This business processed a forged check from a stolen checkbook of mine which was associated with a personal checking account. You may initially think "maybe they were victims too...they did nothing wrong because they had no way to know it was a forged check". That could be true if the checking account in question had not been closed, a police report and fraud investigation started with my bank, and a block/stop placed on all related checks DAYS PRIOR TO the check in question being processed. Then, as if to rub salt in a wound, they mailed me a certified letter (they had my address from the check) demanding in an intimidating and threatening tone, and referencing CA civil code section 1719 which relates to NSF checks, not forged checks, that I pay them the entire amount of the check plus additional fees (~$800) within 30 days. What reputable financial institution processes a check on a closed account with a block on all related checks? I am not paying for their negligence, and would never recommend them, based on this dehumanizing and revictimizing experience, to friends, family, or even my worst enemy. Keep yourself and your money away from this negligent institution (unless you are a criminal, then their negligence may benefit you).
**UPDATE 1 day after writing initial review** - I received a very sympathetic phone call from the manager of their collections department who received a voicemail and email from me re: the above. She was very apologetic for the tone of their letter and stated this was standard procedure as, after they paid the check out and it was returned from my bank, they were [shockingly] not able to get ahold of the guy who cashed the check or the person he provided for verification. She stated that now that she is aware of the check fraud issue, they are not demanding any payment from me, and are fully willing to help with the police investigation. They have the guy on surveillance and have his DL # which they will give to the police. Although this was obviously a misunderstanding on their part and rectified in a satisfactory manner, they did tell me that the way they verified the check before paying it was with a phone number, supposedly to my husband (never been married), provided by the person trying to pay the check. Anyone can provide a fake # and have someone else involved in the scam on the other end, so I would highly suggest developing a way to verify the authenticity of the phone # provided otherwise the verification process is pointless. The whole reason I actually found out about this check fraud issue is that a Money Tree did just that, took the time to find my verified phone # on public records sites, and called me to verify another stolen check. read more