To keep their property safe, they rented a safe deposit box at U.S. Private Vaults. ... They've been able to keep it because of the country's vague standards of civil forfeiture law, which allows the government to seize property and assets without any actual evidence of criminal wrongdoing.

Can a bank seize a safety deposit box?

While creditors can seize a safe deposit box, this is usually a last resort and requires obtaining a judgement and placing a lien on your personal property. The creditor then has to locate your safe deposit box and have the approval to seize and liquidate it.

Is it illegal to hide money in a safe deposit box?

In the first place, you will be losing out on any interest you could earn if the money was properly deposited with the bank. ... While it's true that keeping cash in a safe deposit box is not illegal, many banks have adopted policies that forbid the practice outright.