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Someone stole a check from me and received my money. The check was from a large company, and they aren't interested in assisting me in resolving the issue. I don't know who stole the check.

  1. Is there a way to figure out who cashed the check without the assistance of the company which issued the check? Can the police do this easily?
  2. Is the company under any obligation to assist me with this problem?
  3. Am I right in assuming that the company which issued the check can easily call their bank and figure out who deposited it? Will this work even if the check was cashed instead of deposited?

While I'd like the money, my primary goal is to figure out who got the money so I don't get stolen from again.

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    For clarity, are you seeking help in obtaining a repeat payment from the company ?
    – DJohnM
    Commented May 3, 2019 at 20:22

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I would call the police and file a report. Then I will notify the issuer in writing and ask for the check to be re-issued. Make sure you include the police report number. How they deal with it is their problem, not yours. You did not get the money, therefore they still own it to you.

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    I'm not sure the last part holds up, feel like if I give someone a check I have paid them. If I paid you cash and it was then stolen from you, don't think I am on the hook .
    – Hart CO
    Commented May 3, 2019 at 19:03
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    @HartCO Cash is a legal tender, checks are not. When the money from the check is deposited in my account, then the debt is extinguished, not before.
    – ventsyv
    Commented May 3, 2019 at 19:34
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    That's why giving the police report number to the company is important: they company sees that the check was cashed, and you need something to back up your assertion that someone else did so without your consent.
    – chepner
    Commented May 3, 2019 at 19:40
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    "Contact your bank or credit union right away. State law generally provides that you are not responsible for a check if someone forged the signature of the person to whom you made out the check." - consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/… This makes sense to me, the bank that accepted the forgery should be the liable party.
    – Hart CO
    Commented May 3, 2019 at 20:34
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    @HartCO My understanding is that's not true according to the law. UCC 3-309 says you are still entitled payment if the check is lost, stolen, or destroyed. The issuer can pursue a claim with the fact that the stolen check was wrongfully paid against the bank. A check is not cash, it is an instruction for the bank to pay. As ventsyv alluded to, UCC 3-310 says giving somebody a check merely suspends the obligation to pay until payment actually occurs (or the check is dishonored).
    – user71659
    Commented May 5, 2019 at 19:24

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