# writing checks **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [October 27, 2002, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-checks/134079 "2002-10-27T05:45:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![silverspawn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@silverspawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silverspawn)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2002, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-checks/134079/1 "2002-10-27T05:45:21Z")
In reading the question/answer about whether one can write a check on a regular piece of paper and have it be valid, I was reminded of this story. Patrick Combs deposited one of those fake “you have won $xx,xxx!!!” checks into his atm, and they accidentally accepted it. What followed was a long and kinda funny, actually, process by which the bank tried to threaten him and make him back down. His full story can be found here: [http://www.goodthink.com/$$tablecontents.html](http://www.goodthink.com/%24%24tablecontents.html) ---
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2002, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-checks/134079/2 "2002-10-27T05:54:36Z")
Column in question: [http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_352b.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_352b.html) Fixed Link: [http://www.goodthink.com/$$tablecontents.html](http://www.goodthink.com/%24%24tablecontents.html) ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2002, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-checks/134079/3 "2002-10-27T06:04:03Z")
Welcome to the SDMB, **silverspawn**. They appreciate a link to the original article, such as [Can you write a check on any old piece of paper?](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_352b.html).