Bank of America Frustration

Hi Jeanelle.... I'm sorry you're going through such a frustrating and stressful time. If you are able to borrow money to pay the overdraft so you can close the account, that will be a huge help to you.

What Bank of America doesn't realize is that you have the right to revoke ACH authorization at any time, so the fact that they are throwing up the pdl contract is irrelevant. I'm guessing you never physically signed anything either, did you? Electronic signatures aren't always legal and very iffy....

But, if Bank of America won't cooperate, closing the account is the only option you have.

Keep us posted as to how this works out.

Did you talk to the branch manager? I can not believe they cannot block ACH Debits from your account, or close the account from further activity and let you payoff the overdrafts.

I went into the bank to talk to the branch manager. As soon as I told them what I wanted they put me on the phone. After being told what I posted earlier, I asked them if I could close the account to all activity. They said that that could only be done at the branch itself. I hung up and asked to speak to the manager but was told he was out and wouldn't be back for another 15 mintues. Well I ended up using up my entire lunch hour waiting and had to get back to work so never spoke with anyone.

On the bright side, I was able to borrow the money to pay the overdraft and be able to close the account along with being able to pay the bills I need to pay (car and rent). I am going to go in on Tuesday (banks are closed on Monday) and close the account and will open another. They did guarantee me that a new account could not be accessed by the payday loan people and they would keep the account closed even if ACHs tried to hit. This is a huge pain in the butt. I truly wish I had never gotten myself into this mess.

Thanks for listening.
Jeanelle

I had the same problem with Bank of America. I had visited several branches to help me block debits from my many payday loans. First they put some time of hold on my account but it only lasted one day. Then they tried to stop payment on all the payday loans but as previously stated by other people, the payday loans can go into your account using a different name. I Finally went to the branch in my town, where the account was open (had perviously went to branches near my work) and the woman in that branch was very nice and helpful. She put a stop on all debits and credits coming into my account. I can't seem to remember what it was called by doing this but I know she had to fax a paper to another department to do this. It worked!!! If they did this for me, then they can do it for you. I've since closed my account with Bank of America and just recenlty climbed out of my own payday hell. Good luck!

I'm glad you got money to close up your account! I had to do the same to open a new one and get my direct deposit in order.

But like littlepuddin said, there is a way to get anything from coming out, and they should have been able to do it for you. It is called a hard hold (or withdraw only) or something like that. That means nothing comes out and can on only come in. They like to do this especially if you are in the red.

My bank was being difficult in getting the PDLs specifically blocked but they did put the hard hold on for me until my direct deposit brought it back up and I had it closed.

It seems you aren't interested in changing banks, so hopefully you got what they told you about them not being able to access your new account in writing. If not then get that, and if they don't want to provide you with documentation, then I would think about a new bank....

Hi Jeanelle. Won't you give some thought to switching banks? This might seriously help you with them being able to access new accounts. I know you can give the bank something in writing, but I also know how sneaky the pdls can be. Just a suggestion. Good luck, and I know this will all work out for you in the end. :-) Also, I am glad you are going to be able to close your account.

Happy to hear you get to close the account. I would seriously consider another bank, Bank of America doesn't sound to consumer friendly. Just a thought...Have a great weekend!

I wish I could change banks but it isn't really option due to several factors including the way my company does payroll.

Jeanelle

I'm sure it will all work out, just keep an eye on your new account, and definately get something in writing from the bank confirming they will not allow the PDL's to access your new account.

Jeanelle, please do as Teria says and get something in writing. SInce they were so difficult to begind with, if something should go wrong and it has happened to others, not sure which banks, you need to have your bases covered. I didn't at first and sent an e-mail to the girl who worked with me and asked her again if the accounts could be linked and she replied to my e-mail stating absolutely not. So I have it in writing from their employee. I did not say this to scare you but I do want you to protect yourself just in case.

You can never be too careful. I wouldn't trust opening another account at the same bank, but I am a paranoid person as it is. Are you 100% sure there isn't another bank that you could go to?

ladybug

Jeanelle, you could always open up another checking account at a different bank, and as soon as your paychecks are deposited, just put them in the other account. Not sure if you could do this electronicially, how long the process takes, etc, but I'm sure there's something you could do. Hell, you could even just withdrawl all your money every payday and deposit it back into the new account. If you have automatic payments coming out of your BOA account, change them to the new bank, maybe ask to change the due dates to a few days after your check is deposited, that would give you time to move the money. It seems like a pain in the butt, but if you want out of there, I'd consider it.
Also, you said something about your payroll and BOA? I'd check into that. I'm quite sure that an employer cannot tell you which bank you have to receive your checks at. I'm sure there are laws forbidding that. I know you probably don't want any hassles from work, but I'm pretty sure they're not allowed to tell an American citizen where there checks have to be deposited. If they're doing that, I'd seriously consider contacting someone in your state government and asking that question. If the law says they can't do that, then there's not a damn thing your employer can do to you if you want to change banks.
Anyway, I wish you all the best luck in the world. I'm going through the same kind of hell. I'm not afraid anymore, I really don't care what happens, I've decided it's not going to ruin my life. This attitude makes it alot easier to deal with these creeps. It really ticks them off when you laugh at them on the phone! Hahahah. I always tell them to have a nice day, God Bless you, etc. Hahahaha. It creeps them out!! Good luck Lucylu!!

LOL! Submarinesailor, you have the right attitude to deal with these people. Isn't it great to have a little fun with them when they are calling trying to make your day miserable!! :-)
Jeanelle, I also agree with submarinesailor that there is not too much your job can do to keep you from switching banks. If they say that there is then I think they are lying to you, unless there is something I don't know about. Suppose you started working there and had an issue at BOA in which BOA would not allow you to have an account with them? Then what would your payroll dept. do with your money? Can they issue you a "live" check? This way you could just take it to whatever bank you want to take it to. If they say no then I would check on that too. They can't MAKE you have a checking account, period, I don't think.