[Blaster]

The only real "safe" way of "cashing" a check is to take it to a check-cashing place (that takes a fee to cash the check)& get cash.
"Cashing" a check at your bank ties the check to your account, & if there is any problem that the bank may encounter with that check it will debited from the account of the person who "cashed" it.
This is why you must have an account at the bank, show ID, have enough funds in your account to cover the check, & /or write your account number on the back of the check you are "cashing"...