My parents' safe deposit box was ripped off by Chase Bank in Sacramento, CA

Do they have receipts on the savings bonds? If not they can contact the Treasury to locate the bonds and/or their status.

I have heard, and read, many "horror" stories about this exact problem...so where is a good place other than ones home to store valuables, including cash and precious metals?? -is there anywhere??

My parents had a safety deposit box with American Savings and Loan in Sacramento, which was purchased by Washington Mutual, which was purchased by Chase. They've had this box since 1980 or so and kept some gold and silver coins and some savings bonds that were gifts to them from older family members who have since passed on.

My parents had stopped receiving a bill for the safe deposit box and called the bank to inquire about that. They were told that they no longer had a safe deposit box with the bank because they had been into the bank and picked it up four years ago and that the manager had used his/her discretion to open it up for them without my parents' keys to the box. My parents are in their late 50s, so their memory isn't what it used to be, but they do not recall picking up the box. They no longer live in Sacramento so it would have been about a three hour trip to pick it up. Also, the bank cannot produce any proof they picked it up, and, most importantly, my parents still have the keys to the box.

I'm so upset for them. My parents are really good people who have worked so hard their whole lives and they don't have a lot of money. They weren't counting on this for retirement, but it would have really helped.

Their next steps are to escalate this within Chase to management above the branch level and see what they will do to help them. After that, if the bank isn't helpful, they're not sure what to do next

Anyone have any suggestions?

Has anyone pointed out yet that no one at the bank can access a box without the keys that 'renter/lessee' of the box are given?

Without the Bank key, and the 'lessee' key, the box will have to be forced (usually drilling the lock)...

Has anyone pointed out yet that no one at the bank can access a box without the keys that 'renter/lessee' of the box are given?

Without the Bank key, and the 'lessee' key, the box will have to be forced (usually drilling the lock)...

Since they still have their key, something's amiss. There's no way a bank would let them keep it, with a properly closed account.

bank holds keys that can open it. you can get a copy if you

lose yours.

Yeah, I did

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I'm 58 and would certainly remember if I'd emptied and closed out a safe deposit box! It's kind of a big deal, especially with some cool old family treasures in there.

Since they still have their key, something's amiss. There's no way a bank would let them keep it, with a properly closed account.

Sorry I have no suggestions but here's a bump.
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I closed out my lock box - cuz i heard banks do this

if they go out - its becomes the govt - and even if there is a death and no POD - it goes to probate before they can even open it for family

you pay for the rental of the box once a year - do they have their paperwork or proof of paymts?

there would be a signature where your parents signed they picked up the contents, left the keys etc

I just did this not that long ago - had to give them the keys back and SIGN a BOOK

ask the bank where is the sign out book

verify that it was your parents signature

if they are lying - hire an attorney - but you HAVE to have some kind of proof- such as the paymts being made
seems odd you would still have keys
Im almost 60 and I can assure you I would remember for sure if I closed something out or not