A Nightmare Trying to Cash Foreign Currency Check

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Steven, why didn't you just pay it into Washington Mutual in the beginning? It would have taken a couple of days to clear, plus a small fee; but there would have been none of this bullcrap to deal with. I used to have a Washington Mutual account in Seattle, and they ran foreign checks through my account no problem. Same with BofA here.

It's awful what happened to Jinky; and my heart goes out to her. I hope she is OK; but reading your story here-her upsetting experience is partly your fault. Why would you have her and her young son trailing all over God's creation, having to deal with people like "Goose" over something that could have been sorted out at your branch of a well known bank? Didn't you advise Jinky what to do before hand? She is new here and I think the upsetting/humiliating/awful situation she ended up in is in a way your fault.

I hope all works out with the check and to Jinky and Job. I am sincerely sorry for her.

I know...I'm just kicking myself over this. WaMu told me, however, that they'd charge us $70 and then it would take up to 8 weeks.

[tmma 467]

Steven, why didn't you just pay it into Washington Mutual in the beginning? It would have taken a couple of days to clear, plus a small fee; but there would have been none of this bullcrap to deal with. I used to have a Washington Mutual account in Seattle, and they ran foreign checks through my account no problem. Same with BofA here.

It's awful what happened to Jinky; and my heart goes out to her. I hope she is OK; but reading your story here-her upsetting experience is partly your fault. Why would you have her and her young son trailing all over God's creation, having to deal with people like "Goose" over something that could have been sorted out at your branch of a well known bank? Didn't you advise Jinky what to do before hand? She is new here and I think the upsetting/humiliating/awful situation she ended up in is in a way your fault.

I hope all works out with the check and to Jinky and Job. I am sincerely sorry for her.

I know...I'm just kicking myself over this. WaMu told me, however, that they'd charge us $70 and then it would take up to 8 weeks.

Well, it's a 500 EUR check, yes? That's like what...Uhmmm...$800 or so--$70 is less than 10%....approx...Bof A do not charge me anything for negotiating a foreign check.

Best wishes anyway.

Edited January 5, 2008 by tmma

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Steve - can't Jinky's sister just cancel the confiscated check?

Sorry to hear about all this trouble.

[mawilson 2,133]

I know...I'm just kicking myself over this. WaMu told me, however, that they'd charge us $70 and then it would take up to 8 weeks.

As the saying goes, the cheap man pays twice.

[Fandango 1,440]

Everytime I see this thread, this is what I think of...

Meanwhile, what about a bank transfer? Paypal? $70 is certainly worth Jinky's comfort...and is cheaper than small claim court filing fees. If BoA or WaMu were charging that, it's not like 'Goose' would be cheaper!!!

Hopefully, Steven, this is a lesson to handle any big stuff so that it's not so scary for Jinky. I shudder to think of how I would have handled it had D put me in that situation in the UK...and we speak the same lang!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Steve - can't Jinky's sister just cancel the confiscated check?

Sorry to hear about all this trouble.

I'll definitely look into it if it is possible, but I thought since it is a bank draft (cashier's check), the money isn't coming out of her sister's account.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Steven, why didn't you just pay it into Washington Mutual in the beginning? It would have taken a couple of days to clear, plus a small fee; but there would have been none of this bullcrap to deal with. I used to have a Washington Mutual account in Seattle, and they ran foreign checks through my account no problem. Same with BofA here.

It's awful what happened to Jinky; and my heart goes out to her. I hope she is OK; but reading your story here-her upsetting experience is partly your fault. Why would you have her and her young son trailing all over God's creation, having to deal with people like "Goose" over something that could have been sorted out at your branch of a well known bank? Didn't you advise Jinky what to do before hand? She is new here and I think the upsetting/humiliating/awful situation she ended up in is in a way your fault.

I hope all works out with the check and to Jinky and Job. I am sincerely sorry for her.

I know...I'm just kicking myself over this. WaMu told me, however, that they'd charge us $70 and then it would take up to 8 weeks.

Well, it's a 500 EUR check, yes? That's like what...Uhmmm...$800 or so--$70 is less than 10%....approx...Bof A do not charge me anything for negotiating a foreign check.

Best wishes anyway.

Thanks. I know Western Union would have only charged about $24...the whole fiasco just snowballed.

I know...I'm just kicking myself over this. WaMu told me, however, that they'd charge us $70 and then it would take up to 8 weeks.

As the saying goes, the cheap man pays twice.

Ain't that the truth.

Hopefully, Steven, this is a lesson to handle any big stuff so that it's not so scary for Jinky. I shudder to think of how I would have handled it had D put me in that situation in the UK...and we speak the same lang!

I hear ya. She was pretty upset with me last night.

[natty bumppo 297]

Steve - can't Jinky's sister just cancel the confiscated check?

Sorry to hear about all this trouble.

I'll definitely look into it if it is possible, but I thought since it is a bank draft (cashier's check), the money isn't coming out of her sister's account.

Who was the check made payable too ... and did the payee sign the check?

Do you have the banking info for the check? Can it be reported lost/stolen?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Steve - can't Jinky's sister just cancel the confiscated check?

Sorry to hear about all this trouble.

I'll definitely look into it if it is possible, but I thought since it is a bank draft (cashier's check), the money isn't coming out of her sister's account.

Who was the check made payable too ... and did the payee sign the check?

Do you have the banking info for the check? Can it be reported lost/stolen?

It was made payable to my wife. I don't want to report it lost or stolen because that might confirm to the check cashing place that it is in fact a bad check and they could possibly press charges against Jinky. I'm not sure on that, but I don't want to take any chances. I'll see if they are going to willingly give us the check back in a timely manner first.

[natty bumppo 297]

Steve - can't Jinky's sister just cancel the confiscated check?

Sorry to hear about all this trouble.

I'll definitely look into it if it is possible, but I thought since it is a bank draft (cashier's check), the money isn't coming out of her sister's account.

Who was the check made payable too ... and did the payee sign the check?

Do you have the banking info for the check? Can it be reported lost/stolen?

It was made payable to my wife. I don't want to report it lost or stolen because that might confirm to the check cashing place that it is in fact a bad check and they could possibly press charges against Jinky. I'm not sure on that, but I don't want to take any chances. I'll see if they are going to willingly give us the check back in a timely manner first.

Report Goose stole it ... or just cancel the check (I know you've heard this before ... sorry)

And if it was not signed by J ... and Goose & Co cashs the check ... your turn to have fun ...

or

If the check was not signed ... and they keep it ... was there an expiration date printed on the check (you may need a new cheque cut anyway)

[Fandango 1,440]

Did J endorse the check??????????????????

[no name 1]

Did J endorse the check??????????????????

Yeah! If so, you may well be screwed....

[William33 110]

Oi so what's the update????

Can't believe this fell to page 2!!!!

One of the officers who took the initial call and was there, called me and told me that Goose called the police because he believed that Jinky was trying to pass a counterfeit check, however, he decided not to press charges, so now it's a civil matter and out of the police hands. I argued with him over the phone, saying that if he wouldn't press charges, then he can't take the check, but the officer insisted that it's now a civil matter....that I should take them to small claims if needed to get the check back. I felt defeated. I said that doesn't make sense...that a citizen has no protection from a place like that to just take a check and claim it's fraudulent. I told him there was no agreement of services...Jinky merely went in there to see how much it would cost and as soon as Goose looked at the check, he confiscated it. Once they realize it is legit, I don't want them cashing it for us and charging us some exorbitant fee because I don't want their service.

The guy is obviously an incompetent moron, but at the same time I can imagine those places see a lot of counterfeit checks. So I called the check cashing place this morning, explained what the Bank of Ireland told me (that is very much a legitimate check) and that I want the check back. She said someone would call me back, but the check was already forwarded to their corporate offices and that it may take a few days to have it sent back.

No one has called back yet and the Bank of Ireland is closed for the weekend. I have their fax number and I'm going to send them all the information along with the check cashing place's fax number and see if they can expedite the check being returned to us.

I just may have to settle this in small claims if they drag their heels. When the officers first arrived, they ordered Jinky up against the wall. She's 7 months pregnant! Job was crying.

This is probably what's gotten me down. It's just a f##ked up situation and it has drained me.

Steven,

It appears that you tried to do the right thing on this. I am surprised that goose - the flaming idiot - could not validate the check with watermarks, micro-printing and so forth, as non-negotiable "checks" are printed on regular paper.

I suggest you contact the corporate office and try to get validation on the check, then continue with getting it converted to USD. Why p1ss up a rope at this stage?

Get the check converted and move on. Oh and don’t forget to contact goose afterwards, to give him a piece of your mind.

[churipu 4]

Jinky should have known better...Goose crashed and died almost 22 years ago, just watch Top Gun if you don't believe me!!!

Jokes aside, I hope you guys can sort things out.

In Italy we have a saying for guys like Goose and his cop buddy... idiots' mom's unfortunately always pregnant

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Lesson here folks:

Never ever ever ever ever use one of these check cashing places. Not even to buy stamps. Their fees alone should deter you. This story should seal the deal.