Consumer complaint received 2025-05-15 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Cashing a check
Company: NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANCORP INC
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
On XX/XX/year> I deposited a check in the amount of {$8000.00} in my checking account via ATM at XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX. The bank at first credit in my account for the amount of the check {$8000.00} and after one business day, debited my account for the same amount and issued me a legal copy of the check. With the legal copy, they provided me letters and instructions on why the check was not cashed and that the legal copy is just like the original check. The reason they stated for not being able to cash the check was XXXX not on account. Check number XXXX amount {$8000.00}. I then took the legal copy and gave it back to my cousin and informed him that the check could not be cashed because of the name not matching. My cousin tried multiple times at multiple financial institutions to cash the legal copy, but was unable to due to the fact that the legal copies XXXX writing and the amount of the check does not match. I reached out to XXXX multiple times to get a another Legal copy the issue XXXX denied re-issuing the legal cop, and disregarded my rights regarding the substitute check and did not take my claim for a refund. They claimed that there was no problems with the Legal copy. One of the representatives recommended my cousin open a account with XXXX and deposit the legal copy the check that was issued on XX/XX/year> and the legal copy that was issued on XX/XX/year> was coming to an expiration as it was almost 180 days. So I and my cousin decided to open a XXXX savings account and deposit the the legal copy in the savings account. After we deposited the legal copy in the new savings account that has both of our names XXXX XXXX, the next business day blocked my access to the account and sent me letters telling me my funds will be available within XXXX business days. It has been far more than XXXX business days and XXXX still has not allowed me to access my account or the funds. After multiple calls and talking to reps for many hours, I was not able to get a clear answer. Every day they will tell me to call back after another XXXX days and then after those those XXXX days I would get the same response. XXXX XXXX Department reached out to me via mail and asked me to call them immediately or the check might be returned. I reached out to them right away, and I spoke to XXXX XXXX a fraud specialist and explained to her the whole situation with the XXXX and the amount of the check, not matching and how my cousin was not able to cash it. Also that XXXX was the bank that issued me the legal copy. At first, XXXX noted that the check was fraudulent after the whole explaining to XXXX and promising her that the check was legit and the XXXX issued it. She told me that XXXX  XXXX XXXX is not accepting the check due to the situation with the XXXX and the amount not matching. I feel like XXXX is liable for this, and they are not following rules and regulations set by the government or the CFPB. XXXX XXXX  is not taking responsibility for their mistake and is trying to make a loss of {$8000.00}. The legal copy has already cashed, and the funds have already become available, but XXXX declines to give me access to my funds or my account. They are informing you that they will most likely return the check if that is done, I would be losing Out money and would owe my cousin the money.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation