[ikka]

Weeks later the fraudulent check is bounced back, the computer is long gone... and the criminals have ALSO cashed the legitimate cashier's check and are gone with the wind.

That really is something I had not thought of.

What would happen if you take the check directly to the issuing bank and have them give you the cash; would you know then?

[Petruchio]

It is getting to where banks don't want to cash a check unless you are a current customer of that bank.

[kitkat]

***What would happen if you take the check directly to the issuing bank and have them give you the cash; would you know then?***

NO! A bank will only cash a check for you if you have at least an equivalent amount on deposit with them. Your having received the cash in hand from the bank does NOT mean that you're covered.

If the check they cashed for you bounces, they can deduct the amount of their loss from your account.

If banks did not have this built-in safeguard to protect themselves, there would be no banks.