"Lost" check was deposited/cashed by someone. What to do?

[slayer202]

My landlord says he never received my check last month. My account says it was deposited. Scanned check shows no endorsement or stamps etc. I'm fairly certain (not 100%) that it was deposited the day after I dropped it in a mailbox after business hours so it seems unlikely that it would have even made it to the recipient in time to deposit.

Chase has been quite unhelpful. After being transferred around to four different people I was told I'd have to file a claim which would take 30-90 business days if the money went into a Chase account, 90-120 if not. I have to fill out this form, get the intended recipient's info/signature, and have my signature notarized. How convenient. And in the meantime I guess I gotta pay that month's rent again. What about people who can't afford to do that? Ugh

Is there anything else I can/should be doing? Cops? Seems like a similar waste of time. But I know for sure this will be the last time I mail a physical check

 

[deadlyapp]

You should be able to report it to the post office as mail fraud. They have their own enforcement group believe it or not.

I don't worry too much about my mail, but I definitely drop off checks at PO mailing boxes.

 

[Thebobo]

Well the bank should have a record of whom they paid it out to no?

 

[highland145]

Didn't we have a thread a while back that was similar but the landlord was the issue?


And screw Chase. I really like dealing with local people. Took me 2 weeks to get my $$ back on a debit fraud.

 

[slayer202]

Well the bank should have a record of whom they paid it out to no?

You would think so....they told me no, but I might try going to a local branch. I trust the landlord though, so seeing where it went might not be too useful

You should be able to report it to the post office as mail fraud. They have their own enforcement group believe it or not.

I don't worry too much about my mail, but I definitely drop off checks at PO mailing boxes.

The USPS might be the worst organization in the world to deal with

 

[highland145]

The USPS might be the worst organization in the world to deal with

Side story. Used to use their mailing system for my solicitation. One day, my mailing list is gone. Call them, too bad, so sad. Called my wife who was working for a congressman at the time. She gave me some district person's #. A short time later, the 1st person I talked with called me back and had found my mailing list. Assholes.

 

[slayer202]

Haha sounds about right. I think I know someone at Chase who I might try calling

 

[FeuerFrei]

Share the story with your landlord. Maybe even pay a joint visit to the bank with him. Bank may not tell YOU who deposited it, but they can inform you of fraud. Since this involves mail, you can get the Postal Inspector involved.
Ask landlord for a grace period, due to extenuating circumstance. Or live on the street until you earn more money.

 

[slayer202]

share the story with my landlord, that's great advice