The full amount of this bond can be cashed in 17 years, although the bond can continue to accrue interest for another 13 years.
Only Series HH bonds, which may only be cashed by the Federal Reserve, may not be cashed by a bank.
Bonds issued before that need only six months before they can be cashed in.
Points can be cashed in for merchandise, gift cards or major airline discounts.
Oftentimes when your account is illegally accessed, or a check that you did not write somehow gets cashed, it can take days, or even until your paper statement arrives in the mail, for you to notice what has happened.