What can happen if I deposited an old check that was under someone else’s name?

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What can happen if I deposited an old check that was under someone else’s name?

I found a check yesterday, and never thought I would actually be able to deposit it, is there a time limit for the person to report it? The check was 2 and 1/2 months old, and said he only had 90 days to claim it. Should I tell the bank or wait for the person to do something?

Asked on December 20, 2011 under Criminal Law, California

Answers:

FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

If you deposited a check under someone else's name made out to him or her and placed in that person's name where you did not receive the benefit of the check financially, then you did nothing wrong even though the check was two and a half years old.

If you placed this check in your own bank account, what you did is a wrongful act because the check was not made out to you nor was it for your benefit.

Even though the check had 90 days to claim it for the person to whom it was made out to, it was fine to deposit it into the person's account to whom it was made out to if that is what you did.


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