Huntington National Bank ripoff for cashing a check Morgantown West Virginia
My daughter, a 20-year-old college student, receives a gift from her grandmother each month in the form a a check for $50, drawn on Huntington National Bank. Every month when she cashes these checks, the cashier keeps $5.00 for the privilege of cashing that check, simply because she does not have an account with them.
The cashier always tells my daughter that if she opens an account at that bank, there would be no charge for cashing her checks. My daughter has no need for a checking account at this stage of her life.
Also, my husband and I have a checking account at this bank. As my daughter has class three blocks away from there, it is convenient for her to cash a check for me now and again. In this instance also, we are charged the $5.00. These checks are drawn on HUNTINGTON BANK, and the money is there.
One time, my daughter received a check for $10, and, you guessed it, she was charged $5.00. We have never encountered this problem at another local bank that we use.
Is Huntington so desperate to make money that they have to resort to this despicable action? It is not as though the checks are drawn on other banks. They are drawn on accounts that have money in them at Huntington Bank.
Cindy
westover, West Virginia
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Bob
Albuquerque,New Mexico,
U.S.A.
Service Charge
#3Consumer Suggestion
Mon, May 01, 2006
I think you better teach your daughter about finances - she is losing 10% of her money. It is not a large amount but why not open a checking account, some banks have no minimum balance and no charges. Put in $10 and leave it there. Then she can cash her checks for free AND be building some her credit score. I don't know if Huntington Bank has no fee-free checking but if they do I would say have her open an account and destroy all the checks (eliminate temptation).
Robert
Wallingford,Connecticut,
U.S.A.
Most banks charge non customers.
#3Consumer Comment
Mon, May 01, 2006
It is very rare to find a bank that doesn't charge a fee for non-customers.
Some even require a thumb print.
It's pretty much an incentive for the person to open an account just like overdraft fees are an incentive not to spend more than what is in your account. That's how banks stay in business by generating new customers (as well as charging fees).
If there are other local banks that do not charge this fee, perhaps she should be cashing it there. Sometimes convenience costs.
Perhaps her grandmother could send her gift as a money order or a cashier's check instead of a personal check. Some banks will waive the fees for money orders and cashiers checks for senior citizens.
Just a few thoughts.
Good luck.