NOT a scam, called merrill lynch directly they confirmed it was OK. Merrill lynch verified my last 4, DOB, and zip code and re-issued. you can go through merrill lynch directly; just goes through a million more prompts. I just called 1800MERRILL (listed number online)

I had a client send me a copy of a letter received in the mail, claiming the existance of an uncashed check from a 401(k) plan my client knew nothing about. I thought the letter suspicious as there was no return address and I didn't not recognize the phone number at the bottom to be one of Merrill Lynch's numbers. I forwarded the letter to our fraud department and received the following response: "We have analyzed the email and are able to confirm that it is fraudulent (aka phishing).  Neither you nor your client should click on any links in the email or submit personal information in response to it.  If your client did submit personal information please notify us immediately, otherwise simply instruct them to delete the email.
We do not believe your client is being targeted directly. Phishing is a common scam, targeting most financial institutions. Criminals will blindly send out large numbers of emails under many different well known brand names hoping to catch a large number of unsuspecting victims."

Don't trust Chrissy!

This is a scam. I called the 855 number and the first question they ask - what is your SSN. Whereas Merrill Lynch asks - what is your account number. Plus Merrill Lynch then cross-checks with *only* the last 4 digits.

SCAM!

I don't believe this person received a check! I called Merrill Lynch and they have zero records of me ever having a 401k managed by their company. Also, there is no address for Merrill Lynch on the letter. Plus the letter doesn't even indicate the company that I worked for. Surely they have this info somewhere.

SCAM!

This is legitimate. This is the Abandonned Property department attempting to clear their books. The original checks were sent out to addresses that weren't valid (client moved, didn't put forwarding address, etc). They do a skip trace to find any other potential addresses and sent correspondence anywhere they think they may get a response. Once contacted, they will update the records and send out another check.

Called Meririll Lynch verified phone # called 855-214-2766 , check will go out next week. Not a problem

since it say merrill lynch gave my ssn like a fool , i will be calling the company

If you got this letter it could be legit. I just spoke with someone at Merrill Lynch (not at the number on the letter one from there website) and I didn't have to give my social they had all the correct information and I was recieving the check because I quit working for my Employer who provided a 401K plan and never transferred the $ in my acct to another 401K.

I realized I should not have given my social to this person because it is a hoax

Don't give your SSN# to 855-214-2766,
and call the following Merrill phone # to verify:
401(k), Employee Stock Option Plan and Non-Qualified Plan participants

1-866-820-1492

It must be a scam.  If you google the phone number it does not appear as a number for Merrill Lynch.  I suggest you do the same as I did with the letter - throw it in the garbage.  You know whether or not you requested a loan or distribution from a 401k and if you didn't then obviously this is fake.

received a similar letter and suspicious......please let us know what has happened.  I won't give my SS #.  I called the Plan Administrator and left a voice message, doubt I will get a return call.

I received the same letter. Did you ever receive your check?

I received a mail from "Bank of America Merrill Lynch" for me to claim residual 401K check from my previous employer. So I gave my social security number for them to verify but I never received the check.