Cash stolen from Irish couple’s Chase safety deposit box

You know what most likely happened? Someone at the bank "borrowed" the money. I bet whoever is in charge of the boxes ( a manager ) decided that he/she will borrow the money as a short-term loan and return it before they even notice it was missing. Except somehow he/she wasn't able to do so and now it's gone too far for them to simply have the money appear magically right? Also, it isn't unheard of for banks to take the stuff in the safety deposit boxes if someone hasn't been accessing it for years. You would be surprised how many boxes go unclaimed because people move, forgot, or died and never told anyone about the boxes. I bet the bank was going to remove the a box with similar numbers on it but picked their's by accident.

Anyone thinking one member of this couple stole it from the other isn't playin with a full deck.... on reporting this to the bank, the bank's first action would have been to check the activity on the box(sign in every time, and it's logged) in an effort to move blame to the couple. Obviously the activity that showed up encouraged this couple to pursue the matter further. Regarding Crough Patrick's comment you obviously haven't read the full story but still insist on arrogantly assuming that these people are scammers. http://www.riverdalepress.com/stories/No-safety-for-deposit-box-users-at-Chase,48154 More than likely it was someone in the bank, but Chase's historically poor performance in dealing with customer complaints will no doubt prove a huge headache for this couple. I have worked as a commodity trader for over 20 years and when Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy in 2008 I also moved some of my savings into a deposit box. It's such a shame though that commercial banks don't take the security issues regarding safety deposit boxes seriously and honest hard working people have to suffer the consequences. I hope the other person whose box was robbed comes forward publicly as it would assist both claims. I wish them every success in redeeming their money. Don't lose hope!

First off, Chuck97, I believe that you are mistaken, it is not illegal to keep cash in a bank box. Immigrants often have memories of banks failing and accounts going bad in other countries (can anyone say "Iceland?). People often hear about a $10,000 reporting requirement, but that is for U.S. Citizens and permanent residents to report accounts of $10,000 or more in a non-U.S. financial account (IF YOU HAD SUCH ACCOUNT IN 2010 FILE YOUR FBAR WITH THE IRS IN DETROIT ASAP!). Chase does not have a good reputation in treating it's customers (try the search term "Chase Sucks"--you will be overwhlemed), so I would not be so fast to assume this couple are running a scam, just showing poor judgemnet.

Not everyone puts money in a bank, especially now. I am in Ireland and wont use a bank now, they have screwed us enough. They seem a hard working couple trying to get on. The camera will tell the tale.

Why did they not put it in a savings account where they could have gotten a little bit of interest and been safe under FDIC rules? Dumb.

I would questian weather or not the Money was ever in the box.. And if so,,, For how long Before it went thuough a NYRA window

First of all it is illegal to have cash in a safe deposit box. Second why hide the money? Hmmm. In my 35 years in banking this is the first time I have heard of such a thing(except the movies).The money is not covered under bank insurance but there is insurance the customer can purchase themselves,which I doubt they have. Lots of luck. SLANTE

Never, never, never leave your key in the lock with the door open after you take your box out. Always, always, always take your key with you. I fought this practice with Commerce Bank, now TD Bank in Pennsylvania for years. Always made them give me the key while I had my box. Any bank employee can take your key while you are in that private safe deposit box room and make a wax copy. After working in retail, you can't imagine how widespread theft and dishonesty is among employees. I still am in disbelief that the old rules for safe deposit boxes have become so lax at banks.

Are there cameras in the safety deposit area? I'm with those who wonder why the cash wasn't in an account earning even low interest...sounds like someone was betting on the ponies and lost.

I'm with those who wonder why the cash wasn't deposited in an account.

What proof do they have that money was in that box and this is not a way for these folks to come up with money they needed and didn't have? Why wasn't the money not put into a savings acct. where there is an accounting of the money as well as protection with "insurance" as well as a little interest to be earned? How does any one know if either of the couple has been dipping into it and afraid to say any thing.

Im sure the bank manager laughed in their faces just as I would. Either the wife and husband are making up this story or one of them stole it. why not say there was $50,000 dollars cash in there? let me guess, no other box has been stolen only their one, the one with cash.

why was the cash not deposited into a bank account? can someone give me an explanation why it was a good move not to do so????. I am puzzled..

One of the benefits of living in the Big Apple.

Something very fishy here on the part of the bank. I hope everyone else at that bank that has a safe deposit box is checking it out.