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Quite odd. I got a Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope delivered to my address yesterday with my name on it from an address and person that I do not know. Upon opening it I found a computer printed check for a sizeable amount of money, think a couple thousand. The check had a different address than the envelope and what I assume is the name of a business but it's just initials.

I searched the addresses on MapQuest. The check originated in Western Florida in the panhandle and the address appears to be a suite in a strip mall between a UPS Store and a nail salon. The address on the envelope is a residence in North Carolina in a suburb of Charlotte. It looks like a very nice place based on the Google image that shows up of the house.

There was nothing else in the envelope to indicate what is is for. No letter, note, invoice, etc. Just the check.

I have no idea what to do with this. Colleen seems to think it's a scam but if so then it's not the best one because there doesn't seem to be any solicitation to purchase anything, join something or whatever. The check appears legit, not marked VOID or anything. I'm stumped.

What do y'all think?

Take it to a bank and ask them if it looks legit?

It sounds like one of those scams where they send you a bad check and when you deposit the check, demand that you send them the money back from it since it was a "mistake" on their part. They hope that you send the money back before the check bounces and then you're out the entire amount.

My guess is they either have your phone number and will call you if you deposit the check, or they screwed up in the mailing and didn't include something in the envelope.

It's certainly suspicious that the check address is in a suite between two businesses, but doesn't show up as an actual business.

I think BlueMoon has the right idea, take it the bank, ask to speak to one of the non-tellers, and explain the situation. They'll be up to date on any scams and will know for sure if this matches one of them.

To the shock and surprise of absolutely no one, it turned out to be a scam.

Like you all suggested, and one of my first impulses, I took it to my credit union and showed it to the manager there. He laughed and confirmed that it was fake. He showed me a set of numbers on it which causes a "loop" and sends your information to the scammers if you were to try and cash it. He said for the record that they would not have attempted that there.

Lo and behold, a couple of days later I got another one in the mail. Same deal, same check but a different mailing address.

I turned them both in and the CU said that they will report them to the proper authorities.

Well, at the very least, I'm sorry you are not a sizable amount of money richer.