I had the same thing happen to me with my University's Payroll Dept. I received a call from them enquiring as to why I had not picked up a payroll cheque from 4 months ago that was being held for pick-up. I was quite excited about the prospect of getting some additional $$$ unexpectedly so I headed right over to get my hands on the windfall.

I signed for it and as I was heading over to the bank machine on campus, I carefully tore of the perforations along the sides and opened up a cheque for 0.03 - yes 3 **** cents!

I pondered what my options were (given that my University frowns on cheques issued for less than $25) and decided to go to a teller and make the deposit anyways. We both laughed. I then faxed a copy of the stub to the Director of Payroll on campus altering her/him to this stupidity - theirs, not mine.