# I withdrew $ 4,000 and my bank wants to know why **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 29, 2026, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002 "2026-07-29T15:05:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002/41 "2026-07-29T19:00:15Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > You got an override for your ATM withdraw instead of getting the cash from the teller you were already interacting with? I bank at BECU. They only have a couple distant branches with actual money inside. All the neighborhood branches are ATM machines plus staff sitting around at desks. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002/42 "2026-07-29T19:25:17Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > I overheard a lengthy/slightly drunken conversation about this very topic. It went on and on, but in the end they did actually reach consensus! The agreed upon answer is always, ‘A boat!’ apparently. > > The reasoning was, anyone can buy a boat, from lots of places, second hand, from the paper, your neighbour, lots of kinds of boats, could be located anywhere, could be any price. > > The advocate for this position insisted, they never had a follow up question. Probably for the reasons above. > > It was both an amusing and educational conversation to overhear. I have used it since, and the teller didn’t blink, end of inquiry. That might work for you and the person advocating it. But how many hypothetical “little old ladies” would be buying a boat? If I were a teller, I’d ask what kind of boat. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002/43 "2026-07-29T19:33:09Z")
I’ve encountered this before, and I get it. It’s to prevent me from being scammed. When I’ve asked my bank for a draft in an outrageous amount, I’m always asked who they should make it payable to. They relax when they hear that I’m using the draft to buy a new car from XYZ dealership or home repairs from ABC contractors. Those are legitimate well-known local businesses. I’m sure they would have further questions if I named an individual, or an unknown business. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002/44 "2026-07-29T19:37:59Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > True. Most scammers and con-men work on Senior citizens. Another common one is targeting people of the scammer’s own heritage or ethnicity. The target thinks that no one like them will scam them. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002/45 "2026-07-29T19:43:08Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Be very grateful that if someday you or your wife lose your marbles, they’ll ask a basic question that’ll save your retirement fund. It’s not necessary to lose one’s marbles to become a victim. Plenty of intelligent and sane people fall for these scams. The people running them are very, very good at what they do. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002/46 "2026-07-29T19:48:18Z")
BTW, I’m sure it’s bank policy to ask, but it’s it’s not clear to me that they wouldn’t give you the money if you just said, “thank you for asking, I’ll take the money now.” ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002/47 "2026-07-29T19:50:35Z")
The last time I had to get a big pile of cash out of the bank, I was kind of nervous about it myself, because I knew it looked suspicious, so I told the teller before I was even asked that the auto mechanic preferred cash. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002/48 "2026-07-29T19:51:03Z")
Maybe not if it’s an elderly person looking agitated and terrified. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002/49 "2026-07-29T19:52:48Z")
> [@robby](#): > > But how many hypothetical “little old ladies” would be buying a boat? If I were a teller, I’d ask what kind of boat. “A powerful one so I can go waterskiing, sonny” ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002/50 "2026-07-29T19:53:34Z")
I remember two crime cases involving murder the families held captive in their homes where a family member was escorted to their bank and made to withdrawal large amount of money. Thousands of dollars. They didn’t reveal their dire predicament to any bank personnel for fear of reprisal to their families. I doubt they presented a calm demeanor while withdrawing a large sum. But what more could a bank teller do? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002/51 "2026-07-29T19:58:41Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > It’s not necessary to lose one’s marbles to become a victim. Plenty of intelligent and sane people fall for these scams. Oh, of course. I was tailoring my answer to Chefguy. But you’re right, I’ve seen numerous articles by people who work in tech reporting who fall for scams. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002/52 "2026-07-29T20:22:00Z")
I would be glad my bank is checking things like that to make sure it’s not a scam, too many people just send money without thinking who they are actually sending it too. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002/53 "2026-07-29T20:27:26Z")
> [@chela](#): > > I remember two crime cases involving murder the families held captive in their homes where a family member was escorted to their bank and made to withdrawal large amount of money. Thousands of dollars. They didn’t reveal their dire predicament to any bank personnel for fear of reprisal to their families. I doubt they presented a calm demeanor while withdrawing a large sum. But what more could a bank teller do? That happened in a [2007 home invasion murder in Cheshire, Connecticut](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Cheshire,_Connecticut_murders). The wife of the household was taken to their bank to withdraw $15,000 while her husband and two daughters were at home with the second perpetrator, though in this case, she told the bank teller that her family was being held hostage. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002/54 "2026-07-29T20:36:07Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > That happened in a [2007 home invasion murder in Cheshire, Connecticut](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Cheshire,_Connecticut_murders). The wife of the household was taken to their bank to withdraw $15,000 while her husband and two daughters were at home with the second perpetrator, though in this case, she told the bank teller that her family was being held hostage. Not that it did her any good, sadly. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002/55 "2026-07-29T20:38:15Z")
The story still haunts me, particularly the detail that the local police putzed around outside “establishing a perimeter” while the wife and daughters were being raped and murdered. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002/56 "2026-07-29T21:00:13Z")
Such a heinous crime, that poor mom, taking a risk and waiting on help that never arrives. The other event was the DC mansion murders. [D.C. mansion murders - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D.C._mansion_murders). The dad has 40k delivered to the house by his assistant who is assured by the dad all is well. then the family is killed. Two daughters were away at the time left to pick up the pieces. ---
**Author:** ![Jegpeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jegpeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jegpeg)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002/57 "2026-07-29T23:40:15Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > What policies / procedures probably vary by where you buy them & probably by amount, too, & even time of year. Buy a single $50 GC, no one’s going to say anything, buy $500 one store might, while another chain might not question anything under $1000. A bunch of $50 or $100 cards bought in Dec with an explanation of employee/client gifts will also probably be easily approved/ignored as reasonable & not heading off a scam. True, I usually buy gift cards for Christmas presents for my nephew and nieces and their kids. The place I buy them have a policy of a maximum of 5 cards per transaction. Every year they just tell me this and put it through as 2 or 3 separate transactions. I have no idea how this improves security. (Maybe if it wasn’t December and I was older they would ask more questions) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002/58 "2026-07-29T23:46:52Z")
> [@Jegpeg](#): > > I usually buy gift cards for Christmas presents for my nephew and nieces and their kids. The place I buy them have a policy of a maximum of 5 cards per transaction. What place, out of curiosity? Not Home Depot I assume? And can I assume the amounts are not that high? ---
**Author:** ![Jegpeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jegpeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jegpeg)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002/59 "2026-07-30T00:17:03Z")
Asda, a UK supermarket, they have not only their own gift cards but also gift cards for things like Amazon, books (from any book retailer), clothing stores and cinema (movie theatre) chains. (I just find it convenient to buy them with my groceries) Amounts are not that high typically I get about 10 cards for £25 (~$30) each. Cards available are usually in the £10-£100 range (possibly higher) but I have been told the maximum is 5 cards, it doesn’t seem to depend on the value at all. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002/60 "2026-07-30T00:22:21Z")
Most large stores in the US, no matter what their primary business, have a rack somewhere of all kinds of gift cards, including other stores, restaurants, online services like Amazon, Itunes, and Google Play, etc. You won’t usually see a store’s direct competitors (so, no Whole Foods gift cards in Giant Eagle), but other than that, pretty much all of them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-withdrew-4-000-and-my-bank-wants-to-know-why/1032002.md?page=4)