Got a $2500 check.

[Stealth3si]

I'm not expecting it but it was all even and there were nothing but the check paper itself! No instructions, congrats letter or anything.

[samrhett2]

Sounds like on of those mystery shopping check that I get at least once a month.  You don't give us much info, but tons of people here have gotten them.  They may just have forgotten to put the instructions in the envelope with the bogus check.  Hope I am wrong and it is from a long lost relative!

[corissadawn]

I have gotten a few of those!  I actually checked on out with the BBB and needless to say big scam!

[Normandie]

I personally dont know much about money, but what do u have to lose. 

[acurtsinger2]

you have lots to lose, all your hard earned money, your reputation at the bank and cashing a bogus check over  $300 in my state means a felony and jail time.  DON'T CASH THAT CHECK!!!!!

[swkstudent]

I'm not expecting it but it was all even and there were nothing but the check paper itself! No instructions, congrats letter or anything.

That happened to me before when I was 18 or 19 if I had cashed it I would be jail right now.

[hicham1976]

  i dont know about this option camn somebody explain me please!!!!!!!!

[Stealth3si]

Sounds like on of those mystery shopping check that I get at least once a month.  You don't give us much info, but tons of people here have gotten them.  They may just have forgotten to put the instructions in the envelope with the bogus check.  Hope I am wrong and it is from a long lost relative!

I do get those mystery shopping offers in the mail which usually are postmarked from Canada and their check amounts are normally random numbers that range in the thousands.

Interestingly enough, this was fed'ex overnight in a hard cardboard envelope from Florida by Adesa Inc. I would not be surprised if it was from one of those "loan" offers.

Here's a scanned photo of what was the only document found in the envelope:



The check itself is from TX but the envelope containing the check is postmarked from FL.

Not sure if that is unusual or another red flag. probably is (?)

Should I have the Chase verify its authenticity? Or could this be one of those checks that are found to be 'fake' weeks/months later?

[debidoo]

Two years ago got two checks several months apart - similar - called the bank they were "drawn" on and gave them the account number, I got transferred to a lady who said that her suggestion was that I DID NOT attempt to cash those checks and that I turn them in to the Postal authorities. SO that was that.  Guess that old sayng is right "no such thing as a free lunch"
 

[CharmedPhoenix]

Personally if I got a check like that without doing anything to get it and with no explanation I'd be very suspicious.  I'd check out the bank it's drawn on and the company that sent it.  It's most likely part of a check cashing scam that's missing it's instruction letter.  I'd also be interested in finding out what Fed Ex's policy is for handling fraud.  The fact that it came through a private delivery company and not the government agency (post office) could be a clue as well.  Do your homework.  Report the culprits.  (Your state's attorney general's office can help.)  Above all do not cash that check.

[abdyer2001]

That check is a scam, they set up phony accounts for you to send the money to.  You deposit the check into your account ,then you send them a check for the smaller amount so you can keep the rest. With the promise of a bigger payday if you do this. the scammers have a few of those bogus accounts set up so when one gets hot, they move to the next account the accounts are only open so if checked there really is a bank account. that the check is written on. but th person that ends up oweing the money for the bad check IS YOU. do not cash it scam

[L4v4]

Yeah if it sounds too good to be true, it really is too good to be true. Never trust it!

[timetravel]

I would definitely go with all the recommendations here and check it out.  Verify it with the bank it's drawn on.  Report it if necessary to the authorities.  You have much to lose and  nothing to gain if this turns out to be a scam.  Better safe than sorry!

[DavidII]

Don't Cash It! unless you are absolutely positive it is not fraudulent and is real. Other wise like mentioned many times here, YOU LOSE! alot

[pac4lyfe]

That check is a scam, they set up phony accounts for you to send the money to.  You deposit the check into your account ,then you send them a check for the smaller amount so you can keep the rest. With the promise of a bigger payday if you do this. the scammers have a few of those bogus accounts set up so when one gets hot, they move to the next account the accounts are only open so if checked there really is a bank account. that the check is written on. but th person that ends up oweing the money for the bad check IS YOU. do not cash it scam

You're right. They make you pay back some of the money they supposedly gave you by promising it will be to your benefit. Then, you have the other scammers that promise you a loan if you pay a fee up-front. That sounds real shady. The whole purpose of needing the loan is because you are short on money...so, why would they expect you to fork out some oney first? I am so sick of the e-mails from the Nigeria and the UK. Also, the Craigslist scammers that respond to your ads on there.