<prompt> Human: Hi there. First time poster. Here is the situation. I work in freelance film in LA. I worked on a job back in early April of this year, after which I never received my paycheck. After contacting the payroll company, they informed me that it had, in fact, already been deposited, by a person not sharing my name. They did disclose the name to me, no one Id ever heard of. The bank for whatever reason cleared this. Payroll company then told me I had to print and fill out an affidavit, get it notarized at my own expense, and mail it back to them, after which they would submit it to the banks fraud department. They then informed me that they couldnt do anything about reissuing a new check while this process would take place, which typically took 90 days before they would hear anything. Ive been keeping up with my payroll contact periodically every few weeks for updates, but have still heard nothing. My issue here, somewhat obviously, is that I feel as though Im having my paid withheld from me to no fault of my own. Both the bank and the payroll company have it on their own records that I did not deposit this check. Ive taken legal responsibility on myself and notarized an affidavit to that effect. Does this not violate CA law regarding being paid under a certain time limit? Ive gotten little to no further clarification from the payroll company aside from This is our policy, even after admitting they are aware I was not involved or authorized that deposit. Do I have any recourse here? Is this violating any labor laws, and would I be better served going directly to the labor board regarding this issue? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Working freelance its important to me that Im paid in a timely manner for days worked, so Im tearing out my hair a little here.  <response>: Most labor laws refer to W-2 employees not freelance. You will need to check with CA laws on contact labor.Both you and the company were frauded. You by not getting the check. Them by the bank paying out the check. An investigation needs to be done. How long that takes I dont know? Sadly delays in getting paid is part of the risk you take being a freelancer. That is why you need a good savings to carry you through. 