I just started working for a company in Portland, OR. Because it's so recent, it takes at least two checks before they actually get you on track for direct deposit. I've never worked somewhere, where I wasn't dependent on my direct deposit. So Friday Nov. 6th was my 1st pay check. I gave my rent check on Nov. 5th, knowing it'd take a day or so to clear. On Nov. 4th I had also deposited money into the bank, to make sure I was not going to be in danger of occurring over draft charges.
Friday on my lunch break between 5:30-6pm. My co-worker and I deposited are pay checks into the SAME ATM. My transaction was done first. I haven't banked with US Bank for long, and my friend warned me that I would have about $100 to use right away, and the rest would be processed within the next day or so.
I got gas, and a small transaction I had previously made finally came through. Today is Tuesday. I walked into Cingular this afternoon to take over my old plan and was ready to purchase a cell phone. I thought, I better check my bank account to see how much money I am working with, considering my rent must have came through by now.
When I called my mom to look online for me, she explained there were 3 over draft charges of $37.50 each! I was very frustrated. If my bank had cleared my deposit, this would have never been an issue, because the funds were in there! When I finally made it to a computer I wanted to see for myself, what it was that caused the over draft. Thinking maybe I'd forgot about a payment or something. Well I hadn't! On top of that when I looked my account NEVER went into negative. So I sat their wondering how I could have over draft if my bank was within positive standing.
Before I go any further, about a week ago my insurance company took out a payment that wasn't authorized and over draft my account, so I had two over draft charges pending. When I called to explain my situation to the bank branch, I was informed I needed to call Customer Care because they handled over draft charges. I thought that was a little funny, but I went ahead and called them, desperate to get my money back! The lady I spoke with didn't ask me any questions, put me on a brief hold, and refunded both of the over draft charges. I was pleased, very grateful, and hung up within good standing of the bank. I told numerous amount of people that day how much I appreciated their help, and that was what customer service was about!
So once I'm on the phone with customer care this time after noticing the 3 over draft charges, I'm certain they will work with me and everything's going to be okay. After all, this wasn't my fault. I talked to two reps and both told me that only the bank I opened my account with, would be able to refund those over drafts, if they felt it was for good reason. I thought that was a bit contradicting and confusing, considering I'd been told prior to, that they couldn't do that over the phone.
I hung up with customer care and a lady named Jackie answered. She was pleasant at first after I explained what had happened. I explained to her that I honestly wasn't aware they were going to hold my funds for so long, and that it'd be appreciated to just take this as a lesson learned, and asked if she could refund those charges. I clearly don't have that kind of money to fork over! $112 in OD charges!
She said she could definitely helped me and asked if I would be willing to get a credit card, or add a credit line onto my account, to further prevent this from happening again. They called it OD protection. I thought it was a good idea, and I agreed. When she ran my credit for the credit card, I was denied. She then offered the credit line. I stopped her and asked her if, I do get either one of these, is she going to reverse my over draft charges. She said that she could reverse all 3 transactions. I was denied for the credit line. Her words were this "Well, I am sorry. Because you are trying to work with us to find a solution, I can go ahead and refund ONE of those over draft charges for you."
I immediately back fired! How dare she! She just told me she could refund all 3, now she's only going to offer one? No. I told her that I went along with her options, and that it wasn't my fault I was denied. That none of this was my fault. I didn't need to find a solution to begin with to prevent over draft charges. The only reason they occurred to begin with, was because they didn't do their job and process my check to have it cleared. I explained that I thought it was extremely odd that they can withhold funds from MY paycheck, but yet they can't withhold transactions coming through.
I explained I thought that was extremely ridiculous, and that those over draft charges never would have occurred if they'd just done their job. I clearly did mine! She said that it was policy, and I should have gotten a brochure. She then asked if I would like her to send me one, and I can't tell you how many times she continued to ask me that. I told her I didn't want a f-ing brochure. Clearly I'm aware of their policy now, and what I would like is my money back and for this to just be a lesson learned!
After arguing with Jackie I finally asked to speak with a supervisor. She told me she was the branch manager, and the one to handle these situations. I told her the only thing she is handling is the way she keeps repeating herself to me, when she's not RESOLVING my problem. I finally told her that their had to be someone above her with higher authority!
She finally gave me the name & number of this gal named Natalie. When I went to hang up the phone with Jackie to call Natalie, Jackie said to me "Do you want me to refund this over draft charge?" I said "Well yes!" I got on the phone with Natalie and explained my situation to her. After I gave her about this 10 minute spiel of what was going on, and that I'd just appreciate some kindness and understanding for all of the miss communication when I first opened my account. I made her aware that nobody explained the policy of depositing checks, and so fourth. Her first words to me were "So what is your question?" Oh man, I wanted to punch her in her face!
I remained calm and explained what I wanted. She started to pop off and say that she would have to side with Jackie. While looking at my account she decided to say that whether my deposit had gone through or not, I would have had over draft charges either way. I too was looking at my transactions online, and went through them one by one with Natalie, explaining that she was wrong. After taking the time to go through that, she insisted in explaining things that made no sense. She couldn't answer any of my questions.
Finally I just told her that this was horrible customer service, and I was fed up. That they really need to find a better way to explain policy procedures with their customers one on one, and that being fully unaware they were going to withhold funds that were clearly in there, and then charge me over draft fee's was ridiculous.
Natalie tried to tell me that since they'd already refunded two over draft fee's within the past couple weeks, out of COURTESY that they are unable to refund anymore, and that if they hadn't already done that, they may be able to refund these current ones.
I was furious! First of all, I made her very aware of my appreciation and how grateful I was for the refunds, and how much it helped me out, and I was proud to claim them as my bank. However, these over drafts were because of their mess up, not mine. So therefor I'm not going to take responsibility for them. If it had been my fault and I just went on some crazy spending rampage, sure I'd accept the over draft charges of now $75.00 with the 1 refunded back. However, it wasn't my fault, it was theirs, and as them being a place of business they need to put their customer first, and take care of the problem they created and reverse my transactions.
This went on for a while and finally Natalie said "I'm not sure you know how to run a business" I said "Excuse me? No, I've never ran a business, but I bet your ass if I were to, there's one thing I know and that's customer service. I've been in customer service for a long time, and for the past year as a customer service rep, as well as Sales Manager. So I know how to take care of a customer, and that is NOT what you are doing.
She then said "So are you saying that if I were to refund these over drafts for you, you'd be a happy customer?" I said "Oh I'd be thrilled!" She went on to say that she would call Jackie and talk with Jackie about what they can do, but that it was up to Jackie. That they'd call me back by the end of the day. I told her they better come up with a solution.
Jackie called me back and acted as though she was confused as to why she was supposed to call me. She asked if I wanted her to. I said "Natalie was supposed to be talking to you, and you two were supposed to come up with some solution for this mess. Did you talk to Natalie?" She goes "Oh yeah, we talked. The decision is final."
After going off on Jackie some more about poor customer service and some other things. I told her that if she can't refund my over draft fee's, ALL of them, that I'd be there in the morning to take ALL of my money out of the bank and take my business elsewhere. Jackie then had the nerve to say "So you want me to reverse this refund, because you don't agree?" I then told Jackie that if she dare touch/reverse that refund and it's not there in the morning when I come to pick up my money, bet her ass she'll be speaking to my lawyer.
So fed up. All I can say is I'm going in there tomorrow face to face. I don't know if it'll be the same branch. However, if they don't resolve this. I will be taking my business elsewhere and I will cause the BIGGEST scene, and I mean the BIGGEST.