Apparently WaMu recently arbitrarily decided to limit the number of checks that one can deposit at their ATMs. But they didn't tell anyone about it: not their customers, not their branch workers. I frequently deposit several checks at a time because I often have to shlep over to the ATM in the snow. When I did so this past week, after trying to deposit my 3rd check, I got the message that I had exceeded my daily limit (see attached screen photo). And trying to find out about this new rule, particularly about how long I need to wait before braving the cold to make another deposit, has been a Kafaesque experience. In 2 separate responses to my direct question about how long I have to wait to make another deposit, they have failed to answer the question (see correspondence below). In visits to a WaMu branch, they knew nothing about it (not even the manager) but they seemed not at all surprised that a new rule was suddenly imposed without them being informed.
Finally, they state that they have implemented this new rule in order to combat fraud. But I find it really difficult to understand what kind of fraud can be involved in making deposits (as opposed to withdrawals), particularly when deposits must be made with an ATM card, so WaMu knows who tried to make the deposit (plus their ATM machine probably takes our photo). As one can see, the solutions they suggest (coming in during regular business hours and standing in their long lines; mailing each individual deposit and having to wait for the mails to get there, not getting a receipt for the deposited check, etc.) show that they know nothing about why people use their services.
01/15/2009 10:04:18 AM
General Inquiry
Why can't I deposit more than 3 checks at an ATM machine at a WAMU
Financial Center into my Platinum account? How long do I have to wait
until I have to schlep back in the snow to deposit my 4th check (ie. is
the limit 3 checks per day, per 24 hour period, per week, or per month)?
When did this new rule go into effect? (I've certainly deposited 4
checks at a time in the past.) And what do I need to do to get you to
lift this limit?
-Howard
RE: General Inquiry
Ref. No: K06806938496F0A22
Dear Howard:
Thanks for contacting WaMu, now a part of Chase!
For security purposes, we have limited the number of ATM deposits a
customer may make on a daily basis. You may continue to make unlimited
deposits inside any WaMu financial center during normal business hours.
Also you may use our Bank by Mail service to mail deposits or
withdrawals to a WaMu account. Upon receipt, the transaction will
generally post within one business day.
To mail your transaction request to your account, include a deposit or
withdrawal slip and send to the following address:
Attn: Bank by Mail
P.O. Box 659588
San Antonio, TX 78265-9588
At no additional charge, we can send you a Bank by Mail kit containing
fifty encoded deposit slips with self-addressed envelopes. To order a
Bank by Mail kit, you may do one of the following:
---<snip>----
Were sorry for any inconvenience this situation may have caused.
If there's anything else, you may do one of the following:
- Go to https://online.wamu.com/MessageInbox/SendMessage.aspx
- Click "Log in," then enter your User Name and password and click the
Login button
- Complete the form, including the action you'd like us to take and
click the Send Message button. Once received, we generally reply
within 24 hours confirming the actions we've taken
01/17/2009 11:56:01 AM
Re:Re: General Inquiry
Your most recent reply only partially answered my previous questions.
Let me re-state the parts you did not answer: Now that you have limited
the number of deposits I can make at a WAMU ATM, do I have to wait 24
hours from the first deposit to make another, or do I have to wait until
I pass a particular daily time marker (like midnight)? And when did this
new rule go into effect? And what do I need to do to get this new rule
lifted? And an additional question: Is this new rule written down
anywhere? If I could read exactly what the rule states, it might make it
easier for both you and for me.
-Howard
RE: Re:Re: General Inquiry
Ref. No: K535314864971C751
Dear Howard:
Thank you for your email.
Please be advised, you are now limited to the number of ATM deposits
they are able to make per day with each individual ATM/Debit Card. This
change was implemented as a fraud-prevention measure. Other means of
making deposits (e.g., FC express box, FC representative) are still
available during normal business hours. Do not advise customers to use
the night drop, as the night depository service is intended for Business
Customers. For security reasons, Washington Mutual does not disclose the
limit.
The Notice of Change (Exhibit A) has been updated to indicate our
ability to set limits for security reasons. The Account Disclosures and
Regulations will be updated in March 2006.
For security purposes, Washington Mutual has limited the number of ATM
deposits a customer may make on a daily basis. However, customers may
still use other bank services, such as the FC express box or an FC
representative.