<prompt> Human: So I started working again after being unemployed and homeless for a while.Working for a company that is subcontractors to a bigger company.They issued me my first check with my first name and last names misspelled and my bank said they wouldnt cash it because it wasnt me. Bank said if its really a payroll check to get a new one issued. That I may try and deposit it but best bet would be to have a new one with my correct spelling.Inform company and they tell me they have cancelled the old check and will be issuing a new one.10 days later company issued me a new check with correct name spelling. I deposit this one as well.Now a month and a half later this company tells me that both checks cleared and I owe them 2200 because I was only supposed to get paid once .As I checked my account I see that both checks did go thru however I didnt realize it at the time and have already used the money in my account for bills, rent, and paying people back who had lent me money when I was in time of need.I am a sub contractor for this company and they were already talking about cutting their hours and number of contractors in the future.How can I pay them back? Or should I since it wasnt my intention and their mistake for not cancelled check? Or just leave and find another job?What are my options and legal ramifications?Update:employer now said they are willing to work it out with me, and by this they mean they are going to keep 100 of however many paychecks it takes until the is paid back. How legal is that? I want to and need to pay them back but I cannot afford to work and not be paid.Update II :I have spoken with a lawyer and firstly let me say thanks to those of you with the truly helpful advice.To those that immediately claimed I knew what I was doing and trying to scam or offering no advice but downvotes, screw you. Reddits hive mentality of bringing out the pitchforks never seems to amaze me.According to the attorney what the company is trying to do IS illegal. They cannot keep 100 of your paycheck because they feel entitled to it. That is called garnishing your wages and a legal order is required for that. Also they have to prove their was malicious intent from the beginning of it all to say it was theft.Since I have the written email from their accountant saying how they voided the prior check and were issuing me a new one I have the proof that it wasnt done on purpose.Even though I now owe the company and there is a debt, they are not legally allowed to just decide what I will be getting and that I need to work it off without being paid because I was already paid twice. Thats called slave labor and they cannot force you to do so.What has happened now is that after speaking with my boss and explaining my situation and my side of things he understands and sees how this mistake can be made and that I am not trying to score free money. I am willing to work it off, and for the next month I will be dividing my paychecks 5050 til the debt is payed off.This will satisfy my debt and also allow for my bills not to pile up for a month and put me behind for future months cause as Im sure most of you can agree...most people cant work for a month and not be paid.So again thanks for the real people giving real advice on this sub.  <response>: How can you not notice an extra 2200 in your bank account? Im sure if you owe people money, it would be obvious that there was a mistake going on. its not your money you need to pay them back. 