First Niagara Bank doesn't know how to deposit checks? Erie, Pennsylvania

Oh I wish you would move out here to Los Angeles...talk about stress???? If I could get anything for stress I would be a millionaire 10 times over and then some.

Anyhoo...lets get to the bottom of this.

If you did not overdraft...what is the difference when the check posted? Granted...it is pretty well established that banks do often "pend" transactions much longer then required or necessary...but as long as you did not spend against it until it clears...what is the difference? The banks leaving you with less funds then you "think" is available is nothing new...but this is if you are depending on the online statement and not your own records.

If you depend on what they tell you online or by calling..you are subjecting yourself to a royal shafting of epic proportions. Is this right???..HELL NO. But, you have a line of defense if you think about it. Generally, a check deposit (if the banks takes it) will post the next day. Both of my banks will post any check in before closing, by the next business day. So I like my current banks. However, I do not depend on them to be accurate as then when the account overdrafts they will tell you the old..."there is nothing we can do". So..we have to treat the bank like the ENEMY...and be on the defense. Do not gamble with "within $5.00 of what you think you should have"..know to the penny.

The words "within" and "think" and "should" will get you screwed in a major way with your bank. It is not a good defense. Hopefully you did not get scammed into signing up for any overdraft coverage with your debit card so at the very least you are protected from any fees via point of sale or ATM withdrawals.

And speaking of ATMs...do yourself a HUGE GIANT favor...do not deposit at an ATM..hand deliver it to a human teller and check the slip before you walk away.