Requested 12/26
Received 1/13
Here is my story:
Took the check to the bank that it was affiliated with to cash it. I explain to the teller (who is roughly 22 years of age) in person that I would like to cash this check. (She tries to scan it, and put it through the computer) However she says its not reading it.
So she asks another teller for assistance. This teller stares puzzled at the check for literally 2-3 minutes, and asks me where this is from. I said, it was from Singapore for work related services. Then she proceeds to ask me if I know who is sending me the money, I said I do.
She is then un-able to verify the funds, after calling several different phone numbers. After this, she calls over the branch manager who pulls me aside and starts asking me similar questions. Where is this check from, who sent it, what's it for, etc....
I explain all that and she says well ok we are having problems verifying the funds and I just don't feel comfortable cashing this check. So if you have another bank account you can deposit it into that would be your best option. Upon leaving I notice 3 tellers staring at me like I'm some sort of scammer, gossiping amongst themselves.
I take my check, my id, and the paper that came with the check and go to a different branch location. After going there the first teller who is also very young needed assistance. So I was moved to another teller. This teller asks me similar questions like where is it from etc. After answering the questions she tells me that since it's from Singapore but in US currency, she needs to send it to collections. Informing me that it would take
6-8 weeks to clear collections.
I took the check and went and just deposited it into my bank's ATM. It didn't recognize the amount on there, so I had to manually enter it. (Max check amount) About 7% of the check's funds were available immediately.
Hopefully everything works out, but it wasn't the most pleasant experience.