Washington Mutual Complaint

WAMU accepts all stale dated checks... - Banking

9
Helpful Votes
Posted By: ljones on 11/1/2006

Location: houston, TX

I have been a customer w/WAMU for at least 6-7 yrs. The other day I went to check the balance on my account and discovered it was overdrawn. When I pulled up the detail on the account I discovered (to my horror) that they cleared a ($400) 2 1/2 year old stale dated check that I had initially put a stop payment on.

After several conversations with reps/managers over the phone I was told they will put it in for a 'dispute request' and that I will find out within 5-10 days whether they will investigate it or not till then I'm out my money. Not happy with that answer I walked into a branch and asked to speak to the manager. She put it to me short and harsh that because I did not continue renewing the stop payment that they have the right (listed in terms/conditions on page 32) to clear a check no matter how stale dated it is. It is MY responsibility as the customer to continue renewing the stop payment EVEN if those fees surpass the amount of the check. WHAT A RIP OFF!! So the lesson learned from this that the rule that a check is stale dated after 6months is a LIE!!! A BLATANT LIE not to mention VERY MISLEADING! It is null and void on the terms and conditions. As we speak I'm researching other banks to determine where to open an account tomorrow.

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    User Discussion - Add your 3 cents!


    bigbangerik (11/02/2006)      
    thats terrible, i went into national city with a 1 year old check and they said that they didnt cash stale checks. good luck

    yoke (11/02/2006)      
    I went into my credit union with a check that was 7 months old (I thought I had already deposited it) and they do not cash anything ovr 6 months. After you put a stop payment on the original check did you reissue another check or type of payment, if so I would go after the person who cashed this check?

    KenPopcorn (11/02/2006)      
    You might want to check the Uniform Commercial Code. This is the rules and regulations that determine what your responsibility is, what the bank's is. Among other things, it determines that a stop pay is only valid for six months.

    *Brenda* (11/02/2006)      
    http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/stale-checks.html

    Noneill (11/02/2006)      
    Never heard of having to "renew" stop payments. I thought they were permanent.

    lepearso (11/11/2006)      
    Bank policies are ever changing. Some banks have completely phased out the definition of a "stale" check while others still uphold the six month rule. If I were you, I would find another bank with some old-style policies. WaMu does not deserve your business!

    hermymunster1982 (12/03/2006)      
    First of all I am sorry for what happened to you. If the bank that the company you wrote the check to accepts the check your bank will process the check, they simply cannot return it due to being stale dated. When the bank processes the MICR endcoding on the bottom of the check the date is not considered. Only the routing number, account number, check number, and amount. The date of the check is only for your refrence not the financial institution recieving it. Also, stop payments are only valid for 6 months after which you will need to renew, which if the bank charges a fee you will pay each time. Cashing a check and depositing a check are t... more >>

    trumania (03/09/2007)      
    The bank does have the right to clear post dated and stale dated checks. You're best bet is to READ the terms and conditions that you agreed to when you opened the account to see what you are responsible for.

    Also when you originally made the stop payment the rep would have told you it's only good for 6 months. Since it was 2.5 years ago it's likely you just forgot about that because you thought the payee wouldn't cash the check later on. That is your fault.

    marvado (05/11/2007)      
    ok,

    had a bad experience with WaMu too in Florida.
    Did you find another good bank to open a new acc?

    armywifehooah (11/20/2009)      
    I will preface by saying I don't work at Washington Mutual nor do I bank there; however, I am an accountant who was pre-law in college. The Uniform Commercial Code covers stale dated checks. While a check is considered stale dated after 6 months, it is at the bank's discretion to accept it or not.


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