Can a bank employee do this?

It’s common for elderly people to get scammed. Taking out large sums of cash can send up red flags and the banker would likely have to fill out a suspicious activity report. Your dad is not money laundering but the banker could think he is because moving around large sums of cash is not normal.
Your dad needs to link his bank accounts online and transfer money that way.
 


He then recalled that when the employee walked out of the room to retrieve the cash he ripped up a piece of paper but he wasn't really thinking about it at the time.
Now he realizes that must have been the slip with the account number of the account he wanted it taken out of...

The other employee clearly did this on purpose and did not inform my dad what he was doing.

I expect he only ripped up the paper because they're trained not to leave written account numbers where someone could see them.

That said, I bet I can guess which bank it is! 😆 I also got sick of the constant pressure, and we opened a second checking account in a smaller, local bank. We still have the one with the big corporation because of the hassle of changing direct deposit and automatic payments, but I almost never go in there any more.
 
"He then recalled that when the employee walked out of the room to retrieve the cash he ripped up a piece of paper but he wasn't really thinking about it at the time."

"Now he realizes that must have been the slip with the account number of the account he wanted it taken out of."

Dad might be right, he might be wrong. The fat is, he does not really know what paper was being ripped up. Nor does he know why.

It is fait to judge actions and, even if mistakes are corrected, it is fair to judge mistakes.

It is not fair to assume motives. Maybe the teller is a jerk. Maybe he thinks he is the only one who knows what is right for your father. Maybe he is overstepping. But maybe the bank actually did not have enough cash on hand to fulfill the order AND have enough on hand for other customers. Maybe he ripped up a piece of scrap paper t throw away his gum. Maybe he ripped up the deposit slip so that the account number would not be easily compromised.

From the information provided, we really cannot attribute motive for any of the actions taken.
 
I also worked for a bank, it was about 17 years ago now so things may have changed, but back then, the lead teller had to print a cash tracker report every so often. The bank kept track of how much cash came in and how much went out. They did NOT want us having too much cash laying around.

It was monitored so closely that sometimes we had trouble having enough cash on hand for me to be able to fill up the ATM sufficiently for a holiday weekend because we might run out of cash at the counter.

So no, it is not "utterly ridiculous" that wanting to withdraw $7500 in cash with no notice would have caused problems for the bank. It very well may have. It does seem unnecessarily complicated and convoluted to do it the way your Dad is doing it. I'm going to make a few assumptions here. He likely has different banks because he has more than the FDIC insured limit and didn't want to have too much in one bank. If that's the case, fine. But even if that is the reason why on earth would he not have a checking account at that bank even if just to write checks to pay his taxes directly rather than running it through different accounts. Banks are trained to look for money laundering and bank fraud and having large amounts of cash in and out like that is a red flag. Surely setting it up eletronically somehow would be better for everyone. But at the very least, he should give them a call a few days in advance so they can plan to have that much cash on hand.
I was about to type pretty much the exact thing for all of your points!
 
I was about to type pretty much the exact thing for all of your points!

Worst job I ever had. So many people yelling at me because I asked to check their ID when they were withdrawing cash and refusing to sign a check they wanted to cash and then immediately turn around and deposit the cash making twice as much work for me because they flat our refused to understand that the check would become available in their account at midnight and only AFTER that would any withdrawls come out so no, they would not be overdrawn. Just.....ugh.
 
It sounds mostly like your dad is stubborn and doesn't consider that banks have procedures to follow for a lot of good reasons. Most of us are saying the same things, but it doesn't sound like that will change anyone's view. Money sitting around in some 'cash account' in a bank earns virtually ZERO. Since it sounds like there is a sizable amount of money involved across his various accounts (perhaps well over $100,000), hopefully you (or he) realizes there are various places to park funds and still earn interest without any investment risk. An obvious one is the Treasury website where you can buy bills/bonds/CD's online directly from your bank account with maturity dates from 4 weeks to 30 years with NO risk. The money will automatically appear back in your bank account on the maturity date you have chosen. (There are many others who offer CD's, this is just one example).
 
I wouldn't read much into the ripping up of the slip. Like @PollyannaMom noted, it was highly likely for security reason. I've worked in the financial industry for nearly 3 decades and there are usually very strict rules regarding documentation with client sensitive information. Anything like what was ripped would normally be required to be locked up or shredded.

The withdrawal from the incorrect account is the issue of greatest concern for me. If it was deliberate, which may be hard to prove, you've got a potential internal fraud matter on your hands. Although, I don't know what the bank would have had to gain from this scenario. If it was taken from the wrong account, which seems more likely, you probably have a scenario where you'd need to work with the bank to ensure some sort of internal adjustment is processed so that the transactions appear from the correct accounts...especially if there are any tax reporting matters in the mix. Not seeing their systems, I have no idea how easy it might be to process from an incorrect account for the correct client. I do know this is why many firms push for some form of consolidation unless there are considerable differences in account types that may have certain benefits or allowances for the client to justify multiple accounts.

As others have noted, large cash withdrawals are a security issue. So, I'm sure there are limits and red flag warnings in place if a client processes a risky transaction. On top of that, if age is a factor, most branches of the financial industry are required to screen for potential elder abuse and fraud before clearing something with the hallmarks of being questionable. Even if these transactions are the norm for him, the bank is likely required to get on board for proper checks and balances on these matters to ensure they're in security related compliance.
 
What about this...

The withdrawal slip was torn up for security reasons. Whoever make the actual withdrawal grabbed the wrong account (which was on the slip, but already destroyed) because they didn't know. So yea, bank error. They shouldn't have destroyed the slip until the transaction was done OR, if they needed to clarify, check with the customer. But, innocent mistake. Worth pointing out to a manager that the wrong account was used, which it sounds like was already done.

Occam's Razor.

Nah, has to be the clerk had it out for the customer and intentionally grabbed from the wrong account.
 
We have a substantial amount of money in our regular bank, and I get the same sales pitch every time I go to the bank. They want to put the money in their investment branch. I just politely say no every time - and tell them Charles Schwab handles our investments. Not sure that is being a jerk - I would assume they are told to try and get business for their investment branch.

I also withdraw large sums of money pretty regularly. They have never told me no or that there isn’t enough money for me to withdraw. They do want to see my ID every time.

I would not get upset if money was taken out of the wrong account. It is super simple to transfer money internally between accounts. Not sure it would be sinister if the bank employee took from the wrong account. He could have simply hit the wrong button on his computer. Easy fix.
 
I just politely say no every time - and tell them Charles Schwab handles our investments. Not sure that is being a jerk -

From how you describe it, no.

From how the OP describes their father OTOH... The whole "get even" mentality is not usually perceived as cute or funny by anyone on the receiving end - or anyone not connected with the person displaying that mentality.
 
Yesterday his bank statement came and it showed the cash was taken out of a different savings account than what was on the slip he gave them.
He NEVER takes money from that account and doesn't even know what that account number is without looking it up.
Did he not receive a transaction receipt with the withdrawal? That should have listed the account number. If my receipt had an account number that I didn't recognize, I'd be mentioning it before leaving the bank.
 
Yes banks do run low on Cash at times. I give my staff Christmas bonuses and sometimes have to go to many banks to get enough cash. I have also had cash amounts get put into the wrong account or the incorrect amount was added. I always look at my receipts and make sure they are correct before leaving the bank. Mistakes happen. I think it best to assume it was a mistake and move on.
 
Yes banks do run low on Cash at times. I give my staff Christmas bonuses and sometimes have to go to many banks to get enough cash. I have also had cash amounts get put into the wrong account or the incorrect amount was added. I always look at my receipts and make sure they are correct before leaving the bank. Mistakes happen. I think it best to assume it was a mistake and move on.
To save yourself from going to multiple banks, just call your favorite branch and give them 3 or 4 days notice. They can have any amount on hand if they know, and of course if you have it in your account. In today's world, it isn't even safe for banks to keep large sums of money on hand if they don't anticipate needing it. Banks actually plan to have more money on hand the first Friday of each month (hello SS) and usually up their "stash" as it gets closer to holidays especially Christmas.
 
I think, if this was my father I'd ask him what the withdrawal slip said when he got the money out, in other words - was the right account number on it? If the wrong account number was on it and my father missed it then it would have been on him. If the slip had the correct account number and the bank still moved it from the wrong account then I'd say my father was correct in his assessment of the situation. Now - I know not all banks give a withdrawal slip when getting $$$ out, ours does if I ask or if I'm doing a combo of things.
Next I'd set it up so he can do it electronically - and if he didn't like that at least get it set up and he can walk into the bank branch and sit in a office and have a bank officer do the transfer for him. Or he can call them and do it over the phone. That way he's not walking around - even if for just a short time - with so much cash on him so often.

I'll just say this, my folks are in their mid-70's and of sound mind & physically health. But my Mom is quick to perceive that someone isn't taking her seriously/treating her fairly/doing right by her and -honestly - she's wrong about it a fair bit. I've had to tell her more than once that no, the cashier at Publix did not get up that morning intending to put your milk in the same bag as your bottle of windex and they probably just weren't thinking about it, and it isn't a slight against her!

Why yes, yes I DID just spend a week visiting my parents - can you tell?!?!?!? :rolleyes: :cool: :rolleyes:
 
Did he not receive a transaction receipt with the withdrawal? That should have listed the account number. If my receipt had an account number that I didn't recognize, I'd be mentioning it before leaving the bank.
I think, if this was my father I'd ask him what the withdrawal slip said when he got the money out, in other words - was the right account number on it? If the wrong account number was on it and my father missed it then it would have been on him. If the slip had the correct account number and the bank still moved it from the wrong account then I'd say my father was correct in his assessment of the situation. Now - I know not all banks give a withdrawal slip when getting $$$ out, ours does if I ask or if I'm doing a combo of things.
Next I'd set it up so he can do it electronically - and if he didn't like that at least get it set up and he can walk into the bank branch and sit in a office and have a bank officer do the transfer for him. Or he can call them and do it over the phone. That way he's not walking around - even if for just a short time - with so much cash on him so often.

I'll just say this, my folks are in their mid-70's and of sound mind & physically health. But my Mom is quick to perceive that someone isn't taking her seriously/treating her fairly/doing right by her and -honestly - she's wrong about it a fair bit. I've had to tell her more than once that no, the cashier at Publix did not get up that morning intending to put your milk in the same bag as your bottle of windex and they probably just weren't thinking about it, and it isn't a slight against her!

Why yes, yes I DID just spend a week visiting my parents - can you tell?!?!?!? :rolleyes: :cool: :rolleyes:

I just went and checked myself. The receipt from last week does indicate it was taken out of the account he wanted it taken out of so he would have had no idea that it was taken out of the wrong one until he saw his statement.

BTW I've witnessed this employee hassle him about the account when I've gone into the bank to do something and he has come with me. Like we were not even there for his banking and the employee was barely talking to me about my transaction and was like ya know we could do xyz with that big account and it would only take a few minutes. And when he said no then he told me that I should convince him to do it. I just said no he can make his own financial decisions.
 
Your dad can move his money to another bank. My husband threatened to move one our accounts to another bank because they would not renew the CDs for our grandchildren at the advertised rate -they said it was for "new" accounts. He said fine, I want to withdraw all the money from this account- I will be by tomorrow for my cashier's check-they called him back in less than 5 minutes saying that they would renew our grandchildren's CDs at the advertised rate.
 
But to give an example of my dad's mindset...
When he was young he went to purchase a car and said he wanted to pay xyz. The dealership said you can't even afford this car if we gave you that price.
My dad went to the dealership down the road and bought the same car for the price he wanted and then drove it to the dealership that turned him away and asked how they liked his new ride.
So like I said doesn't get mad gets even haha.

That's butthole behavior right there.
 
I think that your dad is making this all way more complicated for himself.

For example:
If funds he wanted to withdraw from account #1 and deposit in account #2 are such that both accounts are at the same bank, then guess what? You can do a transfer ONLINE and you don't have to go into the bank.

If Account #1 and Account #2 are different banks, then you can do a wire transfer between the 2 accounts. Eliminates the foolishness of physically going into 2 banks and dealing with bank employees who your dad feels are rude/snarky/frustrating to deal with.

However, if your dad is like my MIL was, he will probably refuse to do it that way because he wants to do it his way. Like Burger King where they make it your way. As a result, your dad's frustrations will continue.

I would bet you money that maybe your dad got kind of rude with the bank employees and that isn't going to help him much in the future. There's probably another side to the story.
 
Your dad can move his money to another bank. My husband threatened to move one our accounts to another bank because they would not renew the CDs for our grandchildren at the advertised rate -they said it was for "new" accounts. He said fine, I want to withdraw all the money from this account- I will be by tomorrow for my cashier's check-they called him back in less than 5 minutes saying that they would renew our grandchildren's CDs at the advertised rate.

My dad told me he likely will take his money to another bank after he pays off the mortgage in December.
When he got the mortgage it was a small local bank that was great to work with. Through the years they got too big and then had to sell to another more well known bank. Then that bank got too big and messed up and then had to sell to an even bigger more well known bank. And that is when the hassling began.
 
I’ve just returned to working in a bank after a 19 year gap. I get the feeling as other posters have said that your Dad has perceived that the teller has an attitude, you have let your father’s belief colour your perspective and finally, the teller is just doing their job. Tellers have KPI targets to make plus we do try to tell customers about better options. Telling him about different bank accounts is covering both of those tasks. There’s nothing nefarious.

The customer doesn’t always know best and there are always 3 sides to a story - yours, theirs with the truth somewhere on the middle.
 















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