Unusual Incident Reports: Samples of Writing Required of Bank Tellers

by Angela F. Wofford

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Sample 1 (L1)

Around 10:30 A.M. on 12-12-91, a black male came to my teller window to cash a First American check on XXXX's Printing, account number 1212121212. I looked at the check and saw it was written out except for the line "pay to the order of." That was printed. I had not seen the check before. I did an inquiry on the account and saw that it was opened March of 1991. I called the branch and spoke with Sandra. She verified it was a good account and was familiar with the account but would fax a signature card to me. After comparing the signature, I knew it was not the same.

While I was calling the branch, the man said the company moved yesterday and did not have a connection on the phone. I had asked the customer to have a seat and I would wait on him A.S.A.P. He said he had to go see about his car. The way it was parked he may get a ticket. He left, and he did not come back. I carried the check to Sheri, my supervisor, for comparing the signatures.

Sample 2 (L1)

I (Sheri) contacted the customer at 555-1212 and inquired about the check. She said she did write the check; I told her that I called out of concern because the signature on the check did not match the signature on file and also because the man left in a hurry. She asked someone if they wrote a check. Then she told me she would need to go to her other store to verify her records.

She gave me the number 555-3434 for her other store and asked me to call in about an hour which would have been about 11:50 A.M. The customer did not come back to the bank.

Sample 3 (L1)

Split-deposit fraud attempted by white male approximately 6 feet tall, 190 to 200 pounds wearing balck jacket and printed shirt with white background.

Suspect approached me and asked for a counter deposit slip. I gave suspect the deposit slip and told suspect that I needed to go in the back room and that I would be right out. While I was in the back, I notified Tom Allen in Account Services of the situation. Tom told me to take the deposit items from suspect, then tell suspect we had a problem with the account and that I was calling the police. When I told suspect that I was calling police, he turned and left the branch.

The split deposit was attempted with a Nations Bank check for $900.00 in the account name of Sam Jones made payable to Susan Smith. Suspect wanted to deposit $600.00 and receive $300.00 back in cash. Account being used in deposit belonged to Pat Jones (male), account #3434343434. Suspect described is the same individual on video.

Sample 4 (L1)

Suspect approached me with $30.00 check to be cashed. While I was processing transaction, suspect said he wanted small bills in a brown paper bag and that his ID was covered in plastic explosives. I grabbed all my small bills, and the suspect asked for a bag again. I told him I did not have a bag. Suspect laughed and told me I had a good sense of humor. Suspect then raised his arms up and told me not to worry he was robbing me. Suspect said he had something in his head that made him say things like that. Suspect was given the $30.00, and he left the building.

Sample 5 (L1)

Individual entered the branch and presented a check drawn on us in the account name of Lisa Jones, #1313131313 for $249.00. He had a Georgia issued state ID #343434343/DOB 1-12-69/expiration 1-12-00. I called for a signature card to verify Ms. Jones' signature. I felt that the check was a forgery so I tried to call Ms. Jones but could not get in touch with her. Individual was very calm and made no attempt to run. I could not prove that check was forged, so I gave check and ID back and told him I could not cash the check.

Sample 6 (L2)

A man try to make a split deposit to account #1212121212 at the name of Mary Jones he is not on her account. He had her driver's license, a VISA Classic card from Citibank and he also shown me his ID when he came to my window he has the deposit slip ready, but he fill the wrong deposit slip so I change for the correct one. I told him that the only way to make this transaction it was deposit the whole amount of the check and also we have to put a hold.

Black man, short hair, small mustache, 5'11". Suspect offer money to me if I make the transaction available immediately.