I have specific scenario to tee up a general question. I was issued a check from a mail-in rebate program. This check was self-printed. I got a link via email and printed a check on A4 paper at home. The check is issued from APFCO from a rebate program from pet medication. Both the printed check and their FAQ say that this is a legal check.
My bank refused to accept the check for deposit in person. The clerk claimed that they wouldn't take it for mobile deposit either. The clerk spoke to his manager and also called HQ. He claimed that it was not acceptable because the check scanner wouldn't feed it. After talking to HQ he claimed that the legal department issued the policy. The clerk told me to cash it at my local big box store, but they would charge a fee for that.
I attempted mobile deposit after leaving the bank and it was apparently successful, it may be a few days before that clears and shows up in my account.
I have significantly more on deposit with this bank than the check is for. I would assume that this would mean that if the check were bad that the bank would not be out any money.
This specific scenario brought up a general question: What laws or typical conventions cover what a bank may or must accept for deposit?
What options do I have to solve this problem?
Is the check issuer on correct legal ground?
Is there any legal or policy recourse I might have with my bank?
I suspect that this is yet another money-grab from a mail-in-rebate program. Getting a product and $50 back sounds like a good deal but some number of people won't fill out the form, a few more won't follow through and print the check, some additional folks won't cash the check, and finally there's the deposit barrier from my bank.