bank question

[pontifex]

tell me if this is normal or not.

I got to a bank that I am not a member of to cash a $10 rebate check today.
"We can't cash your check unless you are a member.", says the teller.

I rarely go to banks that I am not a member of so I don't know if this is normal or not.

 

[dullard]

That is fairly normal. If someone came in, gave them a fake check, how does the bank get their money back if you don't have an account for them to take it from?

 

[PowerMacG5]

It's normal. If the check bounces, the bank is out that money. Now if you are a member of the bank, they "cash" it against your account, so if the check bounces, they just take it from you.

 

[burntfish]

depends on the bank

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: dullard
That is fairly normal. If someone came in, gave them a fake check, how does the bank get their money back if you don't have an account for them to take it from?

even if i give them proof of id like my driver's license?

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: pontifex
even if i give them proof of id like my driver's license?

Yes, even then. Go to your own bank, or pay someone to cash it. That way they cover their losses if the check bounces. What will they do with a driver's license? Hire an attorney to sue you for $10? That isn't a profitable business plan.

 

[The Batt?sai]

sounds normal to me

 

[azoomee]

Its normal, I've done it before and gotten the same response.... could be pretty easy to setup a bank account with like $5 or something like that.

 

[mordantmonkey]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: dullard
That is fairly normal. If someone came in, gave them a fake check, how does the bank get their money back if you don't have an account for them to take it from?

even if i give them proof of id like my driver's license?

Yep. just cause they know who you are doesn't mean you won't try to scam them. I know $10 is paltry but it's just an across the board policy.
even if you are an account holder they won't cash a check for significantly more than what is in your account. standard banking policy.

 

[booger711]

afaik, it's like that mostly everywhere. go to your own bank.

 

[JS80]

A check is a piece of paper that anyone can print. There's no recourse if you're a fraud.

 

[skrilla]

Yep normal.

You could go to a check cashing place that would probably do it for a fee depending on the amount of the check. Target used to be a place that would cash checks for a fee, but not anymore.

edit - or your own bank I guess.

 

[pontifex]

i don't have a problem with taking it to my own bank, but with the flooding here in central pa, its would have been more convenient to cash it here near work. also, its only $10 so its not like i need it ina hurry or anything.

 

[QED]

Deposit it in your bank's ATM, FTW!

 

[bennylong]

That's normal. Why would they cash it for you? they take a lot of risk and get $5 to $10 in fee while cash cashing place can make hundreds just for cashing a check.