Best way to transport cash to a bank?

[MaggieTheCat]

I vend at craft shows and anime conventions. This means I am frequently depositing cash into my bank account, since that's the most common form of payment at these types of venues. After a big anime convention, I will frequently end up with several hundred or even $1000+ in cash to deposit. And it's occurred to me that that's a lot of money to be walking around with, even if it's just in and out of the bank.

Actually, I usually have my husband deposit the cash for me. My checking account is with a credit union that was founded and is run by his place of employment, and the main branch is right on the campus of his workplace, so it's easily for him to run in there after he gets done with work. Usually what I do is count down the lockbox, sort out everything I'm depositing, and bundle all the same types of bills together and put all the same types of coins into little baggies, then send him to the credit union with the whole lockbox (since there's often so much cash and change that it won't easily fit into a wallet or envelope.) But the lockbox is big, bulky, and bright blue. It's obviously a lockbox. And he goes around once a month to deposit for me and...well, I don't want anyone to catch on that he's semi-regularly depositing large amounts of cash and something bad happen.

Am I thinking about this too much? Is there a better way I can get that amount of cash into the credit union?

[Jester]

Yes. A very simple way. Put the very obvious lockbox in a not so obvious backpack. Everyone has backpacks. And just walk into the bank with the backpack over your shoulder, heavy as it will be, and pull out the lockbox in the bank. And put it back in the backpack before you leave the bank.

No muss, no fuss, no problem. Same reason my laptop case is of the backpack variety....no one thinks, "Oh, there goes a dude with a laptop for me to steal." Unless they actually see me pulling out my laptop or putting it back in the backpack, of course. Hey, nothing's foolproof, but you can cut way down on the number of fools that see what you are doing.

[Slayer]

Why does he need to have the lock box anyway? A small bag would do just as well. One of those reusable fabric grocery bags or even just a large pencil case would do the trick. No one can see what's in the bag and it's easy to bundle up to shove in a backpack or briefcase, depending on where he works.

[BookstoreEscapee]

Before we got the armored car service, we used to have to take the deposit to the bank and pick up change every day. (The first time I went - by myself - I was carrying over $14,000...the biggest deposit I ever took was over $35K but usually I didn't go alone; either the community relations manager or one of the receiving guys usually came with.) We had the money in a blue zippered pouch in a canvas tote bag; and then we'd put the change order in the tote bag to carry back. We'd also put it in the trunk of the car so it wasn't visible. Then again, we also didn't have large amounts of change since we kept all the small bills and coins in the safe for the tills, so I don't know if that would work as well for you. But Jester's right; just put the box inside another bag that's not so obvious.

[Aethian]

Why not ask the bank for one of their zippered pouches? Some of those even come with locks on them that make it so the bank can only open the envelope.

[Jester]

If you do get a bank bag (the aforementioned heavy-duty zippered envelope/pouch) you still will want to transport it in another carrier, as bank bags are very obvious to would be thieves.

[MaggieTheCat]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I usually send the cash in the lockbox since it, well, locks, and I feel safer having it in a lockable container than not. The credit union doesn't open until 9 but my husband has to be at work at 8, so he has to go after work, meaning the cash is sitting around all day, and I'd just prefer it in a secure container during that time. The lockable bank bag is a good idea, as is putting the lockbox in a backpack or other bag.

[Slayer]

If one of his coworkers wants to steal, they'll steal the whole box and pry it open later. That's just my experience anyway.

You could always have him attach a chain from the pouch to his bag or case so no one can walk away with it without taking his entire bag/case. Unless they're equipped with cutters XD. This can be along with the lock on the pouch.

[Jester]

Or have him leave the lockbox in his backpack, briefcase, or car trunk while he is at work, so it is not obvious or visible.

[Barracuda]

If he is going to walk around with that much money on a regular basis, concealed carry also may be something you want him to look into.

[Aethian]

If he is going to walk around with that much money on a regular basis, concealed carry also may be something you want him to look into.

Problem with that is he is heading to work with that and I don't think his employer would look kindly to a weapon.

[Greenday]

Handcuff it to himself. Gotta go hardcore!

Or just hide it like others say. But that's not as awesome.

[dalesys]

I am very strongly in favor of *requiring* all cash transportation beyond wallet amounts being done by a professional (armored car) service at random, unpredictable times.

This after having a co-worker describe the sensation of hearing a knife grinding on her spine when her previous job was robbed after closing.

She and the other girl survived. The perp was a former coworker at the fast-food joint who knew the deposit was made after closing & cleanup was finished.

...driving down 39th with one hand to the hospital, head hanging out the window to see (frost), and holding her throat together with the other. Yeah, about the most gruesome survivors tale I've personally known.

[Victory Sabre]

While it worked for me the one time I did it, I wouldn't recommend what I did when I had to take, almost 9k, in 100's, to the bank. I did it in a plain paper bag. That was the best I could think of on short notice.

Poker winnings can be fun to deal with. I just wish they would have written me a check.

[Shpepper]

Does the credit union have a night drop? If so you can make the deposits randomly at any time of the day or night. They will usually give you the zippered bank bags to use for deposits like this. You just fill out your deposit slips as normal, make a copy of the slip and then send it to the bank. That way it is not hanging around until after work for your husband. You can even ask the CU if they will prepare a receipt for him to pick up after work. Drop in the night deposit on the way in, have the CU process it during the day and then pick up the receipt on the way home. Less time for the cash to be sitting around.