massachusetts pdl - what is my best first step?

This is very unusual behavior from this bank. You have the EFTA in your favor and they are still refusing to cooperate. I did some looking around on the USAA website to find what their fraud procedures are and there are none posted. Most banks these days have something posted.

I am so sorry that you had to escalate the matter without resolution from USAA. :(

Keep ALL of your documentation!

Thanks VB. I am at least smart enough now to get the ID numbers and names of the people I am speaking with in this department. If you research USAA it has all of these rave reviews- but I will tell you that the last person I spoke with says this is happening frequently. It will eventually end, I am hoping that in the end, once they see the Massachusetts laws that maybe they will meet me halfway...I am starting to write everything down now. Thanks

I am curious though if you went and said that your checkbook was stolen what they would do then? I know that they already know your story, but instead claim that you just had your purse stolen and checks/debit card is gone what they would do...

Just thinking out loud here...

It doesn't always help - I actually had my purse with checkbook stolen and was still treated like crap by the bank.

Tina - There are some credit unions you can open an account at with a chexsystems report. Check out our banking forum, find one of MCA's posts, then go to her site. It has lists of banks and cu's for each state.

Trust me purple, I have had some untruthfull thoughts as well but I am afraid that it will work against me. If I was not a Mother I would not have anything to lose. I just have to do right for him. I would not want to get in trouble.. but I appreciate your concern.

I know you want to do the right thing; that is the only thing I know to do to tell you so that the bank would shut down your account...it's breaking my heart to know you are going through this...

Good idea goudah. I have a credit union that works with the hopsital I am employed at- maybe I will go in there soon before the major one closes me down if I get marked by chex. I have been on hold with the IRS for 30 minutes after asking them to do wahtever it takes to erase USAA from my stimulus, Believe it or not this nice girl is trying to help......

One wonderful thing, not to get off topic, but the IRS rerouted my check to paper(it will be mailed)...I have everyone here to thank..if was not for this site, I would not have felt empowered to try again with the IRS..I will let you all know what happens with my pdl nightmare when I get more information tomorrow.

you are in our thoughts....

Great!!!! It's wonderful to know that the bank won't take your stimulus payment too! :D

Tina, You are doing a great job. I am really sorry you had to go to the Office of Thrift... but I am happy you have atleast one avenue and am happy your AG is working with you. You are in my thoughts and if you need anything we are here for you.

I'm so glad I read this post I completly forgot about the stimulus check from the IRS...oh lord now I need to call the IRS and beg them to issue a paper check. I'm so glad your on the right road Tina keep up the good work :)

FYI queens- it took many calls to get the IRS to help with this and many long holds...They will tell you that if the bank account is closed that the check will get sent back to them BUT my lovely bank already told me that they would take any deposits to put towards the bank fees. Your bank might be better than mine but, yes, call and be prepared to have to call a few times. Thanks you guys, hopefully the OTS will be able to help.

Thanks Tina...I'm prepared (wading boots and all) I'll just keep calling the IRS over and over :)

What I have done so far today:

contacted my payroll department and told them I am decling any "wage assignment" that may show up.
Faxed my bank a written statemnt that lists pdls stating that I am not authorizing any further debits to these companies.
I am still working on the OTS paperwork and getting a copy of the Massachusetts laws re: pdls to my bank as well.

Question - Did you tell the bank you revoked authorization just for the company names? Because they all have a bunch of dba's . . . . You block one name they will just hit you with another name.

faxing a list of pdls that you are not authorizing will not work.

The bank told me that they cannot put overall blocks- that I had to give them names. I know what you are saying Goudah- I am probably going to get better with another letter to them, I only had a few sips of my coffee so far- I am sure there is more I will probably need to send them By the way, snding them this, I was told by them, will not help, but I need to take theses steps so that when I present my case to the OTS they know the facts. Any thoughts?

Your bank cannot legally take your check. Only government agencies can intercept your taxes. Banks are not government agencies. You had better speak to someone else at the IRS in charge. What if the charges are being disputed by you. That is between you and the bank to work out. Just like past due medical bills or credit card companies they can't take your tax money either. Court fines and past due student loans can be because they are gov. agencies.

One thing to remember - Trying to open a new account before the old bank reports you to chex is does not always work. Most banks nowdays are on to that, and they will run your chex report for the first 3 to 6 months you have the account. It's called a sweep. They can find your chex report and then freeze and close your new bank account.

If you are worried about being reported to chex, it's a better idea to find a bank that doesn't use chexsystems at all. That way you don't have to worry about the account being closed at a later time because they found your report.

Actually, if the money were to be direct deposited into your account and you owe the bank, then can in fact take the money.

They aren't taking her taxes in the sense you are thinking. They are taking any money that is deposited into the account. The stimulus check was going to be direct deposited into the account. The bank has every right under the account agreement you signed to take it.

I didn't understand I totally get it now. I live in a small town where I am friends with the people at the bank. I have had them do things for me over the years to help me out like erasing certain bank fees and such. If a bank is unwilling to cooperate with you they should be reported. They are totally able to wipe out bank fees especially when you prove there has been fraud involved with a transaction. Keep asking to speak to the management if that doesn't help go all the way to the bank president. Too many people back down and do not stay informed. It is sad but you can't really complain if your not going to fight.

goudah
I will find a bank that does not report to Checksystems. I opened BOA account about three months ago but did not actually start my direct deposits there until now.
Thanks for the tips and for clarification to bls-
and to bls, I am finally fighting:)

If a bank is unwilling to cooperate with you they should be reported

...within reason. I work at a large bank and I am on a committee to review the monthly reports that come from complaints sent to the OCC. Sure, in some cases we could have done a better job with customer service and so forth, but much of the time, the bank is being reported for unreasonable requests that are really out of the ordinary.

If there is proof of fraud, then the bank and the customer will work together to resolve it.