Can someone get in trouble for cashing a check received from an unknown source?

Answer 1

When you receive cash from a check you are essentially receiving a "loan" of sorts from the bank while the bank collects the money for the check from the drawee bank. If you receive cash from a check that is fraudulent in some way, you are obligated to repay the money that you received from the check to the bank. If you are in fact due to be given money by the person who wrote the check to you, you would then have to separately seek that money from them - but YOU who received the cash must repay the bank (or check cashing service).

If you are the innocent victim of a fraudulent check you need only repay the money to the bank (plus any fees for presenting a returned item) and your "trouble" is resolved. But if you knowingly present a fraudulent check, you may have additional legal problems.

The best thing to do when you receive a check from an unknown source is bring it to the bank on which it is drawn and explain to them how you received the check, and have them verify that it is legitimate, before attempting to negotiate it. You will almost certainly find that most checks you receive from unknown sources are fraudulent.