# PA sent me $$. Why? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 6, 2018, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-sent-me-why/811921 "2018-04-06T13:27:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-sent-me-why/811921/21 "2018-04-09T19:51:02Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > No idea how that would possibly work. At the bank, I’ll hand it to the teller and she’ll\*\*\*\*\* give me cash. > > \*\*\*\*\*Andrea. I always go to the same teller, as she is married to my friend’s nephew. That sounds a lot like the Money Order Scam - you offer something for sale, somebody offers to pay you with a money order but it’s for more than the item is worth, so you cash it, send the buyer the difference along with the item…and a few weeks later, you get a call from your bank saying that the money order was fake, and since they can’t find the person that created it, you are responsible for repaying the full amount. My gut response is, cash it, then hold onto the money for a while to see if the check raised any alarm bells. First, make sure that if there is any address on the check, it is legitimate; otherwise, the scammers have your signature as well. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-sent-me-why/811921/22 "2018-04-09T19:57:52Z")
Since you’re going to see your accountant in the next few days, why not just hang onto the check and show it to him/her when you stop by the office? Better safe than sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-sent-me-why/811921/23 "2018-04-09T20:06:07Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > Your bank routing number is on every check you write, clearly visible to every cashier. So is your account number, your signature specimen, and probably your DL or SS number., address and phone number. Right, lol. I was thinking by cashing a fake check you might be giving someone a back-door invite into your account that would not otherwise be there in a normal exchange. I don’t know how that would work either, just throwing it out there…“By signing and cashing this (fake) check, you agree to the terms and conditions of blah, blah…” ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-sent-me-why/811921/24 "2018-04-10T00:12:09Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > MA told him to. For the win! ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-sent-me-why/811921/25 "2018-04-10T10:56:05Z")
Well, my accountant called yesterday. My taxes are ready for my signature. I have an appointment tonight, so I’ll show her the check and see what she thinks. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-sent-me-why/811921/26 "2018-04-10T11:49:53Z")
Do tell. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-sent-me-why/811921/27 "2018-04-10T12:35:54Z")
> [@Uncommon\_Sense](#): > > Is it possible that if you try to cash the check someone could end up with your bank routing number or some other info that could be used against you? > [@kayaker](#): > > No idea how that would possibly work. At the bank, I’ll hand it to the teller and she’ll\*\*\*\*\* give me cash. > > \*\*\*\*\*Andrea. I always go to the same teller, as she is married to my friend’s nephew. If I write you a check, all I would have to do is wait for it to clear my bank and your account/routing info will be on the back of it. But if I wanted to do that, I probably wouldn’t use a check for almost $400. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-sent-me-why/811921/28 "2018-04-11T05:36:18Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Well, my accountant called yesterday. My taxes are ready for my signature. I have an appointment tonight, so I’ll show her the check and see what she thinks. So, what happened? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-sent-me-why/811921/29 "2018-04-11T11:01:54Z")
Well, that was a total surprise. My accountant was puzzled. She pulled out last year’s return and could find no explanation. She is certain the check is _real_, but she suggested I contact the State Treasury to find out what it is for. She also took pictures of the check with her phone.😕 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-sent-me-why/811921/30 "2018-04-11T15:23:51Z")
So, I have an answer. I spent 45 minutes on hold (April is the wrong time to call the state treasury). I spoke with a woman who at first had no idea what the check could be for. She eventually went through my data and found that the refund was for an error that occurred in 2016 (or before that). She was funny. Once she figured it out, she asked if she could have the money if she guessed the amount correctly (then she did). She told me I was the first “good news” she delivered this week. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-sent-me-why/811921/31 "2018-04-11T16:02:42Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Well, that was a total surprise. > > My accountant was puzzled. She pulled out last year’s return and could find no explanation. She is certain the check is _real_, but she suggested I contact the State Treasury to find out what it is for. She also took pictures of the check with her phone.😕 Plot Twist, your accounted deposited the check into her own account when she ‘took a picture’ of it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-sent-me-why/811921/32 "2018-04-11T16:16:06Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Plot Twist, your accounted deposited the check into her own account when she ‘took a picture’ of it. 🙂 Nah, I have the check and will cash it shortly. Anyone in the area wanna do lunch?🙂 ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-sent-me-why/811921/33 "2018-04-11T16:33:10Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Nah, I have the check and will cash it shortly. Anyone in the area wanna do lunch?🙂 Dinner at Mallorca and I’m in! ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-sent-me-why/811921/34 "2018-04-11T16:36:48Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Dinner at Mallorca and I’m in! OMG, that’s one of my favorite places in Pittsburgh. (and I could spend the majority of the check there)🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-sent-me-why/811921/35 "2018-04-11T17:27:04Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > OMG, that’s one of my favorite places in Pittsburgh. (and I could spend the majority of the check there)🙂 We ----------- we could spend the whole check there. 😃 Actually lunch some day sounds like a plan but I’ll even offer to go Dutch. Some day at that joint on 8 up near McBride’s Station or somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-sent-me-why/811921/36 "2018-04-11T17:27:55Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > OMG, that’s one of my favorite places in Pittsburgh. (and I could spend the majority of the check there)🙂 Ditto- when I lived in Pgh that was one of our special restaurants, that we couldn’t afford but went to anyway. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-sent-me-why/811921/37 "2018-04-11T18:45:46Z")
Glad to hear that it was legitimate! Whatever you do with it, enjoy the surprise money. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-sent-me-why/811921.md?page=1)