So, Citibank Cannot Verify Their Own Checks?

Posted Mon November 2, 2009 7:27 pm, by Laura A. written to Citibank N A

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I received a check from Citibank on Thursday in the amount of $200--this was owed to me by Citibank and was delivered as promised. I went to the branch on 1825 Lake Cook Road in Northbrook, Illinois on my lunch break today and walked inside just in case they wanted to further verify my identity since I do not have any accounts with Citibank (I know that sometimes banks may ask for additional ID or even a thumb print if you do not have an account with them).

Upon walking in, the teller looked at the check and told me she had no way to cash it since she could not "verify" it. I told her that it was a Citibank check issued from Citibank themselves (I had the envelope and letter with me) and was confused as to why they would not be able to verify one of their own checks.

She passed me off to the Assistant Branch Manager, Latifa, and after typing in a few things on the computer, she told me that since I was not an account holder at Citibank, she would not be able to cash the check because they, again, had no way to "verify" the check. I was kind of peeved at this point and just drove to my bank after work to cash it with no problems at all. I explained to my bank what had happened and they were just as confused as I was--if a bank cannot verify one of their OWN checks, I have to wonder what kind of business/security practices they have in effect? Or are the tellers just unknowledgeable in various types of transactions?

I will certainly not bank with Citibank after having this experience. I understand that maybe there are rules in place and for *some* reason, they were unable to cash this check for me, but I was not even treated kindly while I was there. There was no "I'm sorry" or explanation of any kind. Even if they had explained their reasoning to me, I would have understood. It was almost like they did not know how to proceed or how to handle this (seemingly easy) transaction. I think that this location could definitely use some training in customer service.

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Re: So, Citibank Cannot Verify Their Own Checks? by Mack I. Posted Sat November 21, 2009 @ 1:25 PM All they had to do was call to verify the check. They are reject employees who can't get jobs anywhere else so they go to CitiBank where they only employ the absolute worst. They are lazy, ignorant and totally worthless. Move on to another bank. Reply Re: So, Citibank Cannot Verify Their Own Checks? by PepperElf Posted Tue November 3, 2009 @ 9:35 AM have you tried cashing or depositing it at your own bank? it might be easier that way than trying to deal with a bank where you don't have an account. Reply I did go to my own bank later on... by Laura A. Posted Tue November 3, 2009 @ 10:56 AM I did end up cashing it at my own bank with no problem. I was just surprising that Citibank could not verify one of their own checks from one of their own accounts. Reply o good, i'm glad you got the money at least n/t =) by PepperElf Tue November 3, 2009 @ 11:13 AM Re: So, Citibank Cannot Verify Their Own Checks? by kewltazdude Posted Tue November 3, 2009 @ 8:48 AM After all - they are in bankruptcy proceedings... Reply Bankruptcy... by Laura A. Tue November 3, 2009 @ 10:57 AM Re: So, Citibank Cannot Verify Their Own Checks? by Michelle O. Posted Mon November 2, 2009 @ 11:08 PM I have heard this before and really it makes no sense to me either. If the check is drawn on any Citibank account, unless there is reportred fraud there should be no need for you to be an account holder to cash it. Absurd. It would almost be tempting to open an account, deposit and withdraw the check, and then close it since there isn't usually a hold on checks drawn on the same bank. I'm glad you wrote the letter. Reply The check wasn't just drawn... by Just Jeffrey Tue November 3, 2009 @ 6:29 AM regardless by Michelle O. Tue November 3, 2009 @ 10:57 PM Question by Just Jeffrey Wed November 4, 2009 @ 6:59 AM not the same thing at all by Michelle O. Wed November 4, 2009 @ 9:52 PM You said "regardless" so I took it... by Just Jeffrey Thu November 5, 2009 @ 7:32 AM "if someone I had written a check to asked me to give them cash instead" by Just Jeffrey Thu November 5, 2009 @ 7:40 AM OK Jeffrey I give up by Michelle O. Thu November 5, 2009 @ 8:38 PM I understand. by Just Jeffrey Thu November 5, 2009 @ 9:11 PM