Stupid question about cashing checks without a checking or savings account...

[warren pease]

How do you cash a check without a bank account? The issuing bank is back east with no local presence that I'm aware of.

Without going to one of those usurious check-cashing places, is there a way to cash a legitimate check -- one I know is backed by adequate funds -- without an account someplace?

Yeah, the Bush Economic Miracle been very, very good to me...


Thanks in advance,

sf

[Ohio Joe]

Best I remember...

You have to go to the bank it is drawn on but I've heard even then, some banks want you to have an account. There is the option of a "check cashing store" but they will want a hefty fee. If you have a "card" for your local supermarket they might do it for a much smaller fee.

... eh, thats all I can think of.

[DrDan]

1. can't you sign it over to another? or deposit the check into someone else's

account? As long as you endorse it, I think you can deposit it into any other account.

on edit - It is not from that Nigerian prince, is it?

[warren pease]

3. "It is not from that Nigerian prince, is it?"

Nope. This one's from the Ukranian sex slave who wants to marry me for my citizenship papers. Aside from setting myself up for bigamy charges, she apparently doesn't understand that wanting me for my money is like joining the GOP for the intellectual stimulation.

Thanks for the tip. I think that's how things used to work back in the day when $20 was a major sum and a semester unit cost around a buck or two.


sf

[DrDan]

6. check this out -

http://www.ehow.com/how_4881758_sign-check-over-another-person.html

sounds like if you know someone who has an account - you both go in person with ID and the bank should take the deposit

[ejpoeta]

4. something interesting.... i had an account at charter one bank and my husband,

who was not my husband at the time but we lived together and had a child... he would sign over his check to me and i would deposit it in my account. Well, one day I deposited it as usual on friday.... in the atm because the bank was closed at the time. and i paid bills.... they friggin refused to deposit the check and MAILED it to me.... and my checking account bounced all over!!! ooh was i pissed. they said they couldn't deposit or cash the check because the person the check was made out to was not on the account. so instead of one day, after like a year of depositing the checks, sending me a letter or something or telling me somehow that you would not accept them anymore after this one... they just arbitrarily refused to accept a check that had been endorsed and given to me. I was so friggin pissed. I ended up adding bob to my account, but it's bullshit. if i have an account with the bank and am depositing the check and not trying to cash it, then they should have to accept it.

[hobbit709]

2. Pretty much SOL except maybe at a check cashing place.

Unless you have friend with an account that can deposit it their account, wait for it to clear, and then give you the money.

[Junkdrawer]

5. Walmart advertises a $3 fee service...

See what your local grocery chain charges.

30 yrs. ago I use to just walk into a bank. I guess times have changed.

[bliss_eternal]

7. sometimes you can do so at the supermarket...

(at least one could many years ago)...you may want to call a few in your area, and ask if they are willing/able to do so, and what kinds of id they require for you to do so. also ask for times it's ok to do this (sometimes only willing to do when a manager is on duty). get the name of whoever you talk with, in case there's a problem later--you can always say exactly who told you it was ok.

good luck!

[billyoc]

8. I've worked out of town, a LOT. The local working class watering hole usually cashes paychecks.

[ThomWV]

9. It takes 15 minutes to open an account and you can deposit the check to do it.

Why not? I don't know about where you live but around here just about all of the banks offer a free checking account service.

[cbdo2007]

10. Why ask us? Call the issuing bank and ask them what to do.

[warren pease]

11. I told you it was a dumb question...

...and that's a smart answer.


Thanks,

sf