This is an unusual rip off for sure. I have been a usbank customer for 5 months. In that time I have never done anything that would give this bank the idea that I might commit fraud.
I deposited a check and a 5 business day hold was placed on the check. Unfortunately the check was returned for NSF (non sufficient funds). The bank decided there was fraud on my account so they have blocked my card and they are closing my account.
I am not interested in opening a new account. They did not have the courtesy to call me, email me, or otherwise notify me. I only found out by trying to use my debit card. My transaction kept declining. I logged into my online banking and saw the funds were infact there. I went to the bank and found out they are closing my account because "they think there was fraudulant activity" Obviously I am not happy.
They have at the very least inconvienienced me and made me feel like they do not really care about their customers. They can block my account with out notice and close it with out permission but they want me to wait for my money? I have a positive balance and I should not have to wait for a penny of it. This bank definitely is not worthy of my trust anymore.
angela
Canton,#2Author of original report
Thu, October 10, 2013
the bank is the only one I'm letting off the hook. The person who gave me the check is in for a nasty surprise when the police want to talk to them about that check. I definitely won't be accepting checks when I sell a car in the future. This is entirely too much hassle to go through to take that risk a second time.
Robert
Irvine,#3Consumer Comment
Thu, October 10, 2013
They just saw that large check that bounced and because my account is so new they felt there was insuffient history of those types of deposits and it was more risk than the bank wanted to take.
- Not really wanting to "toot my own horn", but just noting that is almost word for word what I mentioned as the reason. So just think about how much else I said may have been correct as well.
As for "letting this go" I really hope you mean in terms of just the bank. Because remember you received an NSF check..this is considered FRAUD and it is a very good possibility that the person who gave you that check comitted a crime. Don't beleive me..contact your local DA's office and ask for their "Check Restitution" division..most major cities will have one.
At the very least don't let them off by just giving you another check. For one..that one may bounce as well. But because by law in most states you are also allowed to charge them any fees that were caused by this. In your case you may be able to claim any costs involved with the bank closing your account. In some areas you are actully able to claim additional damages that could be a set amount up to 3 times the amount of the check. So before you let it go..it may be to your advantage to at least investigate this further.
angela
Canton,#4Author of original report
Wed, October 09, 2013
after speaking to the lady on the phone she explained things a bit more clearly. I thought I was being accused of fraud but that is not the case. They just saw that large check that bounced and because my account is so new they felt there was insuffient history of those types of deposits and it was more risk than the bank wanted to take. The fraud department only got involved to investigate weather or not there was fraud and from what they explained to me this is for both my protection and the bank's. I can understand and respect that so now I can feel comfortable letting this go.
angela
Canton,#5Author of original report
Wed, October 09, 2013
The check was for a large amount and it was for a legitimate purpose. I sold a car and I was given a check written off of the person's credit card. There was no wrong doing on my end so I should not have to put up with this from my bank. I probably will switch banks anyway but on my terms not theirs. I called them out on twitter last night they want to call me later today and see if the issue can be resolved. They placed a 5 business day hold on that large check and the night before it bounced they blocked my card, they unblocked it the next day, then they blocked it again the next morning after I withdrew 900.00 from my account and I still have a positive balance. Given that it has been mentioned that this is a typical way the bank sees fraud I can understand some of the situation but I know that I am not a fraudster and the bank knows I am not a fraudster. They have no business closing my account and they know it.
Hopefully by speaking with a usbank representative today I will get the problem solved and I will be able to come back here with a positive update.
Robert
Irvine,#6Consumer Comment
Wed, October 09, 2013
You have only been a customer for 5 months. A bank is not going to out of the blue just close an account for no reason. They obviously see things in your history that makes them think you are a risk. What specific thing that is, well in reality only they know for sure. But I bet if you really thought about it you would probably know as well.
First on the check. Where did you get this check? What was the check for? Was it from a legitimate business? A person? The reason this matters is because there is a lot of check fraud where people will send you a check, ask you to deposit it and send them money back through Western Union or something such as a Pre-Paid debit card. The problem is that the check is counterfeit and returned as unpaid. So if this is your case, there are too many warning signs that you should have picked up on. Such as for example if this was for a "mystery shopping" job you should have realized that no legitmate job like this would have you earn $200-$300 for what is less than an hours worth of work. Such as when you go to Western Union there are warnings all over their forms warning you of this exact type of scam.
So it is very possible that it was the source of the check that caused them to close your account.
Now, regardless of where the check came from, remember it was returned...this is considred a risk for a bank. For them to put a 5 day hold on your account it was either for a significant amount of money and/or you have had several overdrafts. If it was the later, this may be have been the "last straw" for them and they determined you to be a higher risk than they wanted.
They can block my account with out notice and close it with out permission but they want me to wait for my money?
- Yes, Yes, and Yes. But guess what...regardless of what bank you go to the same exact thing can happen. The reason they are making you wait is for one they don't know if you have any outstanding debits/checks that are coming in and need to be paid, for another remember they consider you a high risk so they are not going to "trust" you saying that you have no outstanding debits. Because while I am not saying this is the case with you, there are many people who in the same situation would take advantage of this.