Re: Any recourse?

Um... don't they have to get a warrant for that sort of stuff and doesn't it have to be served to you?

Nope... Not anymore. Anything left with the bank is considered their property until you retrieve it. The bank can give access to the box at any time to any one claiming to be a "law enforcement" agent or a federal agent. Normally they don't even need to provide identification that they are an agent. The bank nor the agent do not need your express permission to open it.

Rule of Story: DON'T USE DEPOSIT BOXES.

Same is true for storage lockers.

Wow I never realized that deposit boxes were that insecure and open to abuse. Guess you gotta find another more secure place to store stuff. Perhaps encrypted on the cloud somewhere.

Of course cops who raid safety boxes have to provide some identification to prove they are part of the right gang. The only thing that has changed in recent years is that now the bank officers can be obliged to keep the violation secret. The mafia has taken over.

As to the cloud, sure that's an option if you have a good encryption program.