Consumer complaint received 2026-05-27 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Deposits and withdrawals
Company: CAPITAL ONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
I am filing a complaint regarding a prolonged hold placed on a payroll check deposited into my Capital One checking account. My original payroll check for the amount of {$3000.00} XXXX XXXX XXXX was returned due to an " irregular signature '' issue after my employer recently changed banks. My employer then issued a replacement payroll check for {$5000.00} ( for the previous returned check plus my last paycheck because I resigned from the job ), which I deposited via Capital One mobile deposit on XX/XX/XXXX, at approximately XXXXXXXX XXXX. Capital One accepted the deposit and the deposit has posted to my account. The funds appear in my current balance but not in my available balance. The same afternoon, approximately XXXX hours later, Capital One emailed me to inform that the funds are being held until XX/XX/XXXX, approximately XXXX days after deposit. I have contacted Capital One multiple times, including speaking with representatives in XXXX XXXX over the phone on XX/XX/XXXX and visiting a branch the same day. I then waited a week and called Capital One and spoke with XXXX from XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX. I was informed that the hold is not the result of a returned item or reversal. Capital One representatives advised me that the hold is based on an internal risk review, the fact that the original payroll check had previously been returned, and their inability to verify the issuer because the replacement check was a starter check that did not contain company information. Capital One representatives have confirmed that the check has not been returned to date. However, despite the deposit being posted and despite the check not being returned, Capital One continues to withhold access to my wages and has stated that the funds will remain unavailable until XX/XX/XXXX. And that I may or may not even have access to them on that date. These funds represent earned wages. My wages were already delayed because of the original payroll check issue, and I have now been unable to access my pay for an extended period of time. I have contacted my employer regarding the situation and am attempting to obtain assistance, but Capital One continues to hold the deposited funds. Since XX/XX/XXXX, I have regularly deposited payroll checks from the same employer into my Capital One account on a XXXX basis. My prior payroll checks were consistently for approximately {$3000.00} and were accepted without issue. This situation arose only after my employer changed banks and issued payroll using starter checks. My original payroll check was returned due to an " irregular signature '' issue related to that bank change, and the replacement payroll check was issued on a starter check that did not contain company information. The current hold is therefore the result of circumstances surrounding my employer 's bank change rather than any change in my employment, payroll history, or banking relationship. I am requesting that Capital One review this hold, explain the specific basis for keeping the funds unavailable for approximately XXXX days, confirm whether the paying bank has honored the check, and determine whether the funds can be released sooner given that this is a payroll deposit representing earned wages.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation