Bank Lost My Money - Advice Please

Lucylock

Hi All,

First time here so bear with me.

A few weeks ago I do as I've done for years, popped through the bank letterbox some cash, with a small cheque, and paying in slip to be credited to my account. The envelope went in at 8.30 am on a Tuesday morning so it wouldn't have sat there long. As I said, I've done this for years with no problems so have no reason to think there would be one.

When I checked on my internet banking nothing has been credited to my account. Obviously I contacted the bank who (said) they'd investigated and couldn't find anything.

My understanding is the post is dealt with by the branch. I have since found out that post is sent to a processsing centre elsewhere in the country. If I had any idea the bank had changed their processes there's no way I'd post cash through the box and I have told them this.

I've been in touch with the police who've actually been very helpful; the local neighbourhood beat bobby checked the box and said it doesn't look like it's been tampered with so nothing was taken out and they've said they want to talk to my account manager which I'm waiting for them to get back to me about. But this is what gets me..the bank have more or less washed their hands of it. They've written to me saying they're not legally responsible but even though I've asked for a breakdown of their 'investigation' nothing has transpired.

I told them I wanted it reported to the police as it's theft but they've more or less said if they report it they are basically saying they think someone in the branch has taken it. I actually don't believe it went missing in the branch but somewhere between them and 'the processing centre'. Funny this should happen now 'the process' has changed. But it has gone missing whilst in their possession.

I cannot believe the bank can be so blase about losing a few hundred pounds of my money. As I've said I've been a customer with them for years it's not like I'm a newbie, they don't know me and I'm trying to pull a fast one. I have (had) a good relationship with them. They've never told me there was a problem doing this and there is nothing on the box stating not to post cash. You probably think I was stupid for doing this but it's not something I haven't have done plenty of times before and there's never been any disrepancy other than the odd tenner I may have counted incorrectly (both under and over) and I've always accepted it if they've said I was under. The amount of times this has happened I could count on one hand.

I need to pursue this ..I've looked at their 'complaints procedure' on the net but it's not very forthcoming (well..what a surprise).

I'd be grateful for any advice.

John_3:16

Has the cheque been cashed?

chilli_dog

dont think the cheque has been cashed, that would provide a paper trail to the thief.

Lucylock

No cheque hasn't been cashed. The whole lot has disappeared into thin air

bryanb

Bit of an unusual way to make a deposit, any reason you can't do it properly?

wigglebeena

what bank is this then? i always like to know who not to give my business to...

Lucylock

bryanb wrote: »

Bit of an unusual way to make a deposit, any reason you can't do it properly?

Hi Brian

Well as I said, NOT unusual for me. I can't get there banking hours as I'm either working or can't get parked. Sometimes my daughter drops it off for me (on her way to work as she had done that morning I don't think that was clear on the first post) and has done so many times...and don't be thinking THAT..she's 26 not a child!!

Lucylock

wigglebeena wrote: »

what bank is this then? i always like to know who not to give my business to...

Wiggle I'd rather not say at the mo ..until a month ago I'd sing their praises; you always get to speak to your local branch not some call centre on the other side of the world and their internet banking is great it had everything I needed.

Their lack of concern has really flabberghasted and upset me. I'm obviously not an important customer and they obviously don't make enough from me for them to want to keep my business.

But I'm not going to let it drop I feel they have a moral responsibility to look into this properly even if not a legal one.

timnicebutdim_2

Hi Lucy, thing is i don't think there's any complaint to pursue, as when posting any item of mail it's entirely at your risk, especially with cash. As i've learnt myself whenever paying cash in, get a receipt. (I once handed over a bucket with £16k to the bank manager who said he'll count it tomorrow because it was closing time, but i forgot the receipt, and got a load of grief at work for it. Luckily the manager was honest and it came to more than we thought.) Sorry to hear about it though.

Pagan98

timnicebutdim wrote: »

Hi Lucy, thing is i don't think there's any complaint to pursue, as when posting any item of mail it's entirely at your risk, especially with cash.

I disagree with the sentiment here. Surely you should be able to trust that a letter posted through the door of your bank won't go astray?! It's hardly the same as sending cash in the post is it? I have done this before using a deposit envelope through the door of the bank to pay in cheques (but never cash) so I'd also be interested to hear which bank it is. The trouble is that you have no proof, although involving the police should add some credibility to your case and maybe they will refund you as a goodwill measure.

Turtle

You need to get the cheque stopped and reissued or better still get the person to do a direct transfer into your account. As for the cash, I'm afraid I have to agree that it's probably gone with nothing you can do about it. I don't want to sound harsh but just because you've done this lots before it doesn't make it the right way. You've been taking a risk everytime you've done it. Unfortunately if you can't get to the branch during opening hours and you can't get this money transferred in directly then I'm not sure how you can get round this.