I just found a $20 rebate check in my car, dated 3/20/03, ask me anything!

[Deja Q]

Judt don't ask "does it become invalid after 30 days?" because it does, damn!

I wonder if I should try to cash it anyway... :shrug:

[WillParkinson]

1. It probably won't work...

But call the company and tell them. Maybe they'll send you a new one.

[corarose]

2. You can try to deposit it

I use to be a bank teller and they might not check the date. Look for someone that looks hungover from last night.

[amazona]

3. it will work fine -- i found one eight years old!

I found an uncashed check that was eight years old. I wrote to the issuer and they sent me a new check. For a check only a few months old, I would go ahead and deposit it. Only if it was refused would I go to the trouble of writing a letter to the issuer. But they will almost certainly replace it if you ask them to, so it is definitely worth a little trouble.

Most consumers give up too easily, I've noticed. $20 is worth chasing. What would you be doing with that hour? Not earning $20...probably just goofing in the lounge. :-)

[jburton]

4. use ATM or night drop

no questions asked!

Also, the overwhelming amount of processing that happens this way means it will pass through the cracks fairly easily.