I had switched banks after writing checks on my previous bank and some ended up not clearing before money went to the new bank. I guess I still owe the bank something around $700. This bank has not been sending me letters either. My chain of command called me in today and told me that one of the bank (managers?) called and said that I owed their bank money, but he was calling because he thought I had a gambling problem. None of the checks written were even to a casino, and now my bosses think that I may have a gambling problem. It does not look favorably on me for obvious reasons and also because I do have financial problems as I am going through a divorce. I feel like suing these guys not just for the $700 that may or may not be owed, but for a lot more. Do I have a case? Thanks.

You need to cover the amount of $ owed to the other bank immediately. Be thankful they haven't dunned you for the overdraft charges. Calling your employer is not a reason to sue them. If anything they were trying to be kind to you by checking out the situation versus dunning you for the overdraft fees. Which would you rather have? Overdraft fees and a possible charge for kiting checks? Or having to explain to your boss? I'll take the former any day.

Heck forget about overdraft charges, be thankful they haven't arrested you for passing bad paper. You should never have emptied and closed the first account until all checks had cleared. How do you think your bosses would feel if you were arrested?

Call the bank IMMEDIATELY and work out IMMEDIATE payment of what you owe them.

While it may have seemed to be defamation, without knowing EXACTLY what was said its hard to tell if there was a case or not. However, they have a strong case against you for passing bad checks.

I would ask the manager of the bank (or a supieror) what makes him suspect you have a gambling issue. Then ask him for a letter of apology since his assumption could cause you problems. If he refuses, then I would take it to the next level and/or sue- if you can afford to.

You need to ASAP cover the 700 dollars This is totally your error and mistake, you do not close one account until all the checks are cleared. You are suppose to have your check book balanced to the penny, if it was a 34 cent error but not a 700 dollar error.

Correct, also you did not say you did not gamble, just that the last items to clear were not gambling, the bank of course has access to all of the records.