Adventures in Banking

[rainydayplay]

My dad had surgery on his arm Tuesday to repair a severed rotator cuff and bicep. He was instructed not to drive while on his pain medication, and he really didn't feel up to going anywhere, anyway. He sent me, with a note, on Thursday to pick up his paycheck. Friday, he sent me to the bank with his paycheck and a deposit slip. He wanted $200 in cash back.

Now, I told him that they weren't going to let me have the money. He said that I should be able to sign under his name and get the money. No problem, right?

At 9:30, I was in his bank. As my name is not on the account, I couldn't get the $200. Okay. I expected this. No prob. I don't think my bank would allow this either. I told the teller about what he'd said about signing under his name. I don't have an account there...they would allow it ONLY if I had an account. Okay, fine. Just as I thought. There are other ways to get his money. Not a problem.

Well, he needed the money for something he's doing today. (The just in case I think I might want to buy something...I'd rather have cash money.) Okay. I have money. Take this money; pay me back later. No...he'd rather I get the money out of his account, so he sends me back to town to get a check from Mom.

"Are they going to let me cash it?" I asked before venturing back out to the bank. Mom assures me that they should -- or they'd better. Whatever.

I get in line at the drive through when it dawns on me that might be a mistake. But wait...there are no signs saying the drive through is exclusively for bank account holders...maybe I can get away with it. No... I am informed that not only do I have to go inside, but I also have to have TWO forms of ID, and she tells me a list of things that qualify as a second form of ID.

Now, it's after 12, I have other things I'd like to be doing, and I'm really getting annoyed. But I trek back inside the bank. When I get to a teller, I give her a choice for her second form of ID. But now I have to have two forms of ID and a thumbprint. And the teller doesn't have anything to take a thumbprint with. She looks around her desk, then looks around and just stands there, waiting for the woman at the next desk to be finished with what she's doing so she can ask about where she can get stuff for a thumbprint. After a minute or so...I'm beyond annoyed, so I tell her to just give me the check and my ID back. "I just have to get a thumbprint!" I've been trying all morning to get this money for my father who is laid up at home after having surgery. I can give him the cash out of my vacation money, and go later to my own bank (over 30 miles away...they really need a local branch!) and cash the check.

Their answer was simply...you should either have your name on your parents' account (because one day they will be old and feeble anyway -- yes I was told this!) or an account at our bank, because we really aren't going to let you handle anyone else's business otherwise.

Now, I understand privacy, security and all that. The first reaction (I can only completely deposit the check) I fully expected. I'm cool with that. But my mother wrote a check out to me from an account written on your bank, and I can't cash it? I'm pretty sure that if I wrote you a check on my account, and you showed up at my bank with your driver's license, they would cash the check for you. (And if not, if they required a thumbprint, I'm pretty sure they would be prepared and have everything they need onhand and not need to go searching the building to find one.) In case you're wondering, yes, I am going to ask!

My mother wrote an email about the situation to the bank's customer service department, and the response she received was "While we would hate to lose you as a customer, we understand if you feel the need to take your business somewhere that better suits your needs." To both of us, that feels like "don't let the door hit you on your way out."

Sorry for the vent. I just wonder if anyone else feels like this was a bit too much of a hassle to cash a check, or what the policies are at other banks. How hard should it be to cash a check?

 

[IDoDis]

Why didn't your dad just give you his debit card and pin#? That would have been the easiest solution.

I understand your frustration, but with all of the bank check cashing fraud that goes on these days, banks have tightened security measures which is a good thing.

Also, don't put your name on their checking account, because of tax purposes. Your name would be attached to a 1099 form that goes to the IRS, so you'd have to claim the interest in his account under "other income."

 

[allison443]

That was way too complicated. It does sound frustrating, especially because you were just trying to help your dad.

Does your dad have an ATM card? You could have deposited the check and got cash back.

Also, when your mom gave you the check made out to you, why didn't you put it in your own account and give them the cash from your own account?

 

[rainydayplay]

Sure...it would have been...IF he knew his PIN... If he can't use it like a CC and sign for it, he doesn't use it.

Easiest would have been for him to give his check to Mom...who is on the account and has power of attorney... Somehow, I just don't think we were going for easy, but neither did we expect the level of security.

My grandparents occassionally pay me for doing housework with a check. I can just pop down to their bank, show my driver's license, and get the cash, no problem.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If you can, open the SMALLEST POSSIBLE no-fee account that bank has - maybe a checking account with a $25 minimum? Savings account with a $10 minimum? Then you're a bank customer, and voila! No more hassles!

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

I'm sorry for your frustration and I hope your dad feels better soon... but the only thing in that entire post that I have a problem with is that the teller couldn't find the ink to do the thumbprint.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

Also, don't put your name on their checking account, because of tax purposes. Your name would be attached to a 1099 form that goes to the IRS, so you'd have to claim the interest in his account under "other income."

Being joint on an account does not make you liable for the interest. The owner (the first person who is listed on the account) will get the 1099. If there is more than one person on the account, they aren't all going to have to pay the tax.

 

[Pakey]

Neither the bank where my personal accounts are nor the bank where my company's accounts are will cash checks if you do not have an account with them unless you are willing to pay a check cashing fee.

On the corporate accounts, the company had the option of having the check cashing fees deducted from our accounts if we wanted to allow our checks to be cashed at our bank (we have thousands of employees who were going to our bank to cash their payroll checks), but we opted not to do this.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

My dad had surgery on his arm Tuesday to repair a severed rotator cuff and bicep. He was instructed not to drive while on his pain medication, and he really didn't feel up to going anywhere, anyway. He sent me, with a note, on Thursday to pick up his paycheck. Friday, he sent me to the bank with his paycheck and a deposit slip. He wanted $200 in cash back.

Now, I told him that they weren't going to let me have the money. He said that I should be able to sign under his name and get the money. No problem, right?

At 9:30, I was in his bank. As my name is not on the account, I couldn't get the $200. Okay. I expected this. No prob. I don't think my bank would allow this either. I told the teller about what he'd said about signing under his name. I don't have an account there...they would allow it ONLY if I had an account. Okay, fine. Just as I thought. There are other ways to get his money. Not a problem.

Well, he needed the money for something he's doing today. (The just in case I think I might want to buy something...I'd rather have cash money.) Okay. I have money. Take this money; pay me back later. No...he'd rather I get the money out of his account, so he sends me back to town to get a check from Mom.

"Are they going to let me cash it?" I asked before venturing back out to the bank. Mom assures me that they should -- or they'd better. Whatever.

I get in line at the drive through when it dawns on me that might be a mistake. But wait...there are no signs saying the drive through is exclusively for bank account holders...maybe I can get away with it. No... I am informed that not only do I have to go inside, but I also have to have TWO forms of ID, and she tells me a list of things that qualify as a second form of ID.

Now, it's after 12, I have other things I'd like to be doing, and I'm really getting annoyed. But I trek back inside the bank. When I get to a teller, I give her a choice for her second form of ID. But now I have to have two forms of ID and a thumbprint. And the teller doesn't have anything to take a thumbprint with. She looks around her desk, then looks around and just stands there, waiting for the woman at the next desk to be finished with what she's doing so she can ask about where she can get stuff for a thumbprint. After a minute or so...I'm beyond annoyed, so I tell her to just give me the check and my ID back. "I just have to get a thumbprint!" I've been trying all morning to get this money for my father who is laid up at home after having surgery. I can give him the cash out of my vacation money, and go later to my own bank (over 30 miles away...they really need a local branch!) and cash the check.

Their answer was simply...you should either have your name on your parents' account (because one day they will be old and feeble anyway -- yes I was told this!) or an account at our bank, because we really aren't going to let you handle anyone else's business otherwise.

Now, I understand privacy, security and all that. The first reaction (I can only completely deposit the check) I fully expected. I'm cool with that. But my mother wrote a check out to me from an account written on your bank, and I can't cash it? I'm pretty sure that if I wrote you a check on my account, and you showed up at my bank with your driver's license, they would cash the check for you. (And if not, if they required a thumbprint, I'm pretty sure they would be prepared and have everything they need onhand and not need to go searching the building to find one.) In case you're wondering, yes, I am going to ask!

My mother wrote an email about the situation to the bank's customer service department, and the response she received was "While we would hate to lose you as a customer, we understand if you feel the need to take your business somewhere that better suits your needs." To both of us, that feels like "don't let the door hit you on your way out."

Sorry for the vent. I just wonder if anyone else feels like this was a bit too much of a hassle to cash a check, or what the policies are at other banks. How hard should it be to cash a check?

The only issue is that the teller couldn't find her ink pad for the thumb print. Everything else that happened would be normal at any bank that I have ever worked at. Some are a little easier than others. I work for a community bank now that if your Dad had called and said "hey I'm laid up from surgery, my daughter is going to deposit my check and is it ok to for her to get cash back?" We would have made an exception. But most larger banks won't do that. We also only require one form of ID to cash a check and don't do thumb prints.

We have people attempt some kind of check fraud almost daily

 

[Allison]

No, I don't feel it was too much hassle at all by the bank. I agree with their procedures.

I spent a lot of time a few months ago dealing with fraudulent checks and it was a huge pain in the behind.

 

[rainydayplay]

That was way too complicated. It does sound frustrating, especially because you were just trying to help your dad.

Does your dad have an ATM card? You could have deposited the check and got cash back.

Also, when your mom gave you the check made out to you, why didn't you put it in your own account and give them the cash from your own account?

I started my bank account when I was away in college. I love everything about my bank...except that the closest branch is 30+ miles away. My paycheck is direct deposited, so it usually isn't a problem. I have cash on-hand and would willingly have given the money then cashed the check the next day when I was near the bank, but that wasn't what he wanted me to do. (You know...some people feel their way is the right way. No other deviations will do...)

He has a debit card, but he doesn't know his PIN.

If you can, open the SMALLEST POSSIBLE no-fee account that bank has - maybe a checking account with a $25 minimum? Savings account with a $10 minimum? Then you're a bank customer, and voila! No more hassles!

Last I checked, they don't have an account I'm eligible for that doesn't come with some sort of fee. When this particular company took over from the previous owners, my parents' account had over $10/month in fees. At my bank, I have an account with no fees + free checks + unlimited check writing + if I pay an ATM fee, I can present the receipts and get the fee I paid back. I can't imagine paying fees. I do agree that I need a local bank account...just...with a different bank.

I'm sorry for your frustration and I hope your dad feels better soon... but the only thing in that entire post that I have a problem with is that the teller couldn't find the ink to do the thumbprint.

That was the final straw for me, anyway. I mean, okay...a lot of banks want non-account holding customers inside. They just post signs saying such. I was a little iffy about two forms of ID -- if I stole your wallet and present your driver's license as my ID, what makes me showing someone a credit card with your name on it more proof that I'm you? I mean...drivers license has a picture and a signature. Credit card has a name. I just don't get how it's a vaild form of ID. But standing there like a deer in the headlights because you don't have an ink pad and thinking I'm going to stand there and wait while you stare at another person hoping they will get the telepathic message that you need help RIGHT NOW. Uh... there's something wrong with that. But I think there is more wrong with Mom being told "We understand if you want to go elsewhere." I'm not expecting restitution or anything stupid. But, you know... "Sorry you and your family experienced such frustration over this situation, we do these measures because our best interest is protecting your account, here's a list of things you can do to make the experience better should this ever become a concern again."

Neither the bank where my personal accounts are nor the bank where my company's accounts are will cash checks if you do not have an account with them unless you are willing to pay a check cashing fee.

On the corporate accounts, the company had the option of having the check cashing fees deducted from our accounts if we wanted to allow our checks to be cashed at our bank (we have thousands of employees who were going to our bank to cash their payroll checks), but we opted not to do this.

As long as it's not an exorbitant fee, I'd have been okay with a fee. That sounds reasonable to me. "You don't have an account here...so please compensate us for helping you." I get that.

 

[rainydayplay]

The only issue is that the teller couldn't find her ink pad for the thumb print. Everything else that happened would be normal at any bank that I have ever worked at. Some are a little easier than others. I work for a community bank now that if your Dad had called and said "hey I'm laid up from surgery, my daughter is going to deposit my check and is it ok to for her to get cash back?" We would have made an exception. But most larger banks won't do that. We also only require one form of ID to cash a check and don't do thumb prints.

We have people attempt some kind of check fraud almost daily

So it's that it's a larger bank, then (most likely)?

My grandfather had an issue with the same bank a couple of years ago. He went to buy something he'd won off an online auction site. He didn't read the fine print that said he had to have a certified check or at least a letter from the bank stating the money was there. He called the bank, wound up with the corporate office several states away, and asked for a fax to prove he had the money. He was told it would take at least 24 hours because she would have to take it to a supervisor, the supervisor would have to write out a fax request that would go to the fax department. The person there would have to take it to a supervisor...the list of paperwork and such went beyond that. They instead went to a local bank, were able to get the money they needed in cash with no trouble, and return to pay for the item in cash. (Which, personally, I think he should have taken cash to begin with. Problem solved.) The biggest hurt for my grandfather was that bank branch in town was started in the 1930s by his father, and his personal account was one of the first accounts in that bank. Even though the bank had changed hands over the years (it was owned by a regional bank for as long as I could remember before the national chain bought it out), he still thought of it as the same bank that his daddy had once been president of many, many, many years ago. Pointing out that it's different now does no good.

 

[MushyMushy]

Having just done some banking for my laid-up father, I feel your pain! Thankfully, my sister and I do have power of attorney, so it wasn't impossible, just time consuming and tedious.

When they do start to decline, you might want to go ahead and get a POA written up. It can be kept in a safe place at your parents' house until you really need to use it, but it makes dealing with things so much easier when they are unable to.

 

[celestialred]

I'm sorry you had to go through all that rigamarole. But I'm in agreement with others that stated the only issue was the lack of thumbprint materials (I spent 6 yrs in the Credit Union industry and I've seen check fraud and Western Union fraud that would make your hair curl). I know how easy it is to lose your patience in that situation but if you would have waited a bit longer you'd have that money for your dad. My dh has used his mom's Visa Check Card to do ATM deposits and withdrawals for her while she was sick. And it's a sucky conversation to have to have with them but if you are going to be doing this for them more often, it's time to have him get his PIN reassigned on his card so he/you can use it at the ATM. Looking more long-term, as far as being put on their account, I advise against it, or having it only be a temporary thing. As I've learned with dealing with MIL's finances and having to get her on Medicaid, if your folks end up needing to go on this (and I don't wish dealing with that bureaucracy on my worst enemy), your income can be counted as part of their assets and affect their eligibility. Your best bet would be to get a durable POA (both financial and medical).

 

[bballmom56]

I know, it is more difficult these days. I get a check every 2 months from someone who has bounced checks on me before. So now I take it to her bank (the bank the check was drawn on) and have them cash it, then take the cash to my bank and deposit it. I don't incur any fees that way. I was floored the first time I cashed it - yes, 2 forms of ID (ok), but the thumb print thing got me. I didn't realize that was standard now. But now I have the procedure down.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

So it's that it's a larger bank, then (most likely)?

Yes, most likely because (I'm assuming) it's a large national bank (I'm thinking probably Chase, Wachovia, B of A, or one of those big ones). Some of the regional banks can be tough too, but bottom line the smaller community banks generally have more flexibility when it comes to taking care of customer's needs. Basically the larger bank's agenda is to get the customer to quit using the branch and instead do their banking through ATM's and online. It is much more profitable for them that way, they don't have to pay to keep employees and have all the overhead of having a branch to maintain.

 

[Mommee]

I was prepared for something similar when my grandpa wrote out checks to my non-account holding children for Christmas. We took them to his bank, and we were given no hassles whatsoever. She took my thumb print and driver's license, and had both the kids and me sign them. I was so relieved.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

I know it doesn't feel like it, and I understand that it's frustrating but ultimately they really are just protecting your dad. When I first got into banking, I was stunned by the fraud that was committed. Now, I just kind of expect it. Unfortunately, it just makes everything more difficult for everyone.

You might be able to have an account-specific Power of Attorney set up on his account, which would be done at the bank.

 

[rainydayplay]

One last reply, then I'm moving on. It's great to vent and get your issues out, but, as always, best to move on.

Thanks for the replies. I feel I've gotten the answer to my question: this is pretty much normal proceedure, unless it is a smaller bank. And, for the most part, no issues with the proceedure.

Although already frustrated by the time I reached the third teller, yes, I would have been fine if she were more prepared. Thumbprint, okay. Not really a problem. Although, some prior warning (i.e.: sign) would have been nice. Same with the drive through: most banks that don't want you coming through the drive trhough if you don't have an account have it visibly posted by the drive through.

I think the third teller could have handled it differently. She kept saying, "I have to get a thumbprint." She could have said she new or not used to working at that particular station and didn't know where the ink was kept or where to get a replacement, maybe I'd have been a little more patient. If she'd have spoken up to the lady she was waiting on and said "When you have a moment, I need a little help." You know..let the person know you're waiting instead of just waiting...they may have been available at that moment. But if we're just going to stand and act/look lost, I don't have to wait. There are other means to get what I want accomplished.

IF they decided to go to having you show two forms of ID and taking your picture...which, if handled correctly, would make for an easy way to give the police a picture instead of having to scan through the security cameras until you had the right person, blow up and touch up the picture, etc....it would be fine as long as the tellers had regular access to the device they are supposed to use and didn't have to find another person to tell them where it is, get it for them, whatever.

But I think the biggest issue is essentially being told that the bank doesn't value you as a customer. Like I said...doesn't have to be big apologies..but..we're sorry you were frustrated/upset/whatever with your experience, but here's why it was like it was. (Short concise explanation.) Not we understand if you want to take your business elsewhere.

It is what it is. It's done and over with now. God willing, my parents are still quite a ways from needing me to have power of attorney (but we're there with my grandparents, so I've already got loads of experience and information for when that comes.)

Thank you for your opinions, comments, etc.

 

[*pixie*dust*]

I have worked in financial institutions for 14 years. What you experienced is normal procedure. I have worked in large and small banks as well as in a credit union. Non Members or non account holders need to come into the office, have ID (sometimes two forms) and provide a thumbprint. I understand that you were frustrated but as others have said, the only real fault (and it was a small one) was that the teller didnt have an ink pad.