I wrote a check to a merchant who put a sticker over the pay to and amount areas before submitting it to my bank. The bank returned it and billed me for insufficient funds. The bank of the check shows that it was paid, but it is missing the watermark. It is a photocopy of the check, but every other copy of a check that I have shows the watermark. Should the bank have accepted this check? What can I do to resolve this issue?
Quickly go to your bank and provide them documentation that the check was altered, and was not made payable by you in the amount or to the payee on the copy they paid. Your bank will have a deadline for you to do this.
The bank gets a warranty from the bank that took the check for deposit that the check wasn't altered. Your bank will need to make a warranty claim to get its money back.
Do not delay. Your action window could be less than 30 days from when you received the statement showing the payment.
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Quickly go to your bank and provide them documentation that the check was altered, and was not made payable by you in the amount or to the payee on the copy they paid. Your bank will have a deadline for you to do this.