On April 14, a check which I received from Mineral Technologies, Inc. Was processed for payment through their bank, Wachovia Bank, NA. The check was in the amount of $2000.00 which I held for processing for three days as instructed by my bank (Eastern Bank, Salem, Massachusetts.)
On April 17, I spoke with "Joanna" at Eastern Bank who said the check was "okay to cash." On April 18 the check was returned by Wachovia Bank with a "Reason Code - S; Return to Maker."
I immediately contacted Wachovia Bank and spoke with the branch manager, Elaine Falco. She told me that the signature on the check was not an authorized user on that account.
I asked her, if that was the case, then why did Wachovia accept the check in the first place. She said she didn't know, and that "there may have been an error while processing the check but cut the conversation short and said regardless of what happened the check did not have sufficient funds and therefore the $2000.00 was my responsiblity to pay back to my bank.
I contacted the "Usa Consumer Complaints.com"; filed a complaint and the final decision was that the check was counterfiet, and Wachovia apologized for the "unfortunate circumstances, but was in no way responsible for my misfortune."
Please note, that I am not stupid (being a paralegal for over 20 years) and do not fall for "idiot scams", but this check "was valid", "okay to cash" and "enjoy your winnings!".
I also want to make clear that when Wachovia sent their final answer to my complaint they reiterated that the check was counterfiet but that John U. Surel, the signator, was the Senior Vice President of Mineral Technologies, Inc. Who denied any such knowledge of any such check.
My final argument is this: (1) If Wachovia knew that John U. Surel was not an "authorized signator" on the signature card in their files, why would they go ahead and process the check? (2) If Wachovia knew the check was counterfiet, how did they know and again, why did they process the check for payment? (3) If I have been "scammed", am I the only one responsible for this?
From the moment I filed my complaint, the President of Wachovia Bank, Sandra? Repeatedly sent "boilerplate responses." denying any liablity whatsoever but was "so sorry for my loss." Am I truly "screwed" or is their any help out there? (For the record, that check was a blessing to me and I used it to pay 2 months in advance on my rent.) Help?
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