Bank Won't Stop ACH

What state are you in, and do you mind naming the bank? They CAN stop ACH. It is your right. It's a matter of talking to the right people. Please give us more information so we can try to help you further.

...have you though about seeing if you can make the account "deposit only" before you close it? THAT would achieve the same goal.

I'm in Texas @ Bank of America. They said they could put a stop payment on a specific amount of course but that wouldn't stop any other amount coming through from that same place. I went round and round with these people and they would not budge. They insisted there was nothing else they could do. I left not happy at all and stayed well past when they closed and they just wouldn't do anything. They said no matter how I made the account (deposit only), those ACH transactions could still post.

Hmm..I don't understand how setting the account to deposit only would allow ANY withdrawal to go through, ACH or not. Let me see if I can do some digging for you.

There is a thread earlier today from someone in Texas who banks with Bank of America and was able to close their account:
http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86806

Try to call customer service or at least a district manager in the morning and see if you can't escalate the problem to someone who will listen.

I will visit another branch in the morning and see if I can't get something done that will help. Thank you. And I'll update after my visit.

The key here is to request a "Debit block" to be placed on the account not an ACH block. This way nothing can be debited from your account (ACH, Checks, ATM). I had personally done this and I have not had any issues. If you word it correctly it should take care of it.

I just visited Bank of America again today and again asked for a debit block. They would not do it. I can't explain how many ways I've asked them to do this. I closed my account but they said they still can not block debits from coming out of my account even efter it's closed. I have no idea what's up but debit block didn't work at either two branches I visited. Both places citing some law to better protect merchants, etc. from people who make purchases or payments and then close the account. I also asked for the account to be deposit only...couldn't do that either. So I've closed the account but it can be forced back open. So I guess I'm in for quite a few fees and other charges depending on what they pay. I must have asked for a debit block at least ten times but to no avail. I just couldn't believe they wouldn't do it after people posting how good their situations turned out on here. I guess I should be glad I'm changing banks.

Did you ask them to put your account on "deposit only"?

Yes! Deposit only didn't work either. I've had that account for 6 years and never had any problems with it so it's not like they would be suspocious or anything or me wanting to put a debit block on it.

Something seems seriously wrong here. Have you thought about contacting the person in the thread I linked to yesterday? http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com...ad.php?t=86806
...maybe they live near you or can tell you who they contacted to get their account closed?

Quote:

I did speak to the manager and asked for a hard debit block as well. I just have no idea why they wouldn't do it. No, I haven't contacted the other person in the thread but I think I'll do that.

Call Bank of America 1-800-432-1000 talk to a Customer Serive Rep and get the number for the Fraud Department. Tell them you've closed your account but have had fraud. Explain that an illegal company operating outside of the US has your account information. They will close the account and freeze it. I did this personally. Every thing that tried to come through was denied and the fees waived. The fraud guy was awesome. You MUST tell them that illegal companies have your information. They are required by FDIC rules to honor your fraud complaint and block the account. If they do not do this contact the FDIC immediately.