Consumer complaint received 2016-08-26
Company: FIRST HAWAIIAN, INC.
State: CA
Product: Bank account or service
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Making/receiving payments, sending money

Complaint:
On XXXX XXXX 2016 on the XXXX the gentlemen .... wrote a check to me for the sum of {$800.00} and signed the check and handed it to me both the two of us have the same Bank First Hawaiian Bank and my branch is in XXXX his branche is in XXXX when he signed and dated the check and handed it to me he stated that he had just switched banks his Branch used to be in XXXX and now he 's in XXXX he mentioned to me that the check would not be good until after the first of the month he has written me checks just like this in the past and I proceeded to call the bank several times to check and see if the funds were available before I deposited the check I did n't want it to bounce. The only reason they would check on that for me is because I also have an account with them so there is a record of my phone calls to the bank several times asking them if the check was good what my name was what his name was and what the amount of the check was at one point he was threatening that he was going to cancel his check I was hearing from other people so I send an email to the bank letting them know that this guy has a substance abuse problem and it 's just a little bit troubled in his mind and to please watch out for this happening because I do n't want this to happen I was getting ready to fly to XXXX for a funeral and I did n't want any problems with my funds in my account. He preceded to go to the bank and say that he did n't know me I stole the check and the bank just took his word for it and deducted {$800.00} from my checking account here I am in XXXX now with a negative balance in my bank and I feel it is the bank 's responsibility, to some extent, to research an incident like this before they just go ahead and take my money had they looked in to my previous checks written to me and seeing he 's written checks in the past that 's the first clue that he was lying to them and compare the signatures obviously it 's his signature I watched him sign it then we would n't be in this big mess right now and they wo n't even speak to me the bank I 've been a good customer of theirs they just brush me off and deducted the money from my account and I feel alone and left in the dark and kind of betrayed by my bank why am I being punished because somebody has chosen to lie to the bank so that they will not have to pay for something they already bought and still have the the product?? I feel that First Hawaiian Bank owes me as a loyal customer a little bit more than brushing me off not listening to anything I have to say not letting me file a complaint in response to what has happened to me and just leaving me hanging here with a negative {$800.00} in my account!! 
I really just want someone to care and to listen and to look into this matter and give me the same consideration that he was given. This man basically purchased something for {$800.00} and decided once I flew out of town that he did n't want to pay me and claims to the bank that I stole his check which is 100 % a lie and I feel very strongly if the bank just slightly looked into this matter and considered my situation instead of just believing him that it would be obvious what the truth is. 
Because I know the only fraudulent transaction made was him lying to the bank and saying he did n't write and sign that check! 


FIRST HAWAIIAN BANK XXXX BRANCH and XXXX

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation