# Woman finds bag of cash - turns it into the Bank **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 20, 2013, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-finds-bag-of-cash-turns-it-into-the-bank/661453 "2013-06-20T12:19:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-finds-bag-of-cash-turns-it-into-the-bank/661453/1 "2013-06-20T12:19:55Z")
A woman (unemployed school teacher) found a bag in the road with two “huge bundles of hundred dollar bills, wrapped in rubber bands” inside. The bag was in the middle of the road, getting run over by traffic. The bag has the logo of Chase Bank on it, so she takes it to a local branch. She doesn’t count the money, but tells the bank manager there must be $200,000, the manager agrees, “maybe more”. The bank later says there was “maybe $20,000” in the bag, gives the lady who found it a “thank you” and a $500 gift card and won’t say anything else. Now, something seems fishy, here. As far as I know, the bank would wrap the bills in paper wraps (not rubber bands). I think a stack of 50 bills would be about a half inch in thickness, so two stacks totaling $20,000 would be two one inch tall stacks. Not exactly “huge”. For $200,000, that would be two 10 inch tall stacks, definitely “huge”. Now, I wouldn’t expect a layman to be able to judge this just by looking at it, but a bank manager should and not estimate an amount as being over $200,000 when it actually was around one tenth that. IMO, the finder should have taken the money to a lawyer, so it could be documented and given to the police. With a lawyer involved, it would be less likely to “change in value” and they would be more likely actually try and find the rightful owner. By giving the money to the bank, of course the bank is going to say, “yeah, it’s mine, thanks” and shut the door, which is what they did. Oh, link > **[Good Samaritan turns in bag of cash found in road](https://theeagle.com/news/local/article_84cd60e4-95b7-543d-8982-3abe1365f3c6.html)** > > Countless cars passed by, but Candace Scott pulled over. excavating (for a mind) ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-finds-bag-of-cash-turns-it-into-the-bank/661453/2 "2013-06-20T12:58:07Z")
Eh. “Huge” is a bit ambiguous. To someone who has never handled much cash, a couple 1 inch stacks of hundreds could be pretty amazing. Back when I handled cash at a bank, we used rubber bands. The paper-wrapped stacks only come that way from the Fed. So, once given to a teller and counted, the paper bands are gone. Deposits going from customer to teller to vault to Fed are rubber banded. We rubber banded in the same amounts the Fed did, so one stack of banded hundreds would be $10,000. A “brick” of hundreds would be 10 stacks, each individually banded, and then one big rubber band around the brick. The Fed shrink-wraps the bricks. Transferring cash from one branch to another would only have rubber banded bills if it was previously handled money, and two bricks would not fit into a gallon baggie. I can imagine the bank would not want any further information given out so as not to compromise their method of “courier” or give anyone ideas about how much they could be robbed for, since it sounds like it wasn’t an armored vehicle the money was “dropped” from! ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-finds-bag-of-cash-turns-it-into-the-bank/661453/3 "2013-06-20T12:59:57Z")
Is someone who find money like this legally bound to return it? ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-finds-bag-of-cash-turns-it-into-the-bank/661453/4 "2013-06-20T13:03:42Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > Is someone who find money like this legally bound to return it? If it’s just lost and not abandoned, probably (depending on jurisdiction and with some exceptions). > **[Lost, mislaid, and abandoned property](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost,_mislaid,_and_abandoned_property)** > > In property law, lost, mislaid, and abandoned property are categories of the common law of property which deals with personal property or chattel which has left the possession of its rightful owner without having directly entered the possession of another person. Property can be considered lost, mislaid, or abandoned depending on the circumstances under which it is found by the next party who obtains its possession. > An old saying is that "possession is nine-tenths of the law", dating back centur... ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-finds-bag-of-cash-turns-it-into-the-bank/661453/5 "2013-06-20T13:06:58Z")
Regardless of whether or not you keep or return the money you should take the time to **count the friggin money**. She is stupid and her apparently her husband, mother, and teenage daughter are too. Count the money, photograph the same and then report it to the police. You can then stop by the bank and tell them that you recovered what appears to be their cash and they will then have the opportunity to prove to the law that the money is legally theirs. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-finds-bag-of-cash-turns-it-into-the-bank/661453/6 "2013-06-20T13:13:33Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > Is someone who find money like this legally bound to return it? That’s a good question. I don’t know the real legal answer to this, but I can tell you that unless the finder is OK with keeping it as mattress money and keeping it in the house, they pretty much have to come up with how they got it if they try to deposit it. Cash deposits of $10,000 and up have to be accompanied by an IRS form filled out by the depositor. Unless you can come up with a really good cover story and possibly documentation to back it up (like a death certificate if you claim it was in a shoebox from your recently deceased grandma), the IRS is going to come knocking and at the very least tax you on it. “I found it” isn’t really going to fly. Banks also pay attention to large cash deposits in personal accounts even when they’re under $10,000, large personal cash deposits are very unusual. So, the other alternative would be to, well, start your own business and launder it (not recommended). Handing it over to the police or the bank would probably be the least troublesome thing to do, it wouldn’t be worth the headache to me. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-finds-bag-of-cash-turns-it-into-the-bank/661453/7 "2013-06-20T13:14:28Z")
> [@](#): > > “It’s just a very strange thing – almost like something divine caused it to happen,” Scott said. “Maybe it’s a sign my luck is changing.” **Something Devine** : Here’s some money Candace Scott. Use it for your family. Good luck! **Candace Scott** : \ My luck must be changing! **Something Devine** : :smack:… I give up. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-finds-bag-of-cash-turns-it-into-the-bank/661453/8 "2013-06-20T13:31:29Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > …unless the finder is OK with keeping it as mattress money and keeping it in the house, they pretty much have to come up with how they got it if they try to deposit it. Why not a safety deposit box? An extra hundred every trip to the grocery, or to buy clothing or pay for car/home repairs. I could see that coming in handy. Have to admit, unlike the woman in the story, it would have at least “crossed my mind.” ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-finds-bag-of-cash-turns-it-into-the-bank/661453/9 "2013-06-20T14:02:32Z")
Fortune is wasted on the stupid. ---
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-finds-bag-of-cash-turns-it-into-the-bank/661453/10 "2013-06-20T14:34:20Z")
There is no way I’m turning that money in. 200k would make things a lot easier around here. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-finds-bag-of-cash-turns-it-into-the-bank/661453/11 "2013-06-20T14:39:12Z")
I’m always on the lookout for large bags of cash. So far, no luck. ---
**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:** [June 20, 2013, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-finds-bag-of-cash-turns-it-into-the-bank/661453/12 "2013-06-20T14:44:12Z")
I am not an attorney, but hey. . .finders keepers. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-finds-bag-of-cash-turns-it-into-the-bank/661453/13 "2013-06-20T14:49:08Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I am not an attorney, but hey. . .finders keepers. Yes with the important legal corollary, “losers weepers.” ---
**Author:** ![Vita\_Beata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@Vita\_Beata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vita_Beata)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-finds-bag-of-cash-turns-it-into-the-bank/661453/14 "2013-06-20T14:59:16Z")
Bags of cash on road in Texas? My thought process: open bag, view thick bundles of cash, calculate nearest Neiman Marcus or Horschow store, speed off in that direction. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-finds-bag-of-cash-turns-it-into-the-bank/661453/15 "2013-06-20T15:02:50Z")
Without making any moral judgments… if you should decide to keep it, first… don’t tell anyone. Next, peel off two or three of those $100’s and run over to Lowe’s and pick up a home safe. Put the money in, and from there on whenever you would normally run to the ATM, use your bank card, etc. just pull a bill or two out of the safe and you are essentially “depositing” the money into your account by not spending it from the account. Anything big, go ahead and use the normal money in your account and it won’t draw any attention. Sure, you won’t gain interest in the whole amount at first, but the money you would normally have withdrawn will gain interest. Not as good of a return, but almost no chance of getting caught. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-finds-bag-of-cash-turns-it-into-the-bank/661453/16 "2013-06-20T15:12:47Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > Without making any moral judgments… if you should decide to keep it, first… don’t tell anyone. Next, peel off two or three of those $100’s and run over to Lowe’s and pick up a home safe. Put the money in, and from there on whenever you would normally run to the ATM, use your bank card, etc. just pull a bill or two out of the safe and you are essentially “depositing” the money into your account by not spending it from the account. Anything big, go ahead and use the normal money in your account and it won’t draw any attention. > > Sure, you won’t gain interest in the whole amount at first, but the money you would normally have withdrawn will gain interest. Not as good of a return, but almost no chance of getting caught. Unless the bills are marked in some fashion - if it was cash from a drug sting - dumped because its not spendable, you may be explaining to the court what happened to the Lindbergh baby. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-finds-bag-of-cash-turns-it-into-the-bank/661453/17 "2013-06-20T15:25:55Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > Unless the bills are marked in some fashion - if it was cash from a drug sting - dumped because its not spendable, you may be explaining to the court what happened to the Lindbergh baby. Maybe I’m naive, but if I spend $300 at Lowe’s to buy the safe, and it gets put in the till, it probably doesn’t get to a bank until it is bundled with all of the other sales of the day/week. In a large metro area we’re talking thousands and thousands each time the Brink’s truck picks up. Same with the grocery store, etc. Do the banks even scan them? I would think that the best they could do is narrow it down to the area/city, but as long as you don’t make a habit of spending them at the exact same place on the exact same day of the week I think the risk is very small. ---
**Author:** ![Tess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@Tess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tess)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-finds-bag-of-cash-turns-it-into-the-bank/661453/18 "2013-06-20T15:30:59Z")
> [@panaccione](#): > > There is no way I’m turning that money in. 200k would make things a lot easier around here. Whereas I wouldn’t hesitate to turn that $50k over to the bank. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-finds-bag-of-cash-turns-it-into-the-bank/661453/19 "2013-06-20T15:35:39Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > Unless the bills are marked in some fashion - if it was cash from a drug sting - dumped because its not spendable, you may be explaining to the court what happened to the Lindbergh baby. Yup. Found money of questionable origin is the plot of the film “A Simple Plan.” After watching it, my husband and I decided that if we found money similarly, we would leave it where it was and attempt to get out of there unnoticed. The money could also be counterfeit. Go on a nice spending spree and the Secret Service might come knocking, asking about how it is you claim you just “found” some money (in a bank bag) and thought it’d be a-OK to keep and spend it. ---
**Author:** ![Furious\_Marmot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dfb087/32.png) [@Furious\_Marmot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Furious_Marmot)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-finds-bag-of-cash-turns-it-into-the-bank/661453/20 "2013-06-20T15:59:11Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Why not a safety deposit box? An extra hundred every trip to the grocery… Stopping at the bank to pull a hundred bucks out of a safe deposit box probably takes more time than the actual trip to the supermarket. No way I’m doing that once a week. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-finds-bag-of-cash-turns-it-into-the-bank/661453.md?page=2)