concerning Novation you are correct in stating that the bank has 90 days to return a check with a restrictive endorsement.It is called the safe harbor clause in the UCC under restrictive endorsements. It says also that they can send a check of equal value!! My question is if the smuck who tries this sends a copy of this check to the bank and tells them what was done, what it the bank decides to just keep the money and not return anything?