Title 31—Money and Finance: Treasury--Volume 1
PART 245—CLAIMS ON ACCOUNT OF TREASURY CHECKS
§ 245.1   Introductory.
This part governs the issuance of replacement checks for checks drawn on the United States Treasury, when
(a) The original check has been lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated or defaced to such an extent that it is rendered non-negotiable;
(b) The original check has been negotiated and paid on a forged or unauthorized indorsement, and
(c) The original check has been cancelled pursuant to § 204.4 of this chapter.
§ 245.2   Definitions.
For purposes of this part:
(a) Agency means each authority of the United States for which the Treasury of the United States issues checks or for which checks drawn on the Treasury of the United States are issued.
(b) Check means a check drawn on the United States Treasury.
(c) Certifying Agency means an agency for whom a Treasury disbursing officer or a non-Treasury disbursing officer makes payment in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3325. The responsibilities of a certifying official are set forth at 31 U.S.C. 3528.
(d) Commissioner means the Commissioner of the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, Department of the Treasury, 401 14th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20227.
(e) Person means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a labor organization, a government or a subdivision or instrumentality thereof, and any other entity to which a check may be issued.
(f) Replacement check means a check issued pursuant to the recertification of payment by a certifying official.
(g) Secretary means the Secretary of the Treasury.
§ 245.3   Time limit for check claims.
(a) Any claim on account of a Treasury check must be presented to the agency that authorized the issuance of such check within one year after the date of issuance of the check or within one year after October 1, 1989, whichever is later.
(b) Any claim by an indorser under § 245.6 will be considered timely if presented to the Commissioner within one year after the date of issuance of the check or within one year after October 1, 1989, whichever is later.
(c) Nothing in this subsection affects the underlying obligation of the United States, or any agency thereof, for which a Treasury check was issued.
§ 245.4   Advice of nonreceipt or loss.
(a) In the event of the nonreceipt, loss or destruction of a check drawn on the United States Treasury, or the mutilation or defacement of such a check to an exent which renders it nonnegotiable, the claimant should immediately notify the agency that authorized the issuance of such check, describing the check, stating the purpose for which it was issued and giving, if possible, its date, amount, Treasury symbol and number.
(b) In cases involving mutiliated or defaced checks, the claimant should enclose the mutilated or defaced check with his communication to the agency.
§ 245.5   Recertification of payment.
Upon receipt of a claim concerning the nonreceipt, loss, destruction, mutilation or defacement of a check, or the cancellation of a check pursuant to § 240.4 of this chapter, the certifying agency may certify a new payment.
§ 245.6   Claim by an indorser.
When one or more Treasury checks are lost, stolen or destroyed in a single incident while in the possession of a person to whom the checks have been negotiated by the payee, and if the checks have not been paid, the Commissioner may issue a replacement check to the person to whom the checks had been negotiated.
§ 245.7   Check status inquiry.
The Commissioner will provide the status and a copy of the check if available, upon request, to the agency which authorized the issuance of the check.
§ 245.8   Receipt or recovery of original check.
(a) If the original check is received or recovered by the claimant after he has requested the agency to issue a replacement check, but before a replacement check has been received, he should immediately advise the agency and hold such check until receipt of instructions with respect to the negotiability of such check.
(b) If the original check is received or recovered by the claimant after a replacement check has been received by him, the original shall not be cashed, but shall be forwarded immediately to the agency that authorized the issuance of such check. Under no circumstances should both the original and replacement checks be cashed.
§ 245.9   Procedural instructions.
The Commissioner of the Bureau of the Fiscal Service may issue procedural instructions, implementing these regulations, in Volume I, Part 4 of the Treasury Financial Manual.
§ 245.10   Performance of functions of the Commissioner.
The Commissioner of the Bureau of the Fiscal Services may authorize any officer of the Treasury Department to perform any of his functions under this part and to redelegate such authority within such limits as the Commissioner may prescribe.