National City Bank being unfair, James St. Michigan

Banks usually put a temphold on checks then releases them even if the check has not cleared yet. It takes about 2 weeks before the checks officially come back as bogus, but the bank has already allowed you to take those funds from the account.

Its like the Lottery, Sweepstakes and Mystery Shopping Scam checks - the scammers tell you to wait for the check to clear then wire them the money - so they can steal your money from you plain and simple


Next time you get checks for that amount - you can call the banks the checks are from and ask them to verify - Your bank can also do it for you - BUT YOU HAVE TO ASK FIRST - without depositing them.

I suggest you read the information provided on the Federal Trade Commission Wbesite about counterfeit checks
Giving The Bounce To Counterfeit Check Scams
How to recognize, avoid, and report counterfeit check scams.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/articles/naps29.pdf

Per your account agreement it clearly states we are your collecting agent only. We have no way to verify if the checks are legit or not or how long it will take to clear. Could we call the bank on every single check deposited, yes but then the teller lines would be out the door, literally, consumers can actually do this themselves. When you endorse a check you acknowledge receipt and liability legally. So no there is nothing that can be done

But not by the bank.

You were ripped off by scammers. By any chance, did the person who sent you the checks request that you send some of that money back to him or to someone else?

Banks often make funds available for some of their customers before the check clears. If it turns out that the check is fraudulent, they can simply reverse it. As the account owner, you are responsible for what you deposit in your account. The bank is absolutely correct in this matter.

I do wish you the best of luck. I don't like to see people get ripped off but you should focus on the people who scammed you.

When depositing your checks, I do agree that your bank should of held those checks up to 10 days (depending the amount and if out of state).This would of not caused you any grief. When depositing a check into your account, it will show as part of you account balance, but not ready to use until it is posted.Was it posted to your account? Only then can you use it, not before. Since the checks are fraud and you did use the money, I am afraid that you do owe the bank back their money..I have never ever seen a bank not put a hold onto a out of state check..It's for their protection and yours..But remember that National City is going under, but it's the same with all banks..There is state and federal laws that has to be followed by all banks.