AboutShane Expertise Hello, my name is Shane. I currently work at a financial institution in customer service and sales. I am able to answer most questions you have regarding banking products and services, how to use them, and what products may benefit you best. I can also help you to weigh the risks of various types of savings vehicles such as questions pertaining to CDS, money market accounts, etc. Feel free to ask and I promise I will do the best I can to answer.
Experience Customer Service and Sales call center experience. Assists in training new hires for customer service. Well versed with FDIC policies, banking compliance laws, and a wide variety of product knowledge.
Organizations American Association of Medical Assistants
Education/Credentials High School Graduate and Medical Assisting Diploma
Awards and Honors Significantly exceeds expectations annual review from the bank I presently work at
Expert: Shane Date: 5/16/2008 Subject: cahing federal income tax return check
Question I have tried to cash a regular federal income tax return check made out to myself and my wife. The bank will not cash the check because we do not have a joint account. The wife has her account at a different bank. My account takes care of bills, hers to do groceries and home furnishings. the reason the bank says it will not cash the check is because they cannot verify her signature. I feel that it is not the banks responsibility to determine or not if a signature is forged. We do have local and federal law officials to do that job if a complaint is made. The bank branch manager said that this was bank policy whereas the corporate office said that this is federal policy. Who is right? The return check is under $1000. I was not asking for any cash,just to deposit it into my checking account. Although they did satisfy me somewhat be saying that if I bring in a copy of her drivers lic. they would cash it. I still feel that I do not need to go through this hassle.
Answer Daniel,
It is absolutely the banks responsibility and right to verify each and every signature and refuse any check they wish. It is a loss prevention issue to the bank for forged or fraudulent checks, there are whole departments dedicated to such things. I have been in a corporate banking position for two years and I am not aware of any laws stipulating signatures, however, there is a law that states if it is any official check issued by the government both payees must be on the same account. If they are willing to cash the check with her driver's license, they can do so if they wish, however it is not legal as far as I know. When I worked as a teller, I would not cash a check unless both people were on the accounts, no exceptions, which is how it should be. If you can get it done with a driver's license, I would take the opportunity, because I can tell you banks would never and should never do that. This "hassle" you reference I dont understand. This is a loss prevention issue for the bank and protecting the customer. When you opened your account there is a signature card with your signature on file. If you write a check and it doesnt match your signature, they can and will deny paying that check even if in fact you did write it simply because the signatures do not match. The customer put the responsibility of ensuring account security on the bank, and the bank puts the responsibility of cooperating with security measures on the customer.
