Posted by BillyJack/NC on 5/7/11 10:08am
Msg #382473

A Keen Signature Services..Atlanta: Beware !

Received a check today for a closing 45 days ago..noone
signed the check as an authorized signature... !

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 5/7/11 12:47pm
Msg #382503

Not sure what you are saying, they didn't sign the check???

Reply by BillyJack/NC on 5/7/11 12:49pm
Msg #382504

Correct..noone signed the check..

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 5/7/11 12:53pm
Msg #382506

This guy's been around a long time, I would give them the benefit of the doubt and assume the check was unsigned in error. Did you call them to let them know?

Reply by BillyJack/NC on 5/7/11 1:06pm
Msg #382507

Yes, but they are not in on Saturday. I believe you are correct, as I sent the
check back asking them to sign it and return it..and I will call them Mon. AM

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 5/7/11 1:21pm
Msg #382512

Honestly BillyJack to post a beware of this company was uncalled for. I understand your frustration it's happened to me but you need to be careful not to hurt anyone's business unless it's warranted. Have a great weekend I'm sure they will rectify the problem. If they don't then you should post the beware.

Reply by Les_CO on 5/7/11 3:45pm
Msg #382525

I’d have deposited the check, and let the bank(s) work it out. Giving someone a ‘bad check’ is in most States a criminal offence, owing them money is not. If the check clears fine, if it doesn’t, you have ammunition. JMO

Reply by SouthernOK on 5/7/11 9:07pm
Msg #382531

Without a signature the check is not a negotiable instrument, therefore the bank should not accept it for deposit.

Sometimes you'll find a teller that won't catch it, but that is really hit or miss.

You did right by calling them about the matter and letting the maker correct the mistake.

Reply by NJDiva on 5/7/11 10:24pm
Msg #382534

Un-depositable check...

I tried to deposit a check earlier this week which I had received from a company I did a closing for. It was the first time I worked for them. A couple weeks after the closing they emailed and asked me to forward my invoice. I forgot (no I don't have it like that, I was just procrastinating) and they ended up calling me to remind me to forward the invoice because she "wanted to get my payment out. The check was on her desk waiting to be sent out, they just needed my invoice."

I sent it over later that day. I received the check a couple of days later...HOWEVER...I have no idea WHY, but someone had crossed out the amount, WROTE it in and initialed it. It was for the same amount as was typed. I found it very peculiar.

I tried to deposit it into my account and my bank refused it because they do not (no longer?) accept altered checks. I argued that it was initialed and they said it doesn't matter, they don't accept altered checks.

When I first saw it, I remembered feeling like it was going to be an issue, so of course when the bank refused to deposit it, my thought was that they were trying to delay payment. Then I started getting cynical and thinking all these crazy thoughts...Now I have to send it back and wait for them to send another...What do they think I'm naive?...How are they trying to get out of paying me with this one?...yada yada yada

And then, duh, it occurred to me that THEY were the ones chasing me down to pay me. How often does THAT happen? Why in the world would they do that? So I called them and asked them why in the world they did that (made that correction) and they gave some answer about it not looking legible or something; so long story short, they put a check in the mail that day and I received it two days later.

Stuff happens. I agree that A Keen is a good company...at least I never had any issues with them. I think they may have been slow to pay (me), but they do pay. I'm sure it was just an oversight.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 5/8/11 3:00am
Msg #382540

"Stuff happens" True! Why not give benefit of the doubt 1st? n/m

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 5/8/11 9:46am
Msg #382553

An unsigned check would only come back to the depositor

Reply by Les_CO on 5/8/11 11:22am
Msg #382562

Okay…okay!
I’m saying what “I” would have done.
I’m NOT a banker, but my bank does stuff ‘electronically’ like ‘electronic funds transfer’ or something. They don’t care about the check, or anything about it except the account numbers, and if the ‘payor’ will accept the charges.
With close to 14 questions/comments here on this board about companies (in the past 2 pages) being deadbeats, not paying, still in business, or whatever, I’d CMA. I would not send the check back, I’d submit it for payment (as stated) of keep it and ask for a replacement..
If I have to go to court to collect at least I have some physical evidence to support my claim…..signed or not…(If they didn’t owe my why did they send me this check?)
Yes “stuff” happens. But why is it that this ‘stuff’ happens only AFTER we go and do the job as contract for, and done properly? I personally and a little sick of hearing about all the problems these hiring entities are having. Do they say in front “Gee guys we don’t have the capital to pay you, and if our ‘other’ expenses exceed what we collect…we’ll we’ll stall (not sign the check) or forget, or the “dog ate it” or maybe just not pay you at all?” No they say hurry and do the signing, fax this stuff back, and we will fine you if you don’t call this (nonexistent) number six times.
Understand I’m not singling out the SS the OP mentioned, this is in general. Actually I think I’ve worked for A Keen, and they paid me.
JMO!

Reply by jba/fl on 5/8/11 2:03pm
Msg #382568

Banking is done online these days and people scan the checks right into their computer hooked up to the bank's computer. It is all the little magnetic numbers and symbols that are read, not signatures.

I have received the unsigned check, I have inadvertantly sent an unsigned check. All have passed muster with the banks and get debited/credited flawlessly.

If you think you can stall the electric or phone companies by not signing your check, you are in for a rude awakening....overdraft charges.

Reply by jba/fl on 5/8/11 2:04pm
Msg #382569

I have never worked for Keen and I do not make these

statements with Keen in mind - only as a practical advisement.

Reply by LKT/CA on 5/8/11 5:31pm
Msg #382577

<<<If you think you can stall the electric or phone companies by not signing your check, you are in for a rude awakening....overdraft charges.>>>

You're right, and not only that but years ago, my hubby accidentally put the gas company payment check in the electric company envelope and vice versa and mailed them. Each company cashed the check anyway.

Reply by SouthernOK on 5/8/11 9:49pm
Msg #382589

Commercial accounts are run by proof not tellers

Commercial accounts deposit directly to proof departments or via image files converted to ACH.

The only way that an error would be caught on those accounts deposits is by the check maker (originator...you.) Signature or not it's up to you to protest a false debit to your account.

Regular small deposits are visually inspected by a person, not a computer thus the signature error would/should be detected.

These are just the policies from the banks I have been employed.