I'm cleaning out some old paperwork that's been cluttering my desk for ages and just found a check from two employers ago for almost $3600!!!! How in the hell did I ever NOT see this? The only thing I can think of is that I was travelling around a lot for work, put it away and completely forgot about it.

Christ, what an idiot!!

The weird thing is that about half a year ago, I had received a letter from them inquiring as to why I never cashed the check. I said I didn't remember such a check and asked for more information. They wrote back and stated that it was a mistake on their part and to disregard the letter.

Well, guess who's calling tomorrow? Since I paid taxes on this baby, I WANT MY MONEY!

Sketchy and cheap.

A lot of checks have 90 day expiration periods... so you may need to bribe the bank teller.

<------ wishes she found a $3600 check she forgot about. wow.

hell, i'd be happy with a $100 check i forgot about.

congratulations on your newfound treasure!
that's a hefty chunk of change....you should use it for something FUN FUN FUN!

Yeah, this check has a 90 day expiration period. Plus, it was written in 1999, which automatically makes it a "stale" check (bank term). And since they reported it as part of my taxable earnings for that year, there's no choice but to have them reissue a replacement check.

Shit...the question is now -- what do I do with it? Should I go ahead and plan my NYE weekender to a foreign land? Catch up on some CD purchases? Be practical and save it for a rainy day? Pay off some of my auto loan?

This is exciting!!

I'd use most of it to pay off something and then have fun with the rest.

You're so practical, Jon. (And smart.)

I've got a couple of piddly credit cards that I'm gonna pay off. But am definitely setting aside some cash to take that Euro NYE weekender.

I just wish I would take my own advice once in awhile. If I found that check it'd be blown within a week.

Damn I would love to find something like that. I'd totally be a knob and pay off credit cards though. That and more cds.

Wait... your bi-weekly paychecks are in the 3600 dollar range?

You should take a trip.

Ha! I wish! Apparently, I received a bonus of over $6000, the $3600 was the net. Frankly, I don't remember it ever being mentioned to me that I was supposed to receive this hefty chunk a change. Am I gonna question it? Hell nah!

It's kinda sad when you think of it. Cuz back then, I used to make almost 20 grand more than I do now. Those were the mongerous days.

yea, go for the trip...you know that's what you really want to do anyway

and hopefully you're a direct deposit person now...no more shorting yourself...I love it, haven't seen a bank teller in years

I can't imagine forgetting about a $36 cheque, nevermind one for 100x that. Their last reply makes me think you might have a tough time getting the money out of them, even though it's rightfully yours. But good luck, and enjoy whatever you do with it.

Well, I've got proof. I still have the check, plus every other checkstub for that year that shows those wages were included in my taxable wages. I don't think they'll be able to get out of not issuing me a replacement check.

Don't get me wrong. I absolutely believe you deserve to get paid, but if they've already falsely claimed that they made a mistake about that cheque then you may have to fight with them a little. But that's only a guess on my part.

In case anyone was wondering, here's what's happened in the past six weeks regarding this check.

My former employer informed me the following:

. "Yes, we're aware of this outstanding check." (Why wasn't it reissued?)
. "The reason we never reissued it is because you owe us $5000 for a salary advance given to you." (Excuse me?! I have never requested a $5000 advance!)
. "Oh, and by the way, after speaking to the Accounting Manager, she states that you also owe a $3000 expense advance." (WTF?)
. "We'll have to put in a request to obtain the records from 1998 and 1999 in order to research this further." (Great! Please also obtain copies of the cancelled checks issued to me with my endorsement. Thank you.)

Little did they know that I had found copies of my old expense reports and could verify all the expenses paid to me. It sometimes pays to be a packrat.

Weeks pass...repeated calls are made...

. "We're still researching...The Accounting Manager has been ill for over a week and not been in...I'm still waiting for the records...I'm waiting for the Accounting Manager to gather her supporting information." (Grrrrrr! Mild threat of Department of Labor involvement is made.)

Fast forward to today. I made yet another call this morning requesting the status of their research. Their response? "Tania, I requested your payroll information for those years. I received everyone's files, however, yours was missing. I can't explain it. So, I asked the Accounting Manager to give me the information that she had requested. Guess what? Your information for those years was missing as well." (Mm-hmmm...riiiiight) "The gods must be looking out for you because this is becoming too much work to research further. We've decided to go ahead and reissue you the check. You should get it within a week's time."

HELLFUCKINYEAH!!!



Her reasons for issuing the check couldn't be more weak. We're talking about a publicly-owned company. They don't just "give away" thousands of dollars that can't be explained. I was right and they were wrong. There were NO advances issued to me. I mean...really, I think I would remember if $8000 had been given to me. Whatever...I won! I beat da man! Needless to say, I'm an ecstatic lil' camper!

Wait till you get the check in your hot little hands.

But you're doing better than I'm doing with my current employer.

Nice shelves.

blow it all on coke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

well some. save the rest for the NYE 'ting.

now you have enough $ to buy a used copy of the wrens "secaucus"!

Damn. That's the coolest thing ever.

Put half (1800 in the bank)

Use half of the remaining (900) to pay off bills...

use the last 900 on yourself for whatever makes ya happy....

this way, you dont feel guilty and everyone wins.

Need a traveling companion? I've got a big jar of pennies I just found under my mattress. *hint, hint*

fp

You'd make a practical husband.