About a week ago, I glanced over my TCF checking account online. I noticed a substantial debit, named "Returned Deposited Item." Immediately, I called Customer Service. She insisted that I must have deposited a check in that amount, and this check has since been returned. Grinding my teeth, I told her three times that I never deposited such a check. Since it was after 5:00, she said she could not call the ATM department for assistance.
Due to my stupidity, I assumed this debit was a bank error, and let my account remain open. The next business day (three days later), I called again. This time, a phone rep told me the Research Department (not ATM dept.) needed to be contacted, but they were closed. She said she would complete a form requesting that the Research Dept. Look into this, and I would be contacted in 24-48 hours (that did not happen). She's another one who insisted that I must have deposited a check that got returned.
This went on, over and over, all week. More requests for the Research Department. But wait, there's more. I looked at my account again last week. There were now FIVE more "Returned Deposited Items" on my account, worth thousands of dollars. These five checks were all cashed on the same day. Obviously, someone was stealing from me. I closed the account.
I called Customer Service, and got yet another person who insisted that I must have deposited ALL of these bad checks, and now they are being returned! I had steam coming out of my ears! I asked her to look at her computer screen and tell me when I deposited all of these checks. Obviously, there never were any such deposits. She couldn't find any. So, logic would tell you that these checks are fraudulent. Therefore, I need help immediately. Oh my god. All she could tell me is that she would complete a form that asks the Research Department to look at this, and it would take 24-48 hours! Not again!
She broke down, called Research Dept, and got them to send her copies of the checks while I was on the phone. She said she would send them to my neighborhood branch. I went to that location, and the copies were not there, of course.instead, I got to deal with a rude, inept banker who insisted that I MUST have deposited all of these bad checks, although he could find no record of them ever being deposited. Did any of these idiots ever stop to think that there is more than one way a "Returned Deposited Item" notation can show up on someone's account?
Finally, I went home, found the first bad check in my mail box, sent by the bank. Not my signature on this check. Someone probably went from TCF to TCF, cashing these checks made out to "Cash", with my account number. I called Customer Service, and finally had the pleasure of talking with a wonderful woman, who was shocked to see that I had never deposited these checks. She was bright enough to suspect fraud. She then had her very nice supervisor call. She told me exactly what to do.
Went to the branch bank, talked with the manager, who said the check was a fake. He filled out alot of paperwork regarding fraud and forgery, and I think I'll be getting my money back.
Why, why, why did it take so long to reach someone with intelligence?! Why does TCF not have a system in place to rapidly help people in my situation? More importantly, HOW did TCF allow someone to cash multiple checks against my account without any verification? None of these checks have an employee's initials or the "customer's" drivers license number, etc. This might lead one to suspect that it was an inside job. Nonetheless, would it really be that easy for a TCF employee to do this?
This bank has been ridiculous from the beginning. I stayed only because it was so conveniently located.
0 comments