Warning about giving checks to unknown people collecting tzedakah

[elikay]

There is also shaylos about laundering, stealing and other wrongs the meshulachim do.

Downright NASTY!

BTW the bank does not have to honor any writing that you make on the check.

[plane.love]

Downright NASTY!

BTW the bank does not have to honor any writing that you make on the check.

Why is that nasty?
This business is very tempting for unscrupulous characters and they mire the waters...

Additionally the money was only given al semach that he will take it in 30 days, otherwise limaphraya its nisgaleh that it was never given.

Someone who writes void in thirty days is more likely to have made that tannai but not for sure, and I am definitely not against writing checks for charity I just remember some interesting shaylos regarding it.

[real-brisker]

There is also shaylos about laundering, stealing and other wrongs the meshulachim do.

This is how we prevent these things from happening.

Additionally the money was only given al semach that he will take it in 30 days, otherwise limaphraya its nisgaleh that it was never given.

What are you gaining with only giving them 30 days?

[Yeki89]

Not having a check cashed a year later...
I just had a check of mine cashed 8 months later

[real-brisker]

Oh. I thought you had some other cheshbonos involved.

[Yeki89]

Oh. I thought you had some other cheshbonos involved.

Like what?

[real-brisker]

Not sure

[elikay]

Personally I never give checks unless it is to an established institution, and even then I usually give credit card as it is easier for me to track.

Why is that nasty?
This business is very tempting for unscrupulous characters and they mire the waters...

You relationship with people has to be Chasdehu Vekabdehu meaning you can't look down to every meshuluch as a ganif but you definitely must be careful.

There have been reports of meshulochim washing checks also. Beware.

I believe that case was shown to be actually more sophisticated, where the checks were reprinted using the original check number and signature.

[churnbabychurn]

http://www.thelakewoodscoop.com/news/2012/03/tomchei-tzedakah-reports-of-over-50000-of-fraudulent-checks-being-cashed.html

[ybeeds]

I don't know halacha!!!

But is it wrong to report a stolen $45, b/c if the guy would end up in prison? Who has to absorb the loss? the guy stole, he took the risk of getting busted!

[elikay]

I don't know halacha!!!

But is it wrong to report a stolen $45, b/c if the guy would end up in prison? Who has to absorb the loss? the guy stole, he took the risk of getting busted!

IIRC I know someone who was seriously swindled (guy emptied hotel bar on his reservation) and the Psak he got was that if it'll land the gut in prison then it is for sure a problem. Though I doubt you'll end up in prison over $45

[hocker]

I don't know halacha!!!

But is it wrong to report a stolen $45, b/c if the guy would end up in prison? Who has to absorb the loss? the guy stole, he took the risk of getting busted!

Have you ever heard of the term Mesirah? Your argument doesn't address that point at all.

[churnbabychurn]

Personally I never give checks unless it is to an established institution, and even then I usually give credit card as it is easier for me to track. You relationship with people has to be Chasdehu Vekabdehu meaning you can't look down to every meshuluch as a ganif but you definitely must be careful.
I believe that case was shown to be actually more sophisticated, where the checks were reprinted using the original check number and signature.

Giving Tzedaka via CC is not lechatchila at all. the mitzva of givingTzedaks is fulfilled by giving cash or cash equivalents, like a check. A CC is most probably only giving money through the mechanism of Eved Kenani, definitely problematic for matanos laevyonim/ kiddushei isha and not a maasheh nissinas tzedaksh at all.
Of course YMMV 

[NY152]

Giving Tzedaka via CC is not lechatchila at all. the mitzva of givingTzedaks is fulfilled by giving cash or cash equivalents, like a check. A CC is most probably only giving money through the mechanism of Eved Kenani, definitely problematic for matanos laevyonim/ kiddushei isha and not a maasheh nissinas tzedaksh at all.
Of course YMMV 

Source please, other than your own logic.

[Saver2000]

Giving Tzedaka via CC is not lechatchila at all. the mitzva of givingTzedaks is fulfilled by giving cash or cash equivalents, like a check. A CC is most probably only giving money through the mechanism of Eved Kenani, definitely problematic for matanos laevyonim/ kiddushei isha and not a maasheh nissinas tzedaksh at all.
Of course YMMV 

Since when is a check considered cash equivalent?

I once heard a shailah - regarding the halachah that you have to pay a worker the same day,  if a check is considered payment.  -
Many times the person can't cash the check bec the bank is closed,  or bec they don't have ID,  etc

Regarding maatonos le'evyonim, I believe most poskim hold that you need to give cash. (unless you're giving to an organization that's going to distribute it for you then maybe its different?  I don't know if the psak that I'm referring to applies to organizations)

[churnbabychurn]

its way more complicated than a "Source", one must explain the mechanism of a CC transaction and then see where it fits in the sources. Start with the machlokes machaneh ephrayim and imrei bina, nesivos etc re one paying off a cohen for someone else's pidyon haben...
Re matanos laevyonim im just stating my opinion but definitely ask you LOR.
Re giving charity, im pretty certain that most would agree that cash is preferred halachicaly.

[churnbabychurn]

Since when is a check considered cash equivalent?

I once heard a shailah - regarding the halachah that you have to pay a worker the same day,  if a check is considered payment.  -
Many times the person can't cash the check bec the bank is closed,  or bec they don't have ID,  etc

Regarding maatonos le'evyonim, I believe most poskim hold that you need to give cash. (unless you're giving to an organization that's going to distribute it for you then maybe its different?  I don't know if the psak that I'm referring to applies to organizations)

The consensus of poskim is that for the mitzva of tzedaka a check is ok. A CC is a whole different animal.

[churnbabychurn]

Debit cards are probably good too

[Moishebatchy]

Have you ever heard of the term Mesirah? Your argument doesn't address that point at all.

Sigh. Here we go again... Read my lips:

There. Is. Virtually. No. Actual. "Mesirah". B'zman. Hazeh!!!!

[Saver2000]

The consensus of poskim is that for the mitzva of tzedaka a check is ok. A CC is a whole different animal.

Your talking about a private person that comes knocking on your door collecting for himself?  Or an organization?