Check Problems [Detailed]?

Question

Ok, I went to WaMu with my older brother to attempt to cash in checks I have received. [Note : I am 15] When we went up to the bank teller, she told us that "we do not accept third party checks. Try cashing it in at the correct bank". So we would have to go over to Wells Fargo and Chase Bank to attempt to cash it in? We would not be able to cash in those checks even though we do not have an account at the bank?

If I go with my father to the bank and attempt to cash in the checks, would I receive the same response? What if I created a savings account and attempted? Would they still deny it due to it being a third party check?

I considered going to a check cashing place to just cash it in , no questions asked. What is the average service fee for those places?

Answer 1

If you go to the bank on the check they may not cash it if you do not have an account there. I know Chase is like that. Your best bet is to open either a savings or checking account and just deposit all the checks. It doesn't matter what bank you open the account and do the deposit at. Get an account that does not charge you a monthly fee for not having a minimum amount in the account.

If you go to a check cashing place it will cost you per check either a fixed amount, or a percentage or the check.

Answer 2

It remains a third party check whether your father is with you or not. If you don't have an account there, and the person who wrote the check doesn't have an account there, they don't owe you anything.

If you go to the bank that the check is drawn against... where the person who wrote the check has his account, they will cash it for you, as long as you have acceptable ID.

Answer 3

So you don't have an account with Wamu? If no, then they are right. You cannot just go into any bank and cash a check from another one. You would need an account with them. Taking your dad won't help if he doesn't have an account there either. You should be fine with cashing the checks from the banks they come from as long as you have an ID.