Westpac customer reveals what happened after he made a ‘modest’ cash deposit

Aussie customer has called out a major bank’s act that he has labelled “outrageous” and “sickening.”

A pro poker player has unleashed on Westpac and accused the major bank of engaging in “despicable behaviour” after his account was blocked over a “very modest” cash deposit.

Crispin Rovere, also an Australian expert on US defence and politics, visited a smart ATM to deposit the lump sum after a successful poker session.

Rovere made his deposit without any incident but seconds later he received a message from a hotel saying they’d attempted to charge his card but it had declined.

“I immediately tried to log into internet banking but it was locked and said I had to call. I did so and was informed the fraud unit had locked it,” he told news.com.au

Mr Rovere took to Twitter, describing his experience dealing with the bank as a “sickening” and “totalitarian experience”.

“The fraud team blocked my account. At first I assumed it was for my own protection,” he wrote.

“They demanded to know where the money came from. I told them it was lawful and none of their business.

“They refused to give names or put the request in writing, but said the account would not be unblocked until I adequately explained these funds.”

Author Crispin Rovere has lashed Westpac after his account was reportedly blocked over a “very modest” cash deposit. Picture: Twitter

Mr Rovere claims the bank’s fraud team “demanded to know” where his cash came from. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Mr Rovere stressed it “wasn’t some huge sum triggering money laundering”, insisting it was “an everyday amount that could impact any ordinary person.”

“This is sickening and outrageous. The bank has no business in people’s private lives, save that required by law. Legislation must be passed now to hold banks to account for this despicable behaviour,” he finished.

He insisted the deposit was “way, way less” than $10,000 – the amount which typically triggers scrutiny and requires Australians to submit an official threshold transaction report.

Mr Rovere claimed that the only explanation Westpac’s service team could give for his account being blocked was because he made the deposit from a different state to where his account was registered.

“This is despite all transactions on the account having been made in this local area for several weeks now, and two stage verification being required for when the deposit occurred being linked directly to my own mobile phone number.

“As well as the fact that I proved identity at the branch and explained the deposit was my own,” he said.

Mr Rovere said he felt the only reason his accounts were frozen was because he used cash.

“The bank unilaterally seized my funds. They then treated me as a criminal, trespassing my account unless I disclosed to them personal information to which they were not entitled. It was a completely illegitimate standover.”

Mr Rovere has shared his cash story. Picture: supplied

Mr Rovere responded to one follower who pointed out that Australian society was becoming more cashless and therefore “cash deposits are going to look dodgier”.

“At first using cash was marginalised. Now it’s being stigmatised. Soon it’ll be criminalised,” he replied.

A Westpac spokesman told news.com.au that it couldn’t comment on specific cases but they exercised caution when it came to suspected fraud.

“Due to the high number of scams and fraud cases, we apply extra care to ensure the safety and security of customers. This might include temporarily blocking an account when unusual activity is observed so relevant checks can be carried out.”

Mr Rovere (above, on Q&A in 2016) is a keen poker player, an author and an analyst of US politics and defence policy. Picture: ABC

Earlier this month, Brisbane mum Taryn Comptyn cut ties with ANZ after being told by her local branch that she couldn’t withdraw $3,500 in cash. Picture: TikTok

The rant comes as banks, business and even local councils posture towards a move away from cash.

Earlier this month, a Queensland mum cut ties with her bank after being told she couldn’t withdraw cash from her local branch.

Brisbane woman Taryn Comptyn revealed she had visited her local branch to withdraw $3,500 to pay for renovations on her home.

When she arrived, she realised she had forgotten her bank card, so she went inside in a bid to withdraw the lump sum using a teller.

But she was shocked to learn that tellers had no access to cash whatsoever and that the only way to withdraw funds was via the ATM.

Efforts to promote a cashless society have recently increased by Australian banks forging partnerships with fintech (financial technology) start-ups and encouraging regional communities to embrace cashless events.

Bank bosses stated their positions on the trend at the Australian Financial Review Editors Forum in April.