What alternatives do you have if you let a refund check expire?
* Deposit it anyway. This often backfires when the bank charges you a service fee which is more than the value of the check. People have successfully deposited expired checks and have had no trouble, but you run the risk of a bad outcome. Years ago I didn't hesitate to deposit an occasional check a few weeks past expiration. Now I'm very careful to cash or deposit them ASAP. I think banks are much more picky now.
* Call or email the sponsoring company and plead for mercy. Sometimes they will replace the check and sometimes not, but it’s certainly worth a try. Go to the company's website and find the contact information.
* Throw it away with a promise and a plan to never let it happen again. Have one special place to put refund checks which is out in the open. Don’t bury them under a pile on a desk. It’s important to have a routine of regular deposits. Not depositing a check is another form of slippage, which manufacturers love. If you've gone to all the work to submit the refund successfully, then don't deposit it, that is the ultimate example of shooting yourself in the foot. The best practice is to deposit or cash checks immediately.
P.S. Don't bother contacting the clearinghouse about an expired check. They don't care and will not help you. You have to go directly to the manufacturer, via email, phone or letter, and hope you luck upon a nice customer service person who is having a good day.
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