Is it legal to cash a payroll check from a company that i do not work for?

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Is it legal to cash a payroll check from a company that i do not work for?

I applied for a position at a company and never accepted a position with them. I
have never put in any work hours for them at all. They have sent me paychecks for
20-25 hours of work each week for the last 3 weeks. When i received the first
check i called that companies payroll department and told them it was an error.
They didn’t resolve the issue and told me they would get back to me. It has been
2 weeks since then and have received 2 more checks since. It is a major company
not a scam.

Asked on September 25, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, Connecticut

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 5 years ago | Contributor

Eventually, they almost certainly will figure it out. When they do, they will ask for their money back. When they do that, if you don't repay it, they can--and likely will--sue you for the money. Don't cash or deposit the checks: you don't have a right in the law to money sent you by mistake, and if you cash or deposit then can't repay on demand (e.g. you spend it), you will face legal liability.


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