Yesterday we told you about a former CitiApartments tenant who won her fight to get her deposit back. But her tale did not end there! She writes, again:
It seems that I may have written you too soon. When I attempted to cash my ($2600 deposit) check, it bounced. I called Citiapartments and told them my bank had put a hold on my account because there were not sufficient funds in the account from which I received my deposit.
The woman I spoke with told me she would check with their money-management people, and call me back. I received a message telling me that there must be something wrong with my bank, because their bank account was just fine.
We find this kind of hard to believe. Don’t you?
This reader, and her bank, are persisting — and we’ll keep you posted.
Since we’re now seeing this new pattern of check-bouncing behavior from Citi, we’re going to suggest the following: if and when you get your deposit check from CitiApartments, take it to the bank on which it was drawn and cash it. Then, deposit the cash into your account.
Things to remember if you’re going to cash a check:
— All the parties the check’s made out to must be present. So if you and your roommate are on the check, both of you need to go to the bank to get the money.
— You must have ID to cash a check. This ID must have the same name as is on the check.
— Finally, safety first. On your way to CitiApartment’s bank, scope out the nearest ATM for your bank, and head there right away. It would really suck to win the CitiApartments battle then have your wallet boosted on the 22.
Update: Commenter Brian Devine makes a great point.
Instead of getting cash, you can ask that the money be disbursed by CitiApartments’ bank in a money order or cashier’s check. It will cost a couple bucks, but it will protect you if you get boosted on the 22.
Excellent advice. Thanks, Brian.
As always, we want to hear your CitiApartments stories, so send them here.
