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Home >> Accounts >> Checking Accounts
Accounts Closed after Fraudulent Deposit
Someone that I didn't know deposited a cashier's check for $290,000 into my checking account. I reported the deposit to my bank as soon as I noticed it, and the check was returned as no good within three days. I explained to the bank that I didn't have any knowledge of the deposit, but they closed all of my accounts and asked me to prove that it wasn't my fault. What options do I have? How can I prove that it wasn't me? How do I rectify this situation?
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 Ask your bank when and where the check was deposited, and show where you were when this happened. If this was done at a location you do not frequent, ensure you point that out. Also define for the bank the time line. It appears from the wording of your question that you contacted them about the faked deposit before they contacted you. Another item to consider is how the check was received and if it appears to have been endorsed by you.
The problem you are facing here, is what motivation would anyone else have to do this? This is a key reason your bank is looking hard at this, and because phony checks that go through processing are costing banks many thousands of dollars in losses. Many customers deposit phony checks, not knowing they are falling victim to a scam and dragging their bank into it as well.
A common scenario is that a customer will think he/she has won a lottery which was never entered, or sells something online and the buyer sends a check for too much. In each case, the person sending the check asks for a wire transfer or a fee for the lottery payment or the excess funds. The wire is sent, and then the check comes back. The bank wants the customer to pay back that amount that was wired because the check was no good. Often, the customer doesn't have the money and thinks the bank should take the loss. This is common, and banks are on the defensive.
Published on BankingQuestions.com 5/06/08
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