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The bank placed a hold on a cashier's check that later turned out to be fraudulent. Aren't cashier's checks supposed to be honored immediately?Generally, if you make a deposit in person to a bank employee, then the bank must make the funds available by the next business day after the banking day on which the cashier's check is deposited. Some conditions, however, may affect when a bank makes the funds available:
The bank may put a longer hold on the check if it was
Remember that funds may become available to you before the bank has been able to verify the check. You could end up withdrawing the funds before the bank knows that the check is fraudulent. If the check is fraudulent, the bank may charge it back against your account (in other words, deduct the funds from your account) or obtain a refund from you. The bank might also charge you an overdraft fee if your account becomes overdrawn as a result of the chargeback or refund. Different banks may have different policies on, for example, when they will place a hold on deposited funds. You should review the deposit account agreement you received when you opened the account, as it explains the bank's availability process. Last Reviewed: April 2021 Please note: The terms "bank" and "banks" used in these answers generally refer to national banks, federal savings associations, and federal branches or agencies of foreign banking organizations that are regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Find out if the OCC regulates your bank. Information provided on HelpWithMyBank.gov should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion of the OCC. Consumers and merchants often rely on the security of cashier’s checks for major transactions such as the purchase of a home, car or jewelry. But “security” in this case simply means that cashier’s checks won’t bounce because the issuing banks take full responsibility for covering payment. They aren’t, however, secure from fraud and scams. Printing technology has grown so advanced over recent years that it’s relatively easy for scammers to forge cashier’s checks in their own basements. As a result, even bank employees may find it difficult to detect a fake, and it can take weeks before a counterfeit cashier’s check is discovered. What’s more, if you spend the funds prematurely, you’ll be liable for the unpaid check (and the resulting fees) once the bank discovers it’s fraudulent. To help you protect yourself from such crimes, we’ve laid out instructions for verifying the validity of cashier’s checks, spotting the fake ones and reporting an incident if you are ever victimized in a scam below. For general information about cashier’s checks — such as where to buy them and how much they cost — please refer to WalletHub’s Cashier’s Check guide. Types Of Cashier’s Check ScamsCashier’s check scams come in various forms. The following table details the most common among them:
How To Spot A Fake Cashier’s CheckWhat does a fake cashier’s check look like? It’s hard to tell. Neither consumers nor bank tellers know what to expect because every bank uses a unique design that’s intended to make counterfeiting its cashier’s checks difficult. Fakes also can be hard to distinguish when they’re created using high-quality home scanners and laser printers that lend the checks an appearance of authenticity. Look for the signs listed in the following table to help you spot a fake cashier’s check.
How To Verify A Cashier’s Check: Although the signs described in the above table may indicate forgery, they do not always guarantee that a cashier’s check is fake. It’s always a good idea to call or visit the bank before cashing or depositing a cashier’s check, whether or not you doubt its validity. However, do not contact the number that’s printed on the check, as it’s likely also a fake. Instead, search for the institution’s
phone number online. Sometimes, the scammer will also use a legitimate routing number and account number on a check, so the bank will have to inspect the check for other indications of fraud. What To Do If You’re A Victim Of Cashier’s Check FraudEven the most cautious consumers can fall victim to cashier’s check fraud. If you find yourself in such an unfortunate situation, you need to report the crime immediately to the following:
According to the Office of the Comptroller of Currency, banks are ordinarily required to reimburse their customers for forged checks. However, that all depends on the circumstances of your case and your state’s laws. The bank can choose to investigate whether you deserve to be reimbursed, a process that may require you to first obtain a police report and file an affidavit. However, a bank also can hold you liable for the entire amount of an unpaid cashier’s check then reverse the transaction upon discovering fraud. It will be your responsibility to pursue the party that issued the fraudulent cashier’s check to you. If you think the bank did not handle your case properly, seek advice from an attorney about the applicable laws in your state — if you can afford to and if the amount of the check makes the dispute worthwhile. If you earn a low income, you can visit your local legal aid office. Other Parties To Notify: In addition, you should file a complaint with the following agencies or authorities to warn others and possibly get action on your case: Tips For Avoiding Cashier’s Check FraudAt some point, most people will buy a car or a house in addition to other major transactions that require a relatively safe payment tool. By following the tips below, you can avoid becoming a victim of a scam or fraud if or when it’s time to use or accept a cashier’s check:
Was this article helpful? Disclaimer: Editorial and user-generated content is not provided or commissioned by financial institutions. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and have not been approved or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution, including those that are WalletHub advertising partners. Our content is intended for informational purposes only, and we encourage everyone to respect our content guidelines. Please keep in mind that it is not a financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered. Certain offers that appear on this site originate from paying advertisers, and this will be noted on an offer’s details page using the designation "Sponsored", where applicable. Advertising may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). At WalletHub we try to present a wide array of offers, but our offers do not represent all financial services companies or products. How can I verify a cashier's check?You can call the bank or visit a branch to ask for verification. If you're calling the bank to confirm a cashier's check, be prepared to tell the bank the check number, payment amount and the name of the person who gave it to you.
Can I call the issuing bank to verify a cashier's check?How can I verify a cashier's check? Verifying a cashier's check is just like verifying any other check. You will need to contact the issuing bank and provide them with the check number, the amount the check was issued for, and the name of the account holder (the person who issued you the check).
How does Capital One bank verify funds?Sign in and select the Capital One account that you're linking to your external bank account.. Tap the Transfer icon in the I Want To… menu.. Select the box where you see Complete Account Verification.. On the next pop-up screen, enter the 2 deposit amounts in any order and tap “Verify”.. Does Capital One have cashiers checks?To purchase a cashier's check through the website
Sign in to capitalone.com. Click on the checking account you want to purchase the check from. Click on “Account Services & Settings.” Click on “Cashier's Check” to get started.
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