[Alter Kaker]

Out of curiosity, why doesn't he just open a bank account?

[thoughtomator]

I encountered the same situation quite a number of years ago. Apparently they don't have to cash the check unless you have an account with that bank. Your son will have to set up a bank account of his own and deposit it there or sign it over to someone who will give him cash for it.

I agree it's messed up.

[darkwing104]

Best thing to do is open up an account and deposit the first check into it...Then set up a direct deposit if possible.

[darkwing104]

What branch are you in?

[Lurker]

Go to a currency exchange.

Or, to have some real fun go back to the bank and have him say he wants the item 'entered for collection'.

He has to use those words. I'll bet you he meets with a bank officer in five minutes and walks out with his cash inside of ten minutes.

L

[Jemian]

My dad has an account at Compas Bank. Last summer he paid my daughter for some work with a check drawn on their bank. When we went to Compass to cash it, there was a notice listing the fees they charge to cash a check for a non-customer, even when drawn on a Compass bank account. They didn't charge my daughter because she was a minor. I was shocked. From then on, we have decided to refuse all checks drawn from such banks or to have check writers add the bank fee onto the amount of their check.

[TankerKC]

This doesn't fix the bank problem, but if you are near Navy Exchange, PX, or BX, they will cash it.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

For $3 your son can cash his paycheck at any Wal-Mart.

He's better off getting a checking account (NOT AT A BANK, BUT A CREDIT UNION) and getting direct deposit.

[Wheee The People]

No idea...what I'm curious about is why you logged on to FReeRepublic today, created a new account and asked a banking question????

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

It is hard to get a check cashed if you do not have an account.

For the record many payroll accounts are "zero balance" accounts and the cashier has no way of checking if there is money in the account or not.

I don't know about your area but in mine you can get your payroll check cashed for a small fee at the local megamart.

Other then that he can sign it over to you and you can cash it for him.

[unixfox]

I wouldn't make him open a checking account. Keep him off the grid if possible.

[big'ol_freeper]

Wow...you join FR today just to ask that question. I smell ozone. Here kitty kitty.

[stylin19a]

hmmmm.... thread starter never came back to the thread...

[maui_hawaii]

Banks or credit unions are not required to cash your check.

[chapin2500]

He said they were very rude to him!

Is he tattooed, pierced like a pin cushion, have a heavy lisp, or all three?

I cash one of my paychecks every weekend at the bank it came from, never with any problems. A picture ID is all you need.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

but I mad a this bank today

What you say?

[snowsislander]

I would contact the bank's regulator first with a telephone call (it's likely to be the FDIC (1-800-378-9581); if not, try the OCC (1-800-613-6743) or OTS (1-800-842-6929)) and see if they agree with you. If they do agree that the bank should honor the instrument, and the bank still won't do anything, write a formal complaint letter to the bank regulator and send a copy to the president of the bank.

For what it is worth, I think failing to honor a legitimate check drawn on the bank is a no-no -- certainly coercing you to open an account with them in order just to have a legitimate check on their own institution honored is not appropriate behavior on the bank's part in my opinion.

If you end up writing a letter, include this information (taken verbatim from the FDIC website):

• Complainant's name, address, telephone number;
• The institution's name and address;
• Type of account involved in the complaint--checking, savings, or loan--and account numbers, if applicable;
• Description of the complaint, including specific dates and the institution's actions (copies of pertinent information or correspondence are also helpful);
• Date of contact and the names of individuals contacted at the institution with their responses;
• Complainant's signature and the date the complaint is being submitted to the regulatory agency.

And here are the addresses for written consumer complaints:

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection
550 Seventeenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20429

---

Office of Thrift Supervision
Consumer Affairs Office
1700 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20552

---

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Customer Assistance Group
1301 McKinney Street
Suite 3710
Houston, TX 77010

[grellis]

Not even the worst run bank in Podunkville employs tellers without giving them a crash course in recognizing ID, everything from passports to military IDs to state IDs to driver's licences. Even school IDs from the local school. Why on earth did you come up with a story like this? It's just stupid.

[wagglebee]

Just curious, but why on earth would you join Free Republic to find out how to get a check cashed?

[ml/nj]

IANAL, but I believe that at least the specific branch upon which the check is drawn must cash the check or bounce it (even if it is for a big amount). I know someone who was once in a similar position being denied who said in a very loud voice, "YOU MEAN THIS BANK DOESN"T HAVE ENOUGH FUNDS TO COVER ONE OF ITS CUSTOMER'S CHECKS?!" They gave him the cash.

There may be additional laws related to "payroll accounts" where banks have an even greater obligation to "pay to the order of."

ML/NJ