Check altered

[KennTx]

What is the name of your state?Texas
I have written and mailed a check to Payee A but someone has altered the payee line to Payee B without my permission. The change is obviously not my writing and it is not initialed. I did not notice any other alterations on the face of the check. It has cleared my bank, I just saw it on my statement. I do not believe this is legal. Can someone tell me what laws may apply and how to approach this problem. Thanks.

[Veronica1228]

Originally Posted by KennTx

What is the name of your state?Texas
I have written and mailed a check to Payee A but someone has altered the payee line to Payee B without my permission. The change is obviously not my writing and it is not initialed. I did not notice any other alterations on the face of the check. It has cleared my bank, I just saw it on my statement. I do not believe this is legal. Can someone tell me what laws may apply and how to approach this problem. Thanks.

If your check has been altered and someone other than the payee you intended to pay cashed or deposited that check it is considered fraud. Take the original check to your bank and notify them of this situation. They will take a report and fill out an affidavit. Depending on their procedures, they may need Payee A to sign in, or they may have you sign it. Either way, this will open the investigation and help you to get those funds back.

They may have other steps for you to take like filling out a police report etc. Make sure you follow all of their instructions. This situation, in addition to being fraud, could also qualify as theft and mail fraud which is a federal offense. It will depend on the circumstances of how this occurred.

Good luck.