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Amaranth · 05-15-2008, 03:06 AM

I am just so devastated. I know it's my fault for not paying closer attention to my checking, but I feel like the punishment is more than severe.

I knew I had some bills that would clear this week, so I had a paper check from my second job and some cash ready to deposit into my checking account to cover it. I was running late on the 12th and had no time to stop at the bank to make the deposit unless I chose to be late for work. So I called in and checked my account and I had a positive balance. Okay, I should be okay till the 13th. I got off work at 2 am, double-checked my account, and I'm still good. It is now early morning on the 13th, and I still have a positive balance. I go ahead and deposit the paper check and cash now. By about 10 am, I check my account and am horrified to see it negative more than $300. Then I see that there are 16 separate transactions ( most for small amounts- the lowest only being for a soda at $1.65 at a convenience store! ) that are now post-dated as having debited on the 12th. How come when I checked all day during the 12th, they weren't pending then? How come they show up on the 13th physically, but are dating themselves the 12th? Anyway, Bank of America charged me 8 SEPARATE $35 FEES. THAT'S $280 DOLLARS.

Not only that, but the money that was supposed to be in there to cover bills that are coming out has been eaten by those fees. Not only that, but the bank informed me that another 8 fees are due to come out today. That's another $280!!!! I went in the bank and begged them to reverse the fees. They said no. I begged them to please put a temporary debit block of some kind on the account or make it credit only because those bill payments are going to debit through and end up putting me further in the hole and run up even MORE fees. The bank said no, they can't do that for me.

I desperately contacted the three creditors who are supposed to be debiting my account today, but they said that on such short notice, there was no way to stop it as the ACH processors already had the information.

I am so sick to my stomach. I just want to cry. My bank that I have been a "valued customer" with for 10 years with an account in good standing will do nothing to help me. Not only that, but my stimulus payment is due to deposited on Friday, and I know the bank is going to take that. I am most upset about that. That tax rebate was supposed to buy a new tire for my car as I am currently running on a plugged spare as well as help me to get ahead. Now I feel like I am back at square 1. Now I feel like I am even worse off.

I am just so depressed right now and I don't know what to do. I know it was my mistake that I didn't deposit the money sooner, but I think the amount of fees that Bank of America is hitting me with is MORE than excessive.

Is there anything I can do? For awhile there getting out of PDLs and the like, I was starting to feel hopeful again. Now I am just full of despair all over. I feel like all of my progress was just an illusion.

mca · 05-15-2008, 03:26 AM

Unfortunately most times with US Bank, things post during the early morning hours it seems ( at least it does with my husbands account) like 5 am So that stuff probably posted right after you last checked.

Did you talk to the branch manager at the location in which you opened the account? I would plead your case to her. Tell her that you have been a customer for more than 10 years and explain your situation. Explain to her that you are afraid you will never be able to make right on this account. Many people have told me that US Bank can be very understanding in some circumstances. They may not credit all of them but maybe some of the fees.

Other than that..if all fails, do you have direct deposit? US Bank does offer temporary overdraft. There is a fee for it and you have to call to set it up but it would possibly save you from additional fees depending on how much they approve you for.

Amaranth · 05-15-2008, 03:31 AM

Hi- I am banking with Bank of America.

I do plan on going back in today and requesting to speak to the branch manager. I was just hoping maybe someone might have so information for me to help "give me some ammo" for when I go in there.

Shazzers · 05-15-2008, 04:27 AM

Hello Amaranth, do speak with the Branch Manager, inform him/her that you intend to send off an email to the CEO, and plead your case with him/her. You can usually find the name of the CEO online at the banks website. It worked for me. Good luck.

angell · 05-15-2008, 07:26 AM

See if you can ask them to print your account out and show you where they posted on the 12th.... There was a new process that went in to place with BOA in March where "non signature credit" items would hard post before the item actually hard posted to your account. See if that might have caused any of this to happen. The notice was supposed to have gone out in Jan or Feb statements. This got me in trouble and caused me to have several OD's. They were "my error" but I still was able to convince them to refund some of the charges. I thought I was told they wouldn't charge more than 5 OD fee's a day as well. That may have changed at some point.

For the future check out the ATM for making deposits. Some of the ATM's will count your deposit for that day if they are made before 8pm.

Good luck with this! I kow how devastating it can be as I have been there.

goudah2424 · 05-15-2008, 07:36 AM

Bank of America can be really bad about reversing fees.

I have an account with them too, and things always show up one day, dated for the day before, but weren't there the day before.

Unfortunatly, there isn't really much you can use for ammo - It's in their account agreement that they post like that. And they will to get fees.

It's such a crappy situation - Banks can really suck.

I hope that the branch manager is helpful. That's where it will make or break things.

I'd also mention that you've had this account for over 10 years in good standing. I don't know if it will make a difference, but it's worth a try.

I know how you are feeling - I lost a bunch of money a couple weeks ago, and have been totally lost since then. I'd thought I'd finally be able to have some extra money, but instead, farther in the hole. Some days it just seems like it's 2 steps forward, 5 back.

mca · 05-15-2008, 08:52 AM

Oh I am so sorry, I read it wrong.

ops: This might help you as well

Kenneth D. Lewis CEO BofA
Bank of America
Bank of America Corporate Center
100 N Tryon St., 18th Floor
Charlotte, NC 28255 USA
Phone: 888-279-3457

billyg35 · 05-16-2008, 12:37 PM

I have had good luck by writing Mr lewis.. I got a get a call from an asst. They have been really helpful

Amaranth · 05-16-2008, 11:40 PM

Hi billyg35,

Can you tell a little bit more about what your wrote to Mr. Lewis? Did your situation get resolved?

Thanks!

billyg35 · 05-17-2008, 06:31 AM

I wrote Mr lewis at the address above By MCA.
I just said I'm writting for a little help on my account. told them what a great bank they are and good luck wiht the venture buying LaSalle bank. Admitted my mistake that cost me 2 times your fees and got them all back. I wrote in my letter I tried with customer service but was a little disappointed when they did not help at all.About a week after i sent my letter, I got a call from a Ms. Link very nice young lady and she helped me out. It was a "good will letter" and it worked. Good luck please give it a try!! I'ts worth the (what are stamps now?) :wink:I did send a copy of my statemnet with all the fees highlited.

05-21-2008, 06:24 AM

I bank with BOA and had $175 fees reversed this morning. I used my debit card over the weekend in the positive and mailed (I kid you not) a check at 12:30pm on Saturday to Atlanta from TN and they must have got it and ran to the bank with it on Monday because it sent my acct into negative. Anyhow I called

Executive Customer Relations: 704-386-5687
Corporate Headquarters: 704-386-5972 / 704-386-5681
Operator: 800-900-9000 (press 0 twice)

Corporate Headquarters (Bank of America):
Bank of America Corporate Center
100 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, North Carolina 28255

the first number and spoke with Matt Gross who is like the associate VP to Mr. Lewis. Anyhow he was real nice, listened to me complain and reverse my fees. He said the bank always processed debits from highest to lowest at midnight. This is how they get us all because they know we charge $1.67 for soda on weekends with our ATM/Debit cards.

Anyhow the 800# they were so rude and wouldn't give me any information or help but this Matt dude reversed the chgs right away. Now I can get my car registered. The one thing he kept saying was "even though these charges were legitimate" legitiite my foot, this is how ALL banks are fleecing the working poor with all these "legit" fees.

Folks my advice and I should heed this myself, use cash on the weekends, ave yourself the heartache.

So anyone who needs more help with BOA than the regular 800# can give try the above #'s

Good luck and keep up the fight

luv2laugh · 05-21-2008, 09:13 AM

oh my gosh - you guys are soooo helpful. This similar thing has happened to me at Wells Fargo and customer service did nothing, although they were very nice. I guess just sometimes you can go to the top for a litle thing. Hope you were helped by people's information/suggestions amaranth

06-27-2008, 01:01 PM

Just when I think I am the only one that is going through a situation. I can always find that I am not alone. I am having this same problem with B of A. The 800 number has been no help. I am going to try the branch manager and then the corporate manager. Thanks guys!!!

07-01-2008, 01:33 PM

I went to the branch manager and received no help with them. So I called the number above and I guess it was the same guy that the guest had spoke with because he was really nice and very helpful. In my case, I had accumulated overdraft fees without my account being in the negative. So he explained how this happend. But to make a long story short he refunded me my fees plus some I had earlier this month. He was God sent because I didn't know what to do. I couldn't pay my bills and I was really depressed. But I feel so good now. I am so thankful that he looked out for me.

PinkLady · 07-01-2008, 01:52 PM

It's unforutnate the Branch Manager wasn't able to help you, some of them can be evil like that knowing they have the power to reverse those fees. Some are hesitant to reverse them because the more fees towards their branch the more money in their pocket. I am glad you were able to get the situation taken care of.

07-01-2009, 01:04 PM

Wow, a happy ending to a banking story! They should make this Matt Gross guy the CEO of B of A. Wouldn't would be nice to feel like a bank actually cares or has humanistic qualities all the time.