We recently moved to Northwest Arkansas from California and needed to open up new bank accounts, as our current bank did not have branches in the area. I had used a cargo trailer to move things here, and then sold it, getting paid with a cashier's check from a local bank.
My wife and I went to Arvest bank and opened a new account, using the cashier's check. They had no problem taking the check, set us up with our account, online access, etc.
Late that afternoon, I tried to do the initial login for the online access and it said the account is locked out. So I called Arvest and was told that my cashier's check was obviously counterfeit, and they were terminating their relationship with me. They would mail me a copy of the check. The attitude of the customer service person was that I was some sort of criminal or scam artist.
The local bank that issued the check was now closed, so I called them the next morning. Took all of about a minute to confirm with them that the check was good and there should have been no problem with depositing it.
I called Arvest again asking why they thought the check was bad. They could not explain it, only that their back office algorithms had determined that it was a bad check. She said it may be something to do with being a new account and the check amount being a round number? I don't know why they didn't just check with the issuing bank, which is only a few miles away. All it would take is a quick phone call. I could understand a delay of a few days for available funds if they needed to verify the check. But no, they said they don't do that. They just assumed the check was bad. I would be receiving a copy of the check in the mail and could use that to deposit it elsewhere.
Twice, I received a letter in the mail that they were closing the account in 30 days, stating: "We have determined this relationship is no longer mutually beneficial, and we ask that you not make any future attempt to open an account with Arvest Bank."
All the while, I'm also still receiving letters welcoming me to Arvest and giving me information about my new account and various benefits, etc.
After 10 days without receiving the check I called again. Found out that they had deposited the check in my account (why did they deposit a "counterfeit" check?). I could come in to a branch and withdraw the money, but my account was still scheduled to terminate in a few weeks. So I went in and met with the assistant manager, but she had no idea why the check was a problem or what was going on. So I withdrew the money in cash and closed the account. I went to a different area credit union and opened my accounts there.
I just sold my house in California, so Arvest will not be seeing the very large deposit I'll be making from my sale. Not to mention our other checking, savings, and business accounts which we were going to transfer here as well.
Arvest doesn't need to worry about me trying to open any accounts with them in the future. read more
