What if you cashed a payroll check and they gave you too much money

Question

Ok, my best friend cashed her payroll check at a Walmart. They cashed it for more than it was written for. She didn't realize until she got home and started counting it. She's so freaked out that she's even afraid to call them and tell them that she made the mistake. She wants to wait until they contact her and she'll give the money back, so that way, they can't say that if she takes it back in, that they had no record of it and if it does come back to them, they won't have the proper paperwork stating that the checked was cashed for the wrong amount. She's wondering, who should she end up paying back, her employer or the Walmart? I told her I have no clue, but maybe someone on here might have had a similiar issue with this and I would ask for her. Thanks for your help, in advance! :)

Answer 1

she needs to take it back to walmart and explain what happened its stealing since she knows that it's not her's . also the person who cashed the check could get into trouble . she wont get into trouble since it was there mistake but its not right to keep the extra money.

Answer 2

Just keep the money? How rude.

That clerk at Wal-Mart ended up with a short till that day, and probably got in trouble for it. You owe it to her/him to set it straight, and to yourself, as well.

Since you're writing, there are obviously moral qualms about keeping the money. That's good, because you should feel guilty about stealing.

Go to Wal-Mart, their nice customer service desk there, and say you were overpaid. Bring any receipts you may have.

Someone will feel a lot better if the error gets corrected. Mostly, you will.

Jim the Yooper

I always count my money after a transaction

Answer 3

Assuming Walmart caught the mistake, they could come after her for the money.  When you make a deal with someone you have the duty to make everything right.  If Walmart can prove that she KNEW she was over paid and did nothing, she can be fined and Walmart can sue her for more than what she was overpaid.

Answer 4

Do the honest thing and return the money.  Its the right thing to do, and it will make you feel good for doing it.

Answer 5

Its the cashiers fault, so her drawer will be short for the amount she gave over, it has nothing to do with the check, it was the mistake of the cashier

Answer 6

She should call WalMart, and report the error.   They can review cameras to see who got the extra money, so it is only a matter of time before they would contact you. The cashier that made the error may need to pay the cash shortage, until they find out where the money went. That could be rent money, medicine money, etc.  

How would you like someone to keep the money if you were the cashier?  Do unto others as you want them to do unto you" is not just a "holier than thou" expression. It is a good way to live.

Answer 7

Just...keep...the money

Answer 8

Definitely and honestly, she needs to go back and pay it back.  It needs to go where she received the money from.  It should be given to the teller if she is there, otherwise the Walmart office should be told, so that the money goes into the right location.  It must be an amount that would not go unnoticed or just written off at the end of the day.

I was working for a company that I was in charge of writing cheques to withdraw for my petty cash.  The Security Guard took the $1000.00 cheque and came back with $100,000.00.   Go figure neither he or the clerk noticed when they counted it out.  Trust me they both must have been sleeping... The pouch that always carried money deliveries was bursting lol.   He would not even go back alone.  I had to go with him.

The girl was not there, so I did have to go to a Manager, but by rights I should have presented it to both of them at the same time..  But I had my backup.  Do the right thing, return it.

Answer 9

We actually had this happen. I know we should have done something but we didn't. We kept the money and nothing happened. We went back to the store and even with cameras and such no on ever asked us anything. This was a long time ago and the extra $100 did come in handy that week. The man who cashed the check didn't get into any trouble either.

Answer 10

Does your friend realize that the teller who gave her too much money is PERSONALLY responsible for the shortage.  By keeping her mouth shut, your friend is hoping to gain at this person's expense.

Do unto others.