A debt collector sent a check to me.?

Question

I received a letter from a debt collector and there was a check for $70 included. It looks like a 100% legitimate check, in fact I know the routing number is correct because it's the same routing number for my bank account. Anyway, there's no conceivable way that they owe me money as I have not paid them anything. I think this is a ploy to get me to call them and ask about the check, to verify that they have a correct and current address for me, to get my banking information somehow, or to start an all new collection proceeding by claiming that the money was sent by mistake. Has anyone else gotten a similar letter/check from a debt collector?

Answer 1

If you weren't expecting the check, put it in the shredder.

Answer 2

Your suspicions are probably 99.9999999999% correct. I've never heard of ANY debt collector sending money to ANYONE. Their goal is to collect money from EVERYONE who owes money. Unsolicited, unexpected checks from strange companies that you've never done business with are fraught with problems. I would contact your bank to let them know that there's most likely a problem with this check. Do not cash it. Even though the routing number is correct, anyone can print legitimate looking checks from their computer.

Answer 3

Free checks are never free.

If you cash the check AND the bank accepts it as real, the issuer will get your bank account number and could drain your account.

Answer 4

Why would a check someone sent you, have YOUR routing number on it? Yep, take it to the cops. Ask to speak to an officer in the financial crimes unit.

Answer 5

Dont trust it. Take the check to police. There is someone out there stealing bank accounts like this. We brought ours to the police station and the police told us he was draining bank accounts all over the world!! REPORT THIS COMPANY!!