Recently we inquired about a check we deposited with a local Wells Fargo bank where we have an account. The check was in the amount of $10,000 and drawn from a New Zealand bank (the check has not cleared the bank therefore we believe has not been cashed). This deposit was made about June 20, 2007 (just days after our vacation). We were told by the "teller" and possibly a service manager that the check would take anywhere from 4 weeks to 10 weeks to clear and that the funds would not be available. Furthermore, the check would be processed through a department they referred to as "collections". My partner requested a receipt of the deposit and was told they would not issue one. Concerned, my partner stated then how would we know that the check would not get lost. The Wells Fargo people stated not to worry the check would not be lost.

Unfortunately, the 10 weeks have come and gone with no deposit made. My partner began inquiring about the check on August 23 and was told it would take about 3 days to locate the check. Of course, the teller and service manager remembered my partner and made promises to call on the following Monday. It is now Wednesday and my partner has had to make several calls back to the bank. The bank does not appear to be taking this seriously enough to contact my partner.

Not only have we lost money due to the currency exchange but the teller implied that perhaps we should have my partners Dad place a stop payment on the check. Our question is, who do we contact from here... the bank is telling us to be patient while they "look" for the check. I think we have been patient but I think its time to lodge an official complaint. Does anyone have any ideas?

You did not mention whether you had a check stub or copy of the actual check. I would be surprised to find that you did not, seeing the amount of money involved, but since I work in tech support I'm trained to see even small user errors. I fear your road will be hard if you cannot prove you ever had the check in your possession.

Also, here's something to think about. The exchange could have been made and the deposit entered as the exchaged sum. Then an undertrained customer service teller might not know exactly what to look for when you mention a ten thousand dollar check. It sounds farfetched, I guess, but I've seen dumber things cause bigger foul-ups.

All in all, I subscribe to the wise doctor's advice, "when you hear hoofprints, think horses, not zebras." The likelihood that the check is lost is extraordinarily high. My years of office experience have shown me the truly astounding number of important pieces of paper that fall behind filing cabinets and so forth. You should act (stop payment, protect yourself, etc.) as though it was lost unless and until you find out it wasn't. Don't dig your hole deeper by giving someone more time and opportunity to commit fraud using your "lost" check.

My insane side popped up and gibbered something paranoid about ten thousand dollars triggering Patriot Act oversight, and strongly hinted that if the gubmint confiscates something they think is remotely likely to be drug-related, terrorism-related, otherwise questionable, or merely tasty when a hungry official is around, then you will never find it or get it back. But that's insane. Right?