They just screwed me over for the last time and first thing tomorrow I'm switching banks.

I knew my account was getting low on funds. Friday: I transferred 50.00 from my savings to checking via ATM. I can't do it over the phone because they actually charge for that. The transfer was successful and I had the receipt to prove it. This receipt means nothing.

This 50.00 was MORE than enough for the few little things I planned to purchase.

For some reason the 50.00 was reversed. The people on the phone could NOT tell me why and blew it off as the ATM screwing up.

Whatever. Somehow, there was STILL enough funds in my account to cover the $5.00 purchases I made...

According to the reps on the phone - my balance was CURRENT and CORRECT. I watch my purchases, I keep track and I had money in there.There were no pending charges. The last charge they told me was for that stupid $5.00 which was what I thought.

There was 15.00 left in the account. I haven't touched it or made any purchases of any kind.

Nope.. I call today and I'm 100.00 over drawn. Apparently there's a 100.00 insufficent funds fee...which makes NO SENSE but they are telling me it is *my error* and *not a bank error* therefore I'm screwed because I can't stop my direct deposit on Monday.

Why are their reps allowed to tell you that your balance is fine, you're all set, nothing to worry about - and then 2 days later I call and get this information? That is such bs!

I love how I Googled the bank name and found a bunch of other people complaining of the same ****.

It's a local bank.. not even a huge one.

[possum220]

$100 does seem an excessive charge.

But if you aren't happy with their service best thing you can do is change banks. Maybe even try Credit Unions. I find them more user friendly.

Sounds more like a fine than a fee. Perhaps calling the offices of your Congressional Delegation might be useful. One of the staff at the office would call the bank and get an explanation. One time a staff person found the action taken to be illegal.

Might be worth a try.

[ruffy]

I paid all my bills via check one month only to have them all bounce. When I called the bank, they said they were waiting for a $100,000 dollar check that I deposited to clear, and that my account was frozen. When I told them that I didnt deposit a check for $100,000, they readily agreed that they had made a mistake, and would fix it immediately, and they did. Funny how fast they were able to clear that one up. Yes! I did think twice about telling them the truth

It was $100 when I called yesterday.

I called this morning and it's up to 198!

The teller was sympathetic and I explained the whole thing and said that if they record calls then they need to find the recording of the last time I called where THEIR REP told me they could see all my charges, my account was current and I was "all set" and had "nothing to worry about". The only thing they could do was send it to someone to "review" and I was told I'd get a phone call by the end of the day and I did not.

You'd think I must've did some crazy spending to get those charges..right? The teller is going through my transactions..one by one.. Come to find out - THE ACCOUNT WAS TECHNICALLY ONLY 8 BUCKS OVER DRAWN!!! So how in the hell? Just..what?

This should be illegal...but good news is that I was told on August 1st there's some new law passing where banks can't add up "overdraft" fees like this. I went through this before but the situation was different... it was because I was using a debit card for gas purchases and they put MORE on hold than I used.. so their "holds" over drew the account and then they took out fees.

Really..how can they take out the amount in fines when it adds up so much that it takes your income for the week? So I can't eat for a week or 2 because they're assholes?

[ruffy]

(((MFP))) I bet if you went over to the bank and started discussing your issues with a bank representitive, using your OUTSIDE VOICE, they may be a little more willing to do something about it. Good luck!!! Sorry your having to go through this...

[FooZe]

Originally Posted by ruffy

I bet if you went over to the bank and started discussing your issues with a bank representitive, using your OUTSIDE VOICE, they may be a little more willing to do something about it.

I don't think that's a safe bet, ruffy. If the bank wanted an excuse to have a customer escorted out, that would give them one. Here's Elysium describing in her blog how something along those lines happened to her a few months ago: Consumer’s Nightmare!!

Originally Posted by Fool Zero

I don't think that's a safe bet, ruffy. If the bank wanted an excuse to have a customer escorted out, that would give them one. Here's Elysium describing in her blog how something along those lines happened to her a few months ago: Consumer’s Nightmare!!

Great, if I go to jail then at least I'll know I'll have food.

Seriously, I didn't have enough time to cancel my direct deposit. The fees are adding up and it's going to suck up MORE than that check on Monday/Tuesday. As the saying goes - The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

[googley]

I got screwed over by overdraft fees when a company billed me twice for the same service (I only had my windshield repaired once). I ended up getting overdraft fees every single day (even weekends when I couldn't do anything.) The fees were incredible. Luckily they returned my money, but it was awful. It got totally screwed up when they did not change money from my checking account to my credit card. I got so many charges. I have almost changed all my money over to another bank at this point.

I'm so sorry this is happening to you. Asks for their superior if you can't get what you need from the person answering the phone.

[ruffy]

Thanks (((FoolZero))) I guess the OUTSIDE VOICE wouldnt be such a good idea after all. I read the article attached to your response. Reality check received and much appreciated!!!

Maybe a letter to your local newspaper, or the TV news station's consumer advocate, might help?

I definitely recommend a credit union. Banks are greedy.