Cap 1 sent me a check for $1900 and can't tell me why!

[ozgirl]

Today I opened my mailbox and found an "expense check" from Cap 1 for approx $1900. THere is no account number associated with it or any explanation letter. I called Cap1 and they cannot find any association between this check and my credit card account. I did have a charged off account which I paid in full (for about $1600) back in July. Nobody can tell me anything! I have given them the check number/invoice number and any number I can find on the check to no avail. I keep getting put on hold and told they are transferring me to another dept.

Any suggestions? The check expires in 90 days...maybe I should hold on to it until the 88th day or so and see if anyone bothers to contact me regarding the check (ha ha)

[Anonymous]

Do NOT cash this check.

It sounds to me like a cash advance scheme. Is there any verbage regarding paying it back? Also, on the back where one would typically endorse the check is there any fine print stating that by depositing or cashing this check you are obligating yourself to something?

If no to all of the above, they may have an employee who gets reimbursed for expenditures, and they may have sent it to you in error. They deposited +$600 into my checking account many months after I left the company, so mistakes do happen...

[sunrise]

An expense check?  Could they have somehow gotten your acct. tangled in with an employees business expense reimbursement?  That is all I can come up with?!  Try to get in contact with their employee payroll dept.  Have them cross reference the check there.  You may just have the wrong department checking on it.  Have other depts. cross-reference it also.

You can pretty well bet though, that an audit will find it!!  I am sure ccc's do audits quite frequently!

I would hang on to it, though!  I wouldn't deposit it either, although I would be tempted!

Another suggestion...tear it up and toss it in the garbage!  You know it isn't yours, you don't have to waste your time investigating their mistake.  If they eventually trace it to you..tell them it has been shredded!  You have already made your goodwill attempts to get it straightened out.

Hmmmmm, now that I think about it....maybe deposit it, if they never catch it...good for you...if they do catch it...tell them you thought it was a refund for an overpayment of somesort?! Be prepared to give it back, though!! Just throwing darts in the dark, here!!

You are in a peculiar position.  These are just some of my suggestions!!  Hope others have more for ya!   

[sunrise]

To be "safe"...I'd listen to Tex!!  But, I do "like" my suggestions, heehee

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't touch that check with a 10 foot pole.

It DOES sound like a cash advance check to me. Chances are if you'd cash it, you'd wind up owing that money PLUS interest.

Was there ANY supporting documentation that came with the check?

Talking to the payroll dept. is a good idea, but I'd take it one step further. If it were me I would call their Fraud Dept as well: 800-427-9428

Also talking to an account specialist wouldn't hurt either: 800-889-9939

This may be overkill but it's your credit you are dealing with.

Please keep us posted, and good luck.

[maxq]

you got your responses here, just agreeing that you shouldn't do anything with it...are you sure it's not one of those advance checks that you can use up to your CL? crap1 is famous for sending those... just be careful...

[ozgirl]

I am very certain this is not one of those "courtesy" checks etc..it appears to be a bonafide expense check--like you would receive from your employer. I think I will try your suggestion and call account specialist. I definitely do not want to negotiate it. I just find it kind of creepy that they could possibly make such a large error

[maxq]

yeah scary....i think these companies make mistakes like this everyday...we just don't hear about it...i have a relative that works for a major bank and sometimes they catch these things before they go out the door, before statements go out, or before the reporting for the month is posted...but then sometimes the mistake comes out....

[Anonymous]

Wamu sends me a check for 3k about once a month; it's a cash advance check. If i had to hazard a guess i'd say yours is a cash advance check as well. either that or they have mixed you up with an other account.

Either way you know you are not owed an "expense check" from them so why would you cash it? They would eventually find the mistake and ask you for the money back asap possibly with interest.

[Anonymous]

As usual I volunteer to test it out for you.
Give me the check and I will cash it.
I will take all the responsibility of your check.
I will spoend it on something nice.
Maybe even get you something.
I know, it's a hard job but someone has to do it

Seriously, it's a cash advance most likely, I used to get those when I had their card. Ignore it, shred it, burn it. Unless you really are in need but most people aren't in need of a cash advance of that size. But you have to know the consequences and interest and all that. Probably close to 30% of it's CapOne.

Message Edited by EddieX on 01-15-2008 11:27 AM