A client tried to pay me with a 'promotional check' from their own business

This happened about a month ago. I finished a logo design project, and the guy sent a check for $500 drawn on his company's account that said 'Promotional Use Only' across the top. I called the bank listed on the check, and they confirmed it was a sample check from a starter kit, not valid for cash. I told him I needed a real payment method or I'd keep the copyright. He got mad and said I was being difficult. Has anyone else gotten a fake check like this?

4 comments

4 Comments

thompson.julia1mo ago

Hayes.michael is right, that "Monopoly money" check was a total scam attempt.

schmidt.iris26d ago

Oh man, that's wild. Hayes.michael is totally right, it's Monopoly money. I had a client try that with a "non-negotiable" check from their fancy new LLC kit. They acted all shocked when I said it wouldn't clear, like I was the one being unreasonable. The nerve of some people, trying to pay for real work with fake money. Good on you for holding the copyright until you got real cash.

hayes.michael1mo ago

Promotional Use Only" means it's not legal tender, it's basically Monopoly money. He knew exactly what he was doing by sending a sample check. Getting mad when called out is the oldest trick in the book.

the_max1mo ago

Actually, promotional checks can still be real checks, they just have that print for bank rules. The scam is in the fake overpayment, not the check itself.