Consumer complaint received 2023-06-10
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service — Traveler's check or cashier's check
Issue: Fraud or scam — 
Company: U.S. BANCORP (MN)

I do a freelance work to do web development. I recently got a client that engaged me for XXXX fee for a simple website. He requested me to also help pay his consultant XXXX since he has no capability to do it. He sent me a check for XXXX, which breakdowns to XXXX as downpayment for my service, XXXX for the consultant, and XXXX convenience for me for facilitating this transaction. This seemed suspicious to me at first so I left a mental note that I would not send any money without getting assurance that I get the funds first. I was very careful and tried to be as vigilant as possible. I got the check in the mail on XX/XX/XXXX, Monday and deposited it on the same day at a US Bank branch near my house. The bank representative assisted me to deposit the check. I watched her check it, and had a sigh of relief because she seemed to know how to scrutinize the check for any signs of tampering or illegitimacy. She scanned and entered the check and again felt a relief when she said it is now good and there are no issues. I checked my account and saw that it is still in hold, something I understand as they need to hold the money since there is a clearing process needed. 

The next day, XX/XX/XXXX, I was surprised that the amount was already available in my account. As a customer, that is a clear sign that they have completed the clearing process, got the handshake from the other bank, and got the green light to release the account. Since the amount is already in my account, I got confident to proceed with the next steps of my transaction. For my work to commence, I need to release the XXXX fee via XXXX to the consultant so they can release the documents in order for me to start with the specs of the website. All this happened while Im thinking that the amount is already safe in my account since it is already available for me. 

To my surprise, the client backed out and requested me to give them back the remaining amount. At this point I became suspicious once again, but since the money is not mine, and I just want to end the transaction, i gave them back the remaining amount via XXXX from my another bank since I am nearing my limit in the US Bank XXXX. 

I slept comfortable that night knowing that XXXX XXXX have any liability anymore. The next morning, Wednesday XX/XX/XXXX, I was shocked that my account in US Bank reflected that the amount XXXX was reversed and that they are taking back that from my account. I was surprised that what I thought was a cleared check transaction can still be reversed. I have called the bank and their fraud dept resulting to reports being filed and a communication to zelle that a malicious transaction has happened. I also called my other bank for the other zelle transaction and they also filed reports for it. 

I think that the US Bank branch should bear responsibility on this based on these following complaints : 1. US Bank Fraud revealed that the check is fake, and the account in not existing in City National Bank. Why didnt the branch representative caught signs of fake and fraud and still proceeded with the transaction? As a non-banker, I wouldnt know the things they should have checked before accepting a check. Isn't it part of their training? 

2. US Bank releasing the amount is a clear sign for customers that the check has cleared. Multiple times they have said that the bank wants to avoid comments from irate customers for not releasing the money immediately thats why they release the amount even if the clearing is not yet. I believe that it is a risk that they take to cater other customers in order for them to provide better and faster services. In turn, they put other customers in risk whithout us knowing the process.

3. Upon depositing the check, they did not give the option to release the amount immediately or hold the amount since they can not fullt cerify the check which is from another bank. They also diid not disclose the fact they it may take them XXXX days to fully clear the check. 

4. The customer ls have no way of knowing, either in person, text or email that the check has been fully cleared.