Twenty-Five Nine-Patch Blocks

 

We’ve all received something like this in the mail; a sample “check” addressed to us. It’s meant to catch our attention and advertise something, but we quickly realize it’s a fake and we toss it with the rest of the junk mail. In 1995, Patrick Combs received one for $95,093.35. As a joke, he took it to the bank and deposited it. Amazingly, ten days later his bank account went from $200 to nearly $100,000. Patrick converted the money to a cashier’s check and locked it in a safe deposit box. His story hit the Wall Street Journal, and Patrick appeared on Good Morning America. Everyone told him to keep the cash. The check met the nine criteria of validity, and the bank missed the rejection deadline. But Patrick did eventually return the money. He turned his experience into a one-man comedy act, and eventually a book. Did they earn him $100,000? You’d have to ask Patrick.