scam, you would have to deposit in your account, immediately withdraw the funds and wire the money. Then, when the check bounces, you're on the hook for the funds. Was the CSR able to verify if the account was as listed on the check? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandymac27 Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 Does the check have exclamation points all over it?...can you use one of those check-cashing services where you pay a fee and get the cash right there? No exclamation points. It looks exactly like a regular business check. I looked at my husbands business checks and they are identical except for the business and bank info. I tried to call Wal Mart check cash to ask, but they wont cash business or payroll checks over $1500. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandymac27 Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 Seems logical to Call The company and ask them why they sent you a check. I did. The number on the check keeps ringing and ringing. Nobody ever answers it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbooma Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Is there anything on the description line or fine writing on the back?? In the past companies would send this out and if you cashed it it would trigger a loan you would have to pay back. For those I believe they would have to have more information on it. Maybe its your lucky day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandymac27 Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 There is no extra wording on the check or endorsement line? Nope. All it says in the endorsement area is: WARNING Do not cash this check without noting security features. NOTE: To verify authenticity set scanner settings to 300 DPI black white bitmap with NTSC range between 140-160 to view hidden word "valid." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandymac27 Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 I can't find any public listing for that company in Discovery Bay, CA. There does seem to be such a company in Auburn, AL. For it to be a scam, you would have to deposit in your account, immediately withdraw the funds and wire the money. Then, when the check bounces, you're on the hook for the funds. Was the CSR able to verify if the account was as listed on the check? Yes, he also verified the company name and account number on the check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCSaints_fan Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I can't find any public listing for that company in Discovery Bay, CA. There does seem to be such a company in Auburn, AL. I've heard of Fremont, they used to be a sub-prime lending company. They went out of business a couple years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandymac27 Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 Well, from your story, they apparently have your name/address/phone number, which isn't good, because it means they know where to find you.I'd be wary, but I'm always suspicious of things like that. I know. The whole thing is really weird. I don't know what to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrockster21 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Seems logical to Call The company and ask them why they sent you a check. Ding! Does the number match this: Erosion Pros Inc - Looks like an environmental engineering company. Are either you or your husband in that type of field? Address: 4265 Camino De Abro Byron, CA, 94514-7627 Phone: 925-516-8966 If not, try that number. If I understand the law correctly, even if they give you the check, if you cash it when its not your money, its still considered theirs, and if they discover their error and contact you, you have to give them the $2600 back. Just like if you find a big bag of money on the ground, its not yours until its gone unclaimed for 30 days. Don't know if there's a statute of limitations on this sort of thing, but its possible. More info: http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_jrhf7c Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrockster21 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Its also possible that since they are an environmental engineering company, they could have hired a consultant, or possibly a contractor with you or your husband's name (whoever the check is made out too). Then someone goofed and sent the check to the wrong person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandymac27 Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 Ding!Does the number match this: Erosion Pros Inc - Looks like an environmental engineering company. Are either you or your husband in that type of field? Address: 4265 Camino De Abro Byron, CA, 94514-7627 Phone: 925-516-8966 If not, try that number. If I understand the law correctly, even if they give you the check, if you cash it when its not your money, its still considered theirs, and if they discover their error and contact you, you have to give them the $2600 back. Just like if you find a big bag of money on the ground, its not yours until its gone unclaimed for 30 days. Don't know if there's a statute of limitations on this sort of thing, but its possible. More info: http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_jrhf7c Ok, the number on the check is different from the number you found. Also, my husband is in construction (brick masonry), but I'm not. I'm a chemist and I work in a pharma lab. Don't know what either of those has to do with environmental engineering. Ok, I just called the number you posted (got answering service b/c it's early in Cali) but they're a stormwater compliance company. I'm gonna call them later and tell them what's going on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandymac27 Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 Its also possible that since they are an environmental engineering company, they could have hired a consultant, or possibly a contractor with you or your husband's name (whoever the check is made out too). Then someone goofed and sent the check to the wrong person. The thing is, my name is not affiliated with my husbands business at all. If this scenario is what actually happened, I would think they would have sent the check to my husband instead of me. Plus, I talked to my husband about all this and he hasn't had contact w/ anyone in any kind of storm water compliance or environmental engineering business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I_Bleed_B&G Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 If there is a fremont branch where you live, take it there and cash it. j/k. its probably best to hold on to it and really find out why they sent it to you. Like someone said earlier, if they find that they made a mistake and you cashed it, they'll want that money back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elessar78 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 what about this. Put it in a short term CD and let it earn interest. If they catch it stall until the CD matures and collect interest on their money. haha. It won't be much, but whatev. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buenosdiaz Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 surprised 2 pages have passed and nobody has said this... it was obama duh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HogNose Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Don't cash the check and get yourself in deep kimchi....it's a scam. Call your local news and let them investigate or take it to the bank and let them look, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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