Consumer complaint received 2026-02-21 00:00:00
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service — Check cashing service
Issue: Problem with customer service — 
Company: Comerica
State: MI

Complaint narrative:
On Wednesday, XX/XX/year>, I called Comerica Bank located at XXXX XXXX XXXX at XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, Michigan XXXX at XXXX at approximatelXXXX XXXX XXXX  asking if a non-account holder could cash a relatively large check written on a Comerica business account and specifically the check-cashing fee when the transaction is for around {$11000.00}. The woman, whose name I believe was similar to XXXX or XXXX stated all that was needed was valid identification, possibly my Social Security number and the fee would be a flat {$10.00}. 

On Thursday, XX/XX/year> around XXXX XXXX, I entered the Comerica Bank branch at XXXX XXXX XXXX at XXXX XXXX XXXX and presented the laser-printed, digitally-signed, rainbow-watermarked, business check with full XXXX '' XXXX '' business information attached at the top and with my first and last name as Payee to the middle-aged XXXX woman teller along with my valid, non-expired XXXX XXXX XXXX  license and original paper Social Security Card stating that I wanted to cash the check and confirming the fee would be {$10.00}. The teller stated the check would have to be verified and asked me to have a seat. 

As I waited, the teller shouted through the bulletproof glass while other customers were present, '' What is this check for? I have to ask. '' I quietly replied, '' A lawsuit. '' Later, the teller called me back to the window and stated that the " back office '' could not verify the check and Comerica would not be able to cash it. I asked for the name of the person in the " back office '' and she stated she could not give me that information. Humiliated and puzzled, I moved my hand toward the slot to receive the check and my ID docs but the teller said the " back office '' had advised her to retain the check so she could not return it to me. I asked why and the teller stated " for fraud ''. The teller returned my identification documents as I pulled out my phone to call my attorney. 

As I paced the lobby speaking with my attorney 's staffer, another younger XXXX woman Comerica Bank employee entered the lobby, appearing to leave for the day, and overhearing my conversation, said, '' You should tell them to reissue the check because we have destroyed that one. '' I relayed that information to my attorney 's staffer, gathered myself and left the bank. 

The next day on Friday, XX/XX/year>, my attorney 's office forwarded a letter from Comerica Bank regarding this matter which only stated the check, written to me and with the dollar amount details had been destroyed. 

I believe this refusal to cash a printed and digitally-signed, watermarked check with stub attached written from a business account holder was due to simple XXXX discrimination. I showed up at Comerica Bank as a middle-aged XXXX woman dressed neatly in my work uniform of a white collared shirt with black tie, black pants and flat black shoes while presenting valid identification ; none of which fits any stereotype of a fraudster but still should not have mattered. If it was too late in the day to confirm the check 's validity with the account holder by phone, Comerica could have taken a photocopy, returned the original to me and asked me to come back the next day. I was not even given the courtesy of being spoken with privately by a more senior bank employee! 

Because this occurred just before a weekend, I was embarrassed in front of other customers who will remember me in my uniform in that neighborhood. I was unable to repay debts I owed as expected. I could not entertain myself or even make my planned purchases during my weekend off work.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief