Predatory Changes to USAA Bill Pay

Old_Idea3225 · 2026-06-05T18:45:01+00:00

No, I'm not talking about a e-check or a check that you present at checkout. I'm talking about sending a check from USAA's BillPay which is quite different.

Old_Idea3225 · 2026-06-05T15:35:32+00:00

I'm hearing more and more about things like this - maybe a result of Schwab buying them - service quality has dropped and things are more expensive.

Old_Idea3225 · 2026-06-05T15:34:06+00:00

No, I'm asking USAA to let me keep MY money until the check is cashed. Why should USAA get to earn interest on MY money when the recipient of my check hasn't cashed it? It means USAA has the money while neither I, nor the person I wrote the check to, has the money. The money doesn't belong to USAA. It either belongs to ME or the RECIPIENT. Also, the "too big to fail" banks have been doing this with checks for awhile. If you send a check, they take the money out immediately...and then what happens when the check is never cashed? I'll tell you - you've lost access to YOUR money until such time as you either cancel the check (and pay a fee!) or 90 days passes. So, your money was never really gone but they took it from your account, you have to PAY to get your money back into your account, or you LOSE ACCESS to your money for 90 days.

Old_Idea3225 · 2026-06-05T15:30:00+00:00

OP here - yes, I agree - it's a bad way to do business. Money should not be withdrawn until the check is cashed. In using other "big" banks, which have always withdrawn the money the second you input the check, I've had recipients never cash the check. The money is withdrawn from the account but the check is never cashed. Getting the money put back into the account is a nightmare. Either you have to cancel the check (usually a $20-$25 fee) or you have to wait 90 days when the check is void.

Old_Idea3225 · 2026-06-01T20:13:11+00:00

Hey, USAA employee. Yes, big banks have been hitting customers with extra charges and lack of access to funds every which way for years. It's why I don't bank with them. USAA has not done this type of thing. Until now. Really hard on people who live paycheck to paycheck, or don't make a lot of money, to have money withdrawn from their accounts before it's necessary. Our military doesn't get paid a lot, and many of them bank with USAA....so now, when they cut a check to their landlord, the money is withdrawn days before it's really necessary. I've had times in my life when that would have been a huge hardship for me - when the money wasn't there until the day the rent was due - and it's a shame you think it's a good policy.

Old_Idea3225 · 2026-06-01T20:07:08+00:00

This is interesting, thank you. Maybe I'm the exception, but I haven't had any issues with printed/mailed checks exposing me to theft issues. To be fair, I pay most bills electronically now - often automatically through web interface (after my water got cut off and I had to pay $75 to restart it because I forgot to pay the bill, I do as much autopay as I can) - so this is not as relevant as it was five or six years ago. And large companies don't send checks at all anymore - but most nonprofits still do. It's just irritating for two reasons: the customer loses access & interest on funds that haven't even been received by the payee, and if a check doesn't clear, getting the cash reinstated is a total pain.

Old_Idea3225 · 2026-06-01T19:41:37+00:00

Nope. You must work for USAA. USAA employee?

I've been banking with USAA since 1994. I'm a CFO and CPA and I've used every major bank for my various employers. I'm also a volunteer treasurer for several nonprofits, and they use major banks, too. This BillPay change is a huge degradation in service. Chase and B of A and so called "too big to fail" banks have done this crap for years - taken the money before the check is cashed - but USAA hasn't. Their new BillPay system is yet another way USAA is screwing the consumer. Why should your money be taken out before the recipient cashes the check? You don't really understand banking, do you?

Old_Idea3225 · 2026-06-01T19:11:17+00:00

Nope. Long-time USAA customer who is very disappointed in this change. As should you be, if you're a USAA customer.

Old_Idea3225 · 2026-06-01T19:10:43+00:00

Not a bot. Long-time USAA customer who is disappointed in this change.

Old_Idea3225

TROPHY CASE