I have been a WAMU account holder for over 10 years. On 06-21-2008, I purchased a certified/offical check from WAMU in the amount of $9300.00. On 03-29-2010, I went into a Chase Branch and deposited the check into my account. The teller told me $5000.00 was available now and the $4300.00 would be available on 04-07-2010. A receipt was given to me. On friday 04-02-2010, I tried to use my debit card and it was declined. I then called the Chase customer service, I was told by the representative the cashiers check was returned. She could not give me a reason, she suggested I go into the branch were the check was deposited. Today 04-05-2010, I went into the Chase in Corona, Angelina Sanchez helped me. She stated she had received an email from the corporate office on 03-31-2010, stating all WAMU official/certifed checks and money orders purchased from WAMU prior to 09-20-2008 would not be payable. I would need to wait until May 15, 2010 to file my claim with the State of California or the FDIC. I would probably get my money sometime in June or July. I asked if I was ever notified of the above and she stated no she did not see anything that notified me. In my opinion this should not apply to my situation as I deposited the check on 03-29-2010 prior to the corporate email. Secondly why didn't Chase/WAMU notify the people that have these outstanding checks?? Now these checks are worthless and now we need to deal with the state which is in its own mess of its self.....
I'm thinking there are hundreds of people out there in the same sitiuation and they do not have a clue!!! CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT IS WHAT I AM THINKING.....I am going to write to the state, FDIC, CHASE and all the local news stations.
Robert
Irvine,#2Consumer Comment
Tue, April 06, 2010
You waited just over 21 months to deposit a $9300 check? This really falls under the WHY category.
Yes Chase did take over WaMu. This check was a WaMu Check not a Chase Check. I am sure that there was a period of time since they took over WaMu that they would cash the Check. But as part of the takeover, there was probably a time when the FDIC said that Chase no longer had to accept any WaMu items as part of the aquisition, thus closing the "books" on anything outstanding. Again it is 2010 and since the purpose of a Cashiers Check is primarily for quick clearing, you may be one of only a handful(and that may even be pushing it) of outstanding checks almost 2 years later.
Without knowing the exact details of the e-mail it is hard to say when that policy was actually issued. As she only received it on March 31st, there is no word as to when it became effective. The timing is interesting as the attempt at clearing the check could have caused them to re-send the notice out as a reminder of a policy that had been in effect for several months.
I believe that the only reason CA would be involved is for unclaimed funds. However the check is not YOUR account, it is the banks funds. So I doubt CA would be the route to go.
As for the FDIC, I would not wait until May 15th. Try to contact them now. The worst they would say is that you have to wait until May 15th..actually the worse they would say is that you waited too long. But they may help you out.
As for the suits, I doubt any suits would help you if the FDIC says you waited too long. As I believe that the FDIC would have presidence over a court(at least the lower courts) in this case. So Chase would bring that up and the judge would have to side with them. As that is the "law" and not what you "think" should be the case.
Good Luck.
Ronny g
North hollywood,#3Consumer Comment
Tue, April 06, 2010
As I can't imagine this actually happened to enough customers. It is most likely that not too many people purchase a check and deposit it 10 months later, much less coincidentally the DAY before a corporate email is sent to not make good on them.
Your situation may be unique. However you have very valid reason to be upset about this, and complain. I could see if this check was from anywhere else, but when Chase took over WAMU, surely that included it's customers as well, so why would they not make good on their own check from their own customer?
I don't know why the teller said you have to wait to file a claim, you should be able to do that whenever you want, not when they tell you to. I would start by asking Chase for a Federal Regulation dispute form E, and go from there. I understand your reluctance to deal with the state, I also live in Cali so that should be a last resort. Filing with the FDIC is a better option if the bank won't handle this in house. Filing with the FTC may not be a bad idea either as this is an unfair deal you are getting as a consumer and bank customer.
I would suggest a small claims suit which would not cost much to file, but it may limit the amount to can recover to less then what is owed, so that too should be a very last resort. If you want to file a full suit on your own, the attorney fees will eat a nice chunk of what you would recover.
I am a Chase customer myself and recent policy changes have led to virtually no more complaints regarding overdraft issues due to debit card use, but it seems they may be pulling other stunts to make up for it. Personally I have had a good experience with Chase so far, but I do not use the account too often, never use their checks, and keep a low balance for occasional debit card use. The free checking so far has remained completely free since I opened the account 6-7 months ago, even though the account had been as low as .05 cents for a majority of that time.
I deposited 2 out of town checks today with them and they told me it would clear by tomorrow, imagine that?