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Greg of Seattle WA (05/15/08)
I don't no where to start but over the course of three weeks I feel like I have entered the WAMU twilight zone and am just hoping to escape! I have never witnessed such utter incompetency, contempt and disregard for customers. 1. Received a notice via e-mail that my WAMU checking account was overdrawn and that my courtesy overdraft had been applied. Logged on as I knew this must have been a mistake and was astounded as the notice in my WAMU mailbox made no sense: Payment was presented for X amount and was returned because your balance of Y. Now, here is where it gets odd - I had almost 200.00 than the returned payment in my checking account and the notice said so - made no sense.
Called customer service - rep agreed it looked odd and started an investigation and suggested that I resubmit the payment - I knew better. The investigation would take up to five days. I also wrote to WAMU via online and received a message that I would receive a reply about the NSF charge in five days. In about three days - the payment was listed on my ledger as having been paid - even though the rep told me it couldn't be once it was canceled and even though I was advised to resubmit the payment - which I didn't. In the meantime I had written to my creditor and explained that the bank had incorrectly refused their e-bill and they had no idea what I was writing about as they had been paid?
4. The error was over $1,000 and I decided that I needed to change banks as I couldn't get a straight answer from WAMU customer service and was astounded about the run around - one message even stated, Thank you for your concern... My concern? It is my account! Things were weird and they hadn't even admitted their error or given me back my courtesy NSF. I spent over a week transferring money out of WAMU to a linked savings account; changing all my bill payments and opened a new checking account elsewhere - I was ready to close the WAMU accounts - no way...
First call was met with, We are having technical difficulties, can you call back. Called back ten minutes later, I can close one account over the phone but you will have to visit a branch or send a letter to close the other. I explained that I opened my accounts online - had no branch - and was assigned to Internet banking and I insisted that he please close both accounts - today. I was put on hold. Finally, after five minutes he came back we went back and forth and then he came up with - You need a zero balance to close your accounts. I said, Mail the remaining balance as a check. We went back and forth and I became agitated and continued to insist he close both accounts. He verified my address where the check would be mailed and finally agreed to close both accounts - I asked for a confirmation number.
They did not in fact close both accounts - they closed the checking and transferred the money to the savings where it sits. I am just simply astounded that any business could handle folks money in such a shoddy and cavalier manner and not be penalized in some way. I write this to warn others that you face similar treatment if you enter the WAMU Twilight Zone - stay away from them and save yourself the hassle and stress. I had been a good customer for nearly two years and was generally satisfied. But a bank that will make a major transactional error while handling a large payment and not apologize or follow up with an investigation is frankly, scary.
Clark of Escondido CA (05/14/08)
My Dad has a line of credit with Washington Mutual Bank $250,000.00 at La Habra,CA. Since my Dad passed away on January 03 2008 my brother has been drawing from my Dad's line of credit. My brother is depleting the line of credit. I am on the trust with my sister and the line was not mentioned to be used for my brother's living expenses. Why is Washington Mutual allowing the line of credit to be drawn from. Please investigate Washington Mutual Bank.
Tami of Sonora CA (05/11/08)
I opened a WaMu credit line for $500 in March 2008. Used the card a couple times, then sent my first minimum payment of $15, immediately followed by another payment of $50 in the beginning of April - 2 weeks before it was due. WaMu confirmed my payment and I thought everything was fine.
On April 17, I suddenly received numerous letters from WaMu in my mail. (Not my EMAiL, mind you, but the MAiL! Go technology!) I logged in immediately to my WaMu account and realized that I had somehow inverted or mistyped my bank account number I was required to supply off of my checks. I fixed the information and made my payments again. $15 minimum payment, $50 extra. Oh and I got to pay a lovely $39 late fee that could have been avoided if they'd contacted me at any time in the 2 weeks following my payment and before the payment was actually due.
Yesterday, (May 10) I received a letter in the mail from WaMu: Your payment for $50 was returned unpaid. As a result, your account will be debited for the check amount and your credit card account(s) has been permaently closed. Please destroy your credit card(s) and any checks or other offers you may receive from us. etc. Pretty brutal, huh? Kay, I realize I screwed up in typing the account number. But I fixed it and they got their payment. A day late, but they got it. Then they got another $50 on top of it which even went above and beyond their late charge. And that's what this letter is referring to and the reason my account was closed. The extra $50 I wasn't even required to pay them yet. The little to no margin of error with this company is scary. Have I happened to mention how much I adore Capital One?!!
Travis of Murrieta CA (05/11/08)
Get this one! I was traveling in Asia and my bank card expired on the 31st of October. I called Washington Mutual three times: October 3, 17, and 28th. The first time the guy said sure thing, we'll send you your new card (to my US address of course! as if WAMU would ever do anything nice!--got to love how they automatically upgrade you for free to Gold checking and then three months later start taking on a $5 a month service charge for that without telling you!--anyone have that one happen to them) . . .
Second time, I was on the phone for over 40 minutes, literally, 40 minutes (I know because they phone had a time read-out)! I would have stayed on longer but the guy at the hotel at to make me get off because I was tying up his phone line.
So then I called back on October 28th and the guy told me the card had already been sent . . . back in July! Well, no card ever arrived and I called the executive office Friday, which confirmed that they had never even sent the card despite my requests. Best part: I finally received my card in January after returning to the United States; didn't even get my PIN number until April!
A lot of sleepless nights, still recovering and I can't say my brain is a 100 percent yet . . . a lot of chronic headaches and general fatigue. Hard to get things accomplished. I had to live on the little I had in traveler's checks, and really had to stay in hotels (if you can call them that) I never would have stayed in otherwise and spent two nights on buses . . . hoping my health returns soon, or at least someday . . .
Chi of Pomona CA (05/11/08)
I open a saving and checking account with Washington Mutual on 3/2008. I know that money market account has 6 limit on internal transfer and 3 check writing, but I never know there are limitation the same on saving account.
The 2nd month I got a charge of $10 excessive fee for having 7 time internal transfer. I call them and telling them I did not know about it and hopefully they can waive the fee. I get all the way to the supervisor and putting on hold for almost 10 minutes. They cited me with all those Federal Reserve rule. They insisted they cannot waive the $10. I got very mad and told to close all my account and transfer to my checking, so I can close it with a couple of day. The supervisor said if I do online I get another charge of $10. I have to go to the balance to close it.
Rowland of Chatsworth CA (05/09/08)
I have been a customer of Washington Mutual for years.4 checks from my checking account wee stolen, when I realized that, inmediately called to check my account,to my shocking I found out that 2 checks were cashed or deposited into someone's account. Someone wrote the checks and faked my signatur.
Over a month has gone and Washington Mutual has not refunded my money.I have called them several times and continue to ignore me. This is worst experience I ever had with a bank. Washington Mutual is not to be trusted, offers no protection to his customers and when sometime ago I ignored some friends and acquaintances complaining that $500.00 or $300.00 were disappearing from their accounts and the bank were making it very difficult for them to get their money back, I regret that I didn't listen to them at that time.I will be closing all my accounts with them.
A lot of money is in question here and this has caused me a lot of sleeplessness and stress.
Jennifer of Woodstock GA (05/09/08)
I recently had to move into a new apartment because of a divorce. I had a free checking and Savings account through WAMU and thought it was great. I wrote a check for my application and administrative fees at my new complex, knowing I had the funds to cover it. I was $1.96 short due to a double charge (one real charge and one pending charge from the same company). The check was returned.
I contacted WAMU and was told it was my fault. I sucked it up and paid the $150 fee to my apartment complex plus a $50 returned check fee. The same day (my move-in day) I deposited $1530 in CASH to my checking account to cover my security deposit and first month's rent. It has been a week and my CASH deposit is still on hold, they have returned my checks to the apartment complex as overdrafts, then put a hold on part of my DIRECT DEPOSIT from my job.
I also paid two of my utilities companies with this account, and even though there is enough available funds to cover both, they returned them as NSF. I have repeatedly contacted them about this problem. I cannot get a person on the phone, just the automated system. I have sent messages via their website and have gotten canned answers that have nothing to do with my problem. Now I have to borrow $2000 just to cover all the things they returned and pay hefty fees. I work odd hours, so going to a branch is pretty much out of the question.
I now have to pay 3 $50 fees to my apartment complex, a $50 fee to my cable company, a $25 fee to my power company plus the $34 each charge from the bank. I have NO ACCESS to my money. I'm a single parent and I have to borrow money just to have food for my son. I could lose my apartment or they could raise my rent from the special rate to the market rate of $931/month. My credit is suffering. I have been so upset and stressed out that I have had two migraines in a week that required medical attention. I have not been able to sleep or eat worrying about this.
Susan of Harrison NY (05/09/08)
My bank card was stolen in February, the funds were put back into my account within 10 days; however, paperwork was sent to my old address which was never changed in the banks computer (not my fault); I never received the paperwork and the funds were taken out of my account.
It is now 3 weeks later, I've been trying to get the funds back into my account, the excuse I get from Ariel and Marie is that customer service just doesn't answer the phone... They're both on hold for hours at a time.
I need that money desperately, I live paycheck to paycheck and every bit counts. It's just not fair that the bank made the error and i am without money that I need to survive on. I keep getting the run around everytime I call the bank and when I do leave messages, they don't return my calls.
Frank of Los Fresnos TX (05/08/08)
I am a wounded veteran from OEF 05-06. According to the Soldiers and Sailors relief act, All service members that are serving over seas during war time are supossed to get debt relief from hour creditors. All of my credit cards and other creditors have droped my intrest rate to six percent, as instructed per federal government policy except WAMU. They are still charging 11.3% and have not lowered my intrest rate at all. I have even envolved J.A.G. lawyers and still the refuse to abide by federal law.
I wish the government would do something about this before we all lose our homes. I am more than possitive that I am not the only one they have done this to. they are not even my original mortgage co. I had no say in who bought my mortgage so that just leaves me high and dry, to let them do what they do best. I wish some one would help!
To this day I have been told several times that they would fix the problem and yet have not. Now when I call they just leave me on hold until I get pissed off and hang up.
Crizaline of Pacifica CA (05/07/08)
This bank is poorly operated. Every shifts I come in to do banking, there is always 1-2 tellers working and this is during the peak hours. The tellers are rude and could care less. The management, if there is one, treat their patrons as another number. There is no customer service whatsover. My husband's credit card statements was never mailed out until months later until he remembered of having opened one.
It turns out it was in recovery for not being able to pay the balance of only $150.00. That was all he charged. They never mailed out a single statements and because of that our excellent credit score could have been ruined for a measly $150 due to Washington Mutual's incompetency. We are planning to close our account and NEVER again deal with this C-Rated Bank.
Our credit score would have been ruined if my husband didn't inform me about the credit card account that hasn't been arriving.
Athina of Jamaica NY (05/03/08)
After not receiving a bill for my credit card since January 2008 to April 2008, I called the customer service number on the bill. I had sent in monthly payments and had no idea if received, recorded, what my balance is, etc. I reached someone who said that because I am over limit and therefore considered past due my account was in recovery. This was never stated on any of my bills. Lack of such information since January 2008 how would I be aware of this situation.
I asked for the missing bills and was told we are not sending you any more bills or letters. If you want a copy of a bill you have to put request in writing. O.K. what is the address and since I want to pay my April bill where do I send my payment. She said she couldn't give me that information over the phone. I asked, why not. You have to put request in writing.
Finally, after a few go-rounds of this conversation I was given a fax number and could send my letter to that number. I then questioned the fact that since I was not aware of the current status of my card account, what would happen if I didn't call but waited for a bill since sometimes mail is lost. I was told in no uncertain terms, well, it's your bill. It's up to you to call. We don't contact you. Once again, I asked, what would happen if I didn't call, what happens to my account. Oh, you account would be sold to someone.
Thiis became an unbelievable conversation. I had to ask, who are you and where are you. What is the name of your company. None of this information was forthcoming up front. I am assuming that WAMU wants to sell these accounts and are not going to contact customers. I guess they will make more money by selling and not by allowing customers to pay their bills. Sounds fishy to me and that WAMU is manipulating customers. I had to go to a local WAMU branch near my home to tell my story, get the right telephone number and where to send a payment. Keep you eye on the practices of this bank. Not interested in paying customers and they want you to bank with them!
Christy of St. Peters MO (05/03/08)
My APR for the credit card was 8.99%. I ALWAYS paid more then the minimum due and on time. I was NEVER 30 days late. We went on vacation and as soon as I came home I paid the card. The payment arrived one day late. Again, NOT 30 days, ONE day. They increased my APR to 24.99 on a card at had $6,000 on it. Not only that, but I was ONE day late on that card they increased another Washington Mutual Card to 30.99% for no reason other then being late on the first card.
I called and complained, went through one person to the supervisor and got the run around. She stated she couldn't do anything about it until the time came where WAMU reevaluates it. she could not tell me when that time would be. It has been 7 months and they have yet to reevaluate. I am just disgusted with these people.
The economic damage is the difference between 8.99% and 24.99% on $6,000. Loed knows what that will come out to be by the time it's paid for.
Stephen of Utica NY (05/02/08)
I was treated horribly by the manager in customer service. I made a debit charge out of my checking account for a set of tires for 371.00, normally when i make a charge it goes directly into pending status, which it did. Then 2 days went by and the charge went through, but there was another hold for 371.00 which put my account negative.
I called Wamu and they said it was the store charging me twice.So I spent two hours dealing with the store and there corporate office traced it back to Wamu, they said they were still holding for some reason.So I called Wamu back, I explained the situation again so he said I had to get the store on a conference call so they can remove the hold, so I did, and they removed the hold.
Meanwhile I got out of the customer rep that they were having some problems with similar situations. So no problem yet. Until later that afternoon, I received an overdraft fee for 34.00 ,it was reversed also, but they didn't reverse it because they made the mistake in the first place. They used my one overdraft reversal I had available.
Also a check posted to the account when it was negative and was returned, I will probabally get a charge from them now.
I called WAMU and explained the whole thing again, I explained how the whole thing was not my fault, but they don't like to hear that, so he said hang on I need to talk to a manager. I waited on hold for 10 minutes and the manager got on the phone and said, yes sir, I heard you wanted to speak to me unbelievable, now I had to explain it all over again, but she wasn't listening to anything I said, all she said was the reason the check was returned was because your account was overdrawn.
Now I am pretty upset. I had to keep explaining that it was not my fault, I only spent the money that was available in my account and she wasn't hearing any of it. She kept saying it is not Washington Mutuals fault. I told her I wanted to speak to her manager, and she got wise and said give me your phone # and I will have one call you Monday. This situation is a lot more upsetting than it sounds and the manager was really rude. I thought I liked this account, but I guess I don't.
Maybe they just don't care about their customers. I told her that I am closing this account because I can't believe how you treat customers. She said have a nice night sir. The problem is really turned out to be customer service.
Ken of Mountain View CA (04/30/08)
I am writing to file a complaint about Washington Mutual Bank (WaMu), and their Online Savings account program. On January 28th, I submitted online applications to open a checking and savings account with WaMu. They were advertising high APY rates for customers who open both a Free Checking and Online Savings account. These higher rates are called Relationship Rates, and here is the wording from the wamu.com website: 1 Relationship Rates/APYs. Open an Online Savings account with a WaMu Free Checking account online, or link a new Online Savings to an existing active WaMu checking account, and your Online Savings will receive the Relationship Interest Rate/APY and a monthly service charge waiver. Minimum balance to open checking and savings account is $1 for each account; minimum balance to earn APY on savings is $1. If your checking account is closed for any reason, or transferred to another kind of account, standard rates/APYs and standard monthly fee described in the Account Disclosures (including Statement of Fees and Rate Information) applicable to Online Savings will apply. 2 Standard Interest Rate/APY and monthly service charge apply for Online Savings account with no checking relationship.
So as instructed, I opened both accounts on the same day, although the Savings account did not get funded until January 30th. Although the interest rates have come down, they were as follows between February and April. This information was provided to me by one of the WaMu customer service representatives: * 2/15 - 3/20 = 3.93% * 3/21 - 3/28 = 3.49% * 3/28 - present = 3.25% But as I noticed on my account statements that I was only getting 0.25% interest, instead of these higher rates.
So I called WaMu on April 16th, and spoke with a manager named Cindy Davis (extension 5059). I was told that I was only getting the Standard Rate for savings accounts, instead of the higher Relationship Rate. I asked Ms. Davis to retro-actively credit my account at the higher interest rates, instead of the 0.25%, since WaMu had mistakenly not linked my accounts. She said that there seemed to be a mistake on WaMu's part in not linking my two accounts together, and that she would file an official review with the wamu.com back office. Ms. Davis indicated that corrective action would be taken within 3-5 business days in the form of an official letter response to my home address, and the appropriate interest rate credit. She also linked up my checking and savings account, so that I could realize the higher rates going forward.
I requested that I get a phone call about this situation, and a few days later, I did get a phone call message from the WaMu Management Resolution Group saying that I should call them back. So I called them back, but all I kept getting was a general voicemail box for Team 34. I left them several messages to call me back on my cellphone, but failed to get any response back. I left detailed messages with my account number, phone number, and the interest rate problem, and to call me back. But I got no further response from anyone on Team 34. The next day, I called WaMu customer service and asked them to calculate the interest amount I should have earned based upon my balance in my Online Savings account for the months of February, March and April.
This time I was told that they can give me the interest rates, but they cannot help me calculate the actual interest amounts I should have earned. They said that only the back office could do this, and that if I wanted this information, I should do the calculations myself. Again, I was told to wait a few more days to get an official response by letter. So I waited a few more business days, and got no response. So I called WaMu Customer Service again. This time, I spoke with a different manager, who told me that she could not give a status update, because whatever decisions that would be made would be sent out in a letter. But she did inform me that Ms. Davis had filed my interest rate review on April 18 (2 days after my call with her).
Because I received no phone calls, and no letters, I called WaMu Customer Service on April 29, and after much discussions with the customer service rep, finally spoke with a senior manager, named Katie Biltz, based in the New York call center. She informed me that the back office had made a final decision that it was my mistake, because I did not open both the checking and savings account at the same time using the same application. I mentioned that this is not what their website states (as noted above). Wamu.com only says that you need to have both accounts, but nothing about the fact that they need to be opened using a single application. I asked Ms. Biltz to help escalate this decision to their back office, as well as to her manager, and she refused.
She told me there is no further escalation I can do, because the wamu.com back office had made a final decision, regardless of the fact that I was promised a written letter of their official decision. Now, Ms. Biltz said that Ms. Davis was wrong about this, and that I will not be sent any letters, and no official communications about their decision. And if I was not happy with their decision, I was told to send a complaint to an entirely different department that handles general WaMu account services. This is unacceptable behavior, and customer service. Either they should change their website information about the Online Savings account, or they should honor it and give the interest due. But putting the blame squarely on the customer is not right. And by telling me that I have no further recourse, with no official communications in the form a written response is also unacceptable.
As a consumer with limited knowledge about the mechanics and processed in opening online savings accounts, especially one where the higher interest rates require multiple accounts to be opened simultaneously, WaMu's position that it is all my fault is disingenuous. I did what I was asked to do, which was to open a checking and savings account on the same day. It is WaMu's responsibility to link them and to provide me the higher interest rates as they have advertised. I would greatly appreciate your investigation into this matter, and to help remedy my being cheated out of thousands of dollars of interest income. Thank you very much.
I have been cheated out of thousands dollars of interest income, despite having done what the wamu.com website instructs. I could have earned high interest income with another online bank.
Heather of Lake Forest CA (04/28/08)
I use to work for WAMU back in 2001. I had to take an absense from work as I had an emergency back home in California. I was living in Washington at the time. You have to fill out your time card ahead of time every pay period, why dont even ask I think it's rediculous. While I was on an emergency back home in California I ended up in the ER and contacted my manager telling her what happend and had a doctors note stating I couldn't drive and was out of work for so many days. Once I ended up back at work I put my 2 weeks notice in.
They took a week worth of pay out of my last two weeks of work! After paying all of my bills and thinking I had all the money in my account they threw me into negative. They went into my account, without notifying me, and took out another weeks worth of pay. Now remind you they already took a weeks worth of pay from my last paycheck and now took another week by going into my account. This company still owes me $1000.00. I have been fighting it since 2001 and here it is 2008. Never work for them let alone bank with them!
They have sent me to collections due to the negative amount in my account cause of them. This negative amount wasnt my fault. It was cause of them taking my money. I have refused to pay this bill cause they owe me money. Now its on my credit and its of course a closed account now and deliquent and it has majorly ruined my credit. Now they have made it to where I can't get my own bank account for 7 years starting from the day they closed my account! So now I have to wait another 4 years before I can get an account by myself.
Lynda of Kirkland WA (04/28/08)
On 12/18/07 I went online to check my bank balance and activity as I do every day. I noticed a CHARGE for $205.75 at a Video/Gamming site in CHINA. Someone got my debit card number from PAYPAL and took it out of my account. The transaction type was: Debit without pin. I had just signed up with PayPal believing their system was SAFE, and I KNOW that whoever got my debit card number, got it from PayPal as it happened right after I gave ALL my personal info they asked for. I tried to pursue this with PayPal, but to no avail, and they would not even investigate it or co-operate. I immediately called WAMU and told them what happened and that they needed to replace this $205.75 immediately, and that I needed a new debit card.
It took a week to get my debit card (this was of course right before Christmas and my daughter's wedding) and more than a week to replace the money taken out of my accound fraudulently. I also emailed the website in China and TRIED to communicate with a person who clearly did NOT speak much English which was obvious from our *live person* communication. I was told there was nothing they could do and that the charge had already cleared. I asked for a supervisor/manager/owner and he said I would have to get back to them the next day as it was a different time there and no one in that position was there at 2:00am.
Then on December 28th 2007 I recieved a letter from WaMu Debit Card Claims from ALEX WILSON who was investigating my fraud claim. I was to fill out this Affidavit and return it in 10 days. I filled it out on 12/29/07. My daughter was getting married that night, so I laid it on my counter, and it got buried and/or misplaced and never sent, which I guess was partly my fault. Then I got another letter February 26th 2008 stating that WAMU has closed the investigation and since I did not send the affidavit to them in the timely manner I was suppose to (10 days) they were reversing the credit of $205.75, and that I better make sure there are sufficient funds.
I called this department and tried to explain I had misplaced this affidavit and it was a rather stressful time with my daughter's wedding and all that was going on, and the woman I spoke with was extremely RUDE and said, *that's not OUR problem.* So they took $205.75 out of my account. I had to transfer money from my small amount of savings to cover this amount because I had other bills to pay and this left me financially strapped and stressed. Then on 4/26/08 I recieved an email notice from WAMU so I went to my accounts online and there was a$10.00 EXCESS ACTIVITY FEE which I had NO idea what that was so I enquired with an email and they told me that my savings account is a *Limited Transaction Account* and that this type of account has likmitations placed on the amount and type of transactions which may be performed, due to FEDERAL REGULATION.
I was charged this fee because the account exceeded the number of transactions allowed. My statement savings can have only *SIX* limited transactions within a statement cycle without penalty. They went on to say I can find their policy regarding *Limited Transaction Amounts* in the Account Disclosures and Regulations relating to deposit accounts and other services and electronic fund transfer agreement and disclosures under the heading: Limited Transaction Accounts. This brochure is given to ALL customers anytime an account is opened. I have been with WAMU since the early 1990's, and I am quite certain I do not have that brochure, nor was I even aware OF this policy. The person who wrote me this email is: Paul Shaj Mannencheril/ Washington Mutual Customer Service who apologizes if this has caused me any inconvenience. Gee, thanks Paul...NO problem. I didn't need that $10 you took from my account. Just help yourself.
Having taken back the $205.75 that was STOLEN out of my account online has added financial stress to my life just as the $10.00 has. I survive on Social Security Disability, and 2 very small pensions, so YES.....this incident has created financial and emotional issues. I have copies of ALL correspondence in regard to the fraud situation and the excess activity fee incident.
Latoya of Compton CA (04/27/08)
I had a levy put on my savings account on April 1st. I contacted customer service to request that they send me all the paper work including the attachment papers from the law firm. They told me it would take 5 to 10 days to receive the info. It has been over two weeks and still nothing.
I called them back and asked to speak to a manager because most of the customer service people do not speak english. First, they don't let you directly speak to the people in the levy department so everytime i asked a question i was put on hold for them to ask it for me. I requested that they send the info again and they told me that i had to pay $35, eventhough I still have not received the original paperwork. All they kept saying is sorry and were not will to help at all, so basically I had all this money taken out of my account with no proof that it was for legit reasons except for what customer service told me.
The money taken from my account was exempt because it was financial aid for my tuition. In order for me to file for a hearing I need the paperwork and they are putting a delay on me getting my money back which will also delay me paying my tuition for summer.
Valerie of Birmingham, AL (04/25/08)
I called in first week of April to put a stop payment on a transaction, the transaction went through anyways. I then called back to inquire what had happened spoke with "Joe" who promised in 1-2 business days I would receive credit for the transaction and 2 34.00 overdraft fees. I called back just to verify transaction and again was told 1-2 business days.
I call this morning to inquire why my money was not there I was told a new story 5-7 business days. I asked to speak to 1 supervisor who hung up on me and another who told me that there were liars working there and they have given me incorrect information. I will be closing my account by the end of the day.
Christine of Aurora, IL (04/25/08)
washington mutual card service will be rasing my intrest rate to 31% in june for no good reason. i do have other credit cards that are not late and always paid more then the minimum amount due.
i have asked for a rate reduction but have had no success,my minimum payment is 279.00 a month now.
Rach of Alameda, CA (04/25/08)
I should have read all of the previous complaints about Washington Mutual before I listened to my friend's great words about WAMU and to open an account with WAMU. I got hit badly with their hidden finance charges and very odd payment posting policy. I transferred some big amount of dollars with their new card offer.
When I received my first statement, there was more than $30 finance charges. I called and asked what happened. It was my first bill, and I am planning to pay off the balance transfers. However, they told me that from the first day of the balance transfer, they need to charge the finance charge on the balance transfer. I asked if it can be waived since I will pay off everything & it was my first bill. They said no and will only stop the finance charges as long as I pay off everything.
Then later I found out that the money I paid to cover the balance transfers total but they applied them to all the new credit card charges I made instead of the statement balance. I asked them why, they replied that because whenever and whatever amount they receive, they will apply to the credit card charges first, and of course, they will continue to charge me finance charges on the balance transfers, which I thought I have already paid off.
So, I paid them everything. Today, I received my 2nd statement, and there is a new finance charge, I asked what happened. They stated that it is the remaining finance charges due to my new charges and the time before they received my payments. I asked what is the way to stop their money making from me like that. The result is to stop using that stupid WAMU VISA card, and pay off every single penny.
Kristine of Richardson TX (04/23/08)
On 4.23.08 I deposited more than $22k into my business checking account. This deposit consisted of six separate checks ranging from $420 to more than $10k. When I received my receipt it said that all the funds, except $100.03 were on hold. Not only were the funds on hold, but it said they were only hold because I deposited more than $5k into my account in one day. Plus, they were going to release the funds in stages over a two week period of time. I called our branch to complain to the branch supervisor. She said that this is a new process and that any check over $5k will not be placed on hold. I advised her that out of this deposit only two checks were in excess of $5k, so only two checks should have been placed on hold. I also asked her how the bank could justify placing a hold on the checks for two weeks.
In today's electronic banking era it doesn't take two weeks for checks to clear. I understand that banks will place a temporary hold on certain types of checks from time to time, but it seems WAMU is taking advantage of my money and penalizing me for making a large deposit. If the bank puts this type of hold on all small businesses, it will restrict the businesses ability to pay its suppliers in a timely manner. This banking practice is unfriendly and should not be allowed to occur. If you are a small business be aware of this new WAMU banking practice. By the way, the deposit receipt even says that they will pay any fees for overdrafts or returned checks that result from the hold when the checks clear, but only upon request. This must be the new way for WAMU to generate new fees and penalize its customers for banking with them.
Fortunately we have a healthy cash flow, so the hold doesn't impact us. It concerns me though that this new practice could lead to other anti-consumer/small business practices.
Barbara of Paso Robles CA (04/23/08)
I have been paying a balance on my closed account, but the problem I keep having on a regular basis is that Washington Mutual keeps locking me out of my online account, so that I cannot make the payments on time. Then they harass me over the phone because I will not pay them the check by phone fee (why would I pay them to take my money when I can pay online for free??). This is the second time they have turned me into collections for this which is their own stupidity. When I have tried to just go ahead and pay the payment by phone I get transferred to the home loan department and they can't help me so they hang up on me.
Now I have been turned back over to the collections department who is putting words in to my mouth saying that I am refusing to make y payment when that is not the case at all. I will not send payments through the mail for personal reasons thus leaving me with online payments which is fine but the way I look at this is if they transfer me hang up on me and lock me out of my account is them refusing to take my payment, which if I am not mistaken in the state of California means my balance is paid in full. I am tired of fighting with these morons, they are trashing my credit and I have had about all I can take.
They absolutely have NO IDEA anything about customer service. Not to mention they assessed 2 late payment fees for locking me out of my account the first 2 times which they have said they will return to my account AFTER I pay it current, how does that work if I owe money they want it NOW but as the consumer I think they should have to return it since they screwed up and include the interest, which will never happen according to them and their lovely collection company IC collections. What do I do from here?
My credit has been seriously impacted. They have harassed me to the extent of me turning my phone off which mind you I need for work. All hours of everyday. It is sad that a consumer should have to be treated this way. Also was declined to refinance my truck because of them!!
Joseph of Poway CA (04/22/08)
I have a free checking account with Washington Mutual with overdraft protection, I have had this account for many years. As advertised, there is suppose to a one time per year overdraft charge, well they did not wave this charge and after several E-mails they told me that in fact I do have this type of account but I would have to go through a conversion process? to be eligible for that benefit next time? it should happen. Well, it probably wont happen again, in fact I believe that is the 3rd time in my life that I have had that happen ever, so it should waved this time, as advertised.
I was charged for a $33 overdraft charge which should have been waved.
Keith of Orange CA (04/21/08)
I am very displeased with Washington Mutual Bank and its banking policies. They advertise that they have No hidden fees?. Yet, Ive been hit with hidden fees? 3 times in the last 60 days or so. The first two times were due to a re-qualification process that I must go through each year because I live in a low-income? government controlled housing project. They must verify each year that I have certain accounts with various banks and when they attempted to do so this year (the first time its ever happened), I was slapped with two $10.00 fees.
Just this afternoon (April 17, 2008), I transferred $50.00 from my savings to my checking. My wife is currently laid up and not able to work (short-term). Anyway, under these circumstances I have needed to access my savings. I probably have accessed it (maybe) 3 or 4 times in the last 30 or more days (at least thats what it seemed like to me). I was shocked because when I went to confirm the transfer amount and accounts (I dont recall receiving any warning at all), it suddenly showed an additional $10.00 charge on the account (excessive usage fee)? HOGWASH!!! I am transferring all money to Wachovia and closing my accounts. Im sure this does not affect Washington Mutual greatly, but if I were an attorney, I think this kind of service would justify a class action lawsuit!
Alexander of Las Habra CA (04/21/08)
My son who is attending school in Austin Texas received school loan check from Education Partners in the amount of $9000.00 that I co-signed for.Checked was mailed to his home in La Habra Ca.I forwarded check to him for his signature and he returned to me for deposit in his account at Washington Mutual in La Habra.I attempted to deposit check in his account and the branch manager would not do it citing bank RULES that since we did not have a joint account she could not put it into his account as the bank could not be responsible for who would be drawing out the funds which did not make any sense at all.
I explained to branch manager that I had account at bank for almost 20 years and had a continuous flow of funds over $10,000 a month and that my son had had account for a number of years and that I needed her help in getting funds deposited as he had to pay tuition asap.She said sorry cant do nothing for you and I then said as the Branch Manager you have the power to do anything and I need your help.She then turned and just walked away leaving me standing at the Teller window.I never met such an incompetent manager in all my life.It is scary to think that she is resposible for a bank.I will close out all of my accounts within the next two weeks at this bank.
Julie of Davenport IA (04/16/08)
I telephoned the credit card company to ask in a reduction of my interest rate which is 31.99%. I have a credit line of $1336 and my balance is $375.48. I asked for a reduction and was told I'm not eligible at this time. I asked when would I be? They said They do not know. I asked if I have ever been late in making my payments...they said no. I then asked Why can't I have a reduction in the interest rate. They said because I'm not eligible and they have no idea when I would be.
I was told to sit and wait. They will send me a letter when I am eligible. I only owe $375 and will pay it off next month if not this month. It seems unlawful to not take a request into consideration. They could not give me a reason or could not tell me why I cannot have a reduction. 31.99 % is a loan shark! We have several credit cards that have high interest rates and we are working very hard to pay them off. We got into financial trouble when my husband's career of 15 years was eliminated from his employer. He had to start his own business and we are trying to recover from this catastrophic financial mess. We are good people, educated, and hard workers. We don't deserve this interest rate.
Only emotional stress...I'll survive.
Arlene of San Dieog CA (04/16/08)
On 03/16/08 I made a mortgage phone payment at 7pm Pacific Stanadrd Time. Monthly bank statement states to avoid late charge of $87.46 payment must be received no later than 03/16/08 during business hours. Statement states customer service is available for phone payments from 0600 am to 9pm Pacific Standard Time.
Although payment was made in accordance with directions on statement before a late fee would apply, a late fee was applied. All of this is documented by WAMU. Despite and contrary to stated directions on bank monthly statements WAMU claims phone payments must be received before 3pm Eastern Standard Time. How much money do suppose WAMU collects from this scam?
Jonathan of Klamath Falls OR (04/15/08)
Washington Mutual has hit me with hundreds upon hundreds in overdraft charges. I am a college student, so money is calculated down to the penny for me. I noticed that WaMu won't post transactions for up to three weeks, making online banking impossible. Typically, you'll see transaction pending when you have the funds to pay it, then they'll wait until another debit hits your account (or fees) and then they'll hit you time after time after time.
I work only 23 hours a week, since I live in a small town and go to school. When my account is overdrawn (usually after payday) I can't afford to eat or buy gas. THIS ISN'T LIVING. They are attacking me because I am on the poverty line. This is wholesale disenfranchisement.
Ralph of Allentown PA (04/15/08)
Arrow financial Services has filed a lawsuite for a Washington Mutual credit card without sending me collection letters at all, and Wolpoff & abramson, L.L.P is also trying to collect for the same credit card under Providian Bank which are the same company. Is it legal to collect twice for the same account?
Can not pay. Not enough income to pay all utilities and mortgage not even with my wife income.
Jonathan of Austin TX (04/14/08)
I closed my bank account with Washington Mutual in 2005. I did this because I was going to study abroad in a foreign country - I'm a college student, I was 19 yrs. old at the time - and I wanted to open account with Bank of America. I had been charged some kind of fee because I'd made an overdraft at one point. So, and I remember this clearly because I had no money and had to go to my parents to get the cash to pay off the negative balance and I was worried about getting in trouble for it, I went to my parents and they gave me the money to pay off the balance. It may have been a check, but it might have been cash: I don't remember, all I know is that I DEFINITELY paid off the negative balance. I couldn't close the account with a negative balance, so I CLEARLY remember having to get the money so I could go pay it off.
About 3 years later 2007/2008, I get a letter from RJM acquisitions saying that WaMu sold them my account with a negative balance. I had no idea that i would need to keep receipts from checking account transactions from 2005! I have no way to prove that I paid off the account, but am confident that I did - I know that I NEVER would have not paid off the account because I had been told that you couldn't actually close an account without paying off any debts on it. The bank never contacted me to tell me I had an account balance or anything of that nature! I heard nothing about this until 3 years after I supposedly closed an account with a negative balance on it...
I'm a student, I don't have much money. I was told that the account was good and paid off and could therefore be closed, so I closed it. Now I have some collection agency coming after me trying to make me pay money when I can't really afford to be paying some BS charge that I know I don't owe. I have perfect credit, no history of not paying off debts or anything. There is nothing to suggest (in my track record I mean) that I would do something like this, yet WaMu and RJM acquisitions can just accuse me of owing them money?
Margaux of Long Beach CA (04/01/08)
It has been confirmed by a Washington Mutual Employee that they post the debits first and the credits second to your checking account. So when my paycheck was electronically credited to my account at midnight on 3/31 I was still overdrawn until that evening but the debits kept rolling in. I check my account online and it said I had $3800.00. But when I tried to use my debit card to withdraw cash it would not let me. Of course when I used my debit card to pay for things that day I was allowed but I was charged $30.00 every time I used the card. I cannot believe this is legal. I am closing my account.
It has cost me literally hundreds of dollars until I finally figured out that they were posting the credits last. Someone should file a class action law suit.
Beverly of Battle Ground IN (03/28/08)
I have had a credit card with Washington Mutual for over 6 years. At the time I got the card, the company was Providian. I have always paid them before the due date. I have never gone over my credit limit. I have always made at least the minimum payment and usually, over 50% of the time, have paid more. Last month they increased my APR to the default rate of 51.55%. I called them to ask why. They said they didn't have that information but could send me a letter within 30 days. I just got the letter. It is because of other credit issues I have. None of these issues is late payments. None are defaults. I have one argument with Sallie Mae over a student loan with a balance of less than $350.00. I don't feel this is a fair business practice at all.
My minimum monthly payment has increased from $189 to $252 overnight. This will be a crushing blow to me financially.
Lynne of Chicago IL (03/23/08)
I have a credit card with WaMu, pay completely on time, and am paying down my account. Now I have discovered that my APR has jumped to 21%. The answer for the question why? Because we can. My amounts on my cards recently jumped because both my parents died and I needed to pay for funerals which are very expensive (another issue). So, because of a general profile based upon formulas known only to the card company, my reasonable APR jumped to a default APR.
This additional jump in my debt has placed even more pressure on me - a solid payer, never late. Besides my parents' deaths, I also got laid off and then received this news that the APR was being raised. How does this serve anybody except for the companies who will do anything to squeeze as much as possible out of the consumer? This is downright cruelty. I sacrificed simple necessities for the next 6 months to pay off this card and I vow never to use a WaMU product again! When will the public be able to make our voices heard regarding these credit card companies? WaMu will never receive my business again in any form.
Rose of Enid OK (03/11/08)
On 8-29-03 my husband took out a loan through SYB. 48 hours later he was in hospital being diagnosed with a grade four brain tumor. On 11-12-03, I was being treated for fibromyalgia. At this time Washington Mutual got the loan. At the time of this transaction both my husband and I were ill. We didn't know of his brain tumor. August 18, 2003 My husband went and got a complete physical from his doctors and got back results as being in great health. But he was out of control, I couldn't stop him from doing anything.
It looks like Washington Mutual and SYB could see legal documents and let me out of this deal but I was told I signed the papers also and was responsible for the debt. My husband was out of control with his undiagnosed brain tumor. He threatened to kill us and everything if I didn't do as he commanded. I have doctors report saying what I'm telling you really happened. I didn't sign any papers willingly. I wasn't working and was sick. I couldn't pay anything. With in 48 hours after this happened I was being held soly responsible for this debt. I lost my home, my retirement, my savings, plus my fybromyalgia became worse. Now I'm on social security disability. I couldn't afford and still can't afford an attorney to fight for myself and through no fault of my own, I lost everything. Can anyone help?
Chang of Yorkville IL (03/09/08)
I deposited a check that paid to my nickname. That's usually what I go by. The check was returned to me stating that it was 3rd Party Check. I had requested payer to reissue a check to my legal name. I deposited and without knowing it, they decided to close my accounts and hold all the amount in my accounts. I called to see if I can get all the money back but they told me the check will be issued to me on 26 Feb, the day the accounts will be closed. I waited for more than 1 week and I did not received my check.
I called up Risk Management and was told that I can go to any WAMU to get the check since the check was deposited on 11 Feb. It gave ample time for the bank to close the accounts. So I went to the bank to get my cash but it was still put on hold and have to get the payer and me to sign a waiver! So I called Risk Management about this again and she was using unprofessional language. From 11 Feb to 7 Mar, they did not do any investigation to finalize the closure until I called. She said they would do an investigation and get it resolve within 72hours! I really can't believe what kind of service WAMU had!
It is not small amount - $2,800. Most of us are living with pay check to pay check! They are holding my amount for almost 1 month. I had to pay extra interest, numerous phone call from creditor for payment. This is giving me tons of problems!
Warren of Stoughton MA (03/07/08)
I have had a Wamu Credit card since 2005 and have paid on time, never been over my limit on this card and all my accounts since 2002. I have just found out that my rate was bumped from 10.99% to 23.99% and when I asked them to explain why, I was told that it was based on my overall credit, which does not make sense. When I received this card in 2005 my credit was much worse than it is today, further more my balances were much higher in ratio to the limits.
I have had to close this account and now my debt to credit ratio has shot up and will impact my credit score. This is no way to treat a consumer, one of many that pays his or her bills and shows financial responsibility.
Maria of Pasadena CA (03/06/08)
Since Washington Mutual took over Providian credit cards, my APR rate has change from 7.99% up to 29.45% without any good explanation from Washington Mutual, as I never pay later, always pay more and never go over my credit limit. I contacted customer service, had a conversation with someone at customer service, with no results. I am getting sick just thinking how to get out of this debt with this APR. I have other credit cards with much better APR but don't have room to transfer at this time such amount.
My stress level is really high, as I try to squeeze payments for many of my debts and just to think that this Washington Mutual is not helping consumers, they just take advantage from individuals that need their services.
James of Simi Valley CA (02/26/08)
A few years ago I was contacted and asked to buy what Washington Mutual called CREDIT PROTECTION on my credit card accounts with them. For a few hundred a year per account I could protect my accounts if I ever lost my job or became disabled. Sounded like a good idea up until I needed it. Back in June I injured my back and needed to use my so called CREDIT PROTECTION, this is where the scam starts.
I filed the paperwork as required which took over four weeks for this to happen. The protection was activated and my next payment should have been due in Nov but I was still disabled because of a back surgery that was done in Aug. They lost the paperwork so I had to file again and again they lost the paperwork so I filed everything again and this time they got it straight I thought. I got a letter in the mail telling me my protection is extended from June 6 2007 until April of 2008. Why would I think anything would be wrong with that in writing? I get my bill that should have been the same balance as it was when I got hurt but NO, there is almost $700 (on both cards) in interest fees, late fees and my credit limit on both my accounts had been lowered below what was owed so I was also hit with over limit fees which bring on a higher interest fee also. With a little checking I also found out they reported to the credit agencies 30 day late payments.
I have called Washington Mutual many times and they state they do not make mistakes. The wonderful words you don't understand how this all works is everyone's answer to everything. As a customer service they will refund two $39 late fees, boy aren't they nice, refund $78 but keep $622 and keep my credit screwed up. Doesn't this sound like a great deal to pay for? Now I have gone up the chain and have been told by one Ben Shandobil that he answers for the CEOs of the company and that this is how this is and of course I just don't understand. Not only does he answer for them but he also has been calling to rub in that he has checked further into this and he is still not going to remove anything from my credit. I have requested he not call but still continues to do so. Every WaMu customer service person I have talked to states they have it on the computer that he is not suppose to call and not sure why he would be. I do have ALL the letters showing I was covered and the dates of coverage.
My credit is damaged so I cannot get a home loan. Other credit card limits have been lowered because of a low credit rating due to the report. Additional fees I now have to pay because of all this.
Kelly of Modesto CA (02/23/08)
On February 20th, after searching everyone on their website, I called WAMU's 800 # to inquire about the fee to obtain copies of deposits I had made. I was told by the representative (had a very heavy accent) that the fee would be $5. I knew that I had at least 5 checks in the deposit I had made, and I only was willing to pay $5 to obtain this information, so I asked for clarification. Was it $5 total...or $5 for each check? She answered, "It will be $5." I should have asked again, since that really didn't answer my question--but that is hindsight. I had taken that to mean $5 total. The next morning, I checked my account, and $90 had been charged for the request. I immediately called to cancel the request. I was told that it was too late; the request had been put through.
I explained to the rep that I hadn't agreed to a $90 charge...I agreed to a $5 charge. She said again, there was nothing she could do. I called back 5 times, asking to speak with supervisors each time, hoping to get someone who realized how wrong this was, and to cancel my request and reverse the fees. Over and over again I was told there was nothing they could do. How can a bank legally withdraw an amount from my account that is different than what they quoted me? And worse...they take NO responsibility for it! I feel as though I have no recourse. I am stuck.
I had $85 stolen from me.
Francisca of Dallas TX (02/23/08)
Washington Mutual Bank is probably targeting some individuals to profit from with their business practices. I was once late on my payment, and they jacked up my interest rate from 11% to 31%. Then again, my credit card was fraudulently charged in another state. They are not doing anything about it. I need to file a complaint with the government.
This is ruining me financially by having to pay this Bank $120.00 monthly on interest until I find another card to transfer the balance to.
Babette of Akron OH (02/23/08)
I paid my bill off $2,095.00. I called and asked them to waive the interest fee and close my account. They never did; they charged me interest and an LPC. It was one day late; they gave me no grace period, and as a courtesy they should have waived the fees. All the other credit card companies waived the fees. The people I spoke with were very nasty, talking loud. So I talked back. They were rude and could not speak English and comprehend. I want reimbursement by check.
I have high blood pressure, and it made me very sick. I was on the phone with these people for hours, and one of the CSR's hung up on me resulting in me having to call back. When you pay your account off in full, trying to help the economy, you expect some respect. They treat you like you are dirt. They are terrible.
Marilyn of Lakeland FL (02/20/08)
We operate a couple of businesses. We have deposited funds from one account to the other and washington mutual decided we have too many debits and credits, so after two years without a problem or a phone call or any type of discussion, they closed the account. Now, I don't have a problem with them closing the account. If they deem that is in their best interest then as a business they have that right. Additionally, I think we signed something giving them that right. But I don't understand how they deem they can hold our POSITIVE BALANCE of almost $2,000.00 for ONE MONTH without giving it back.
The consequences are substantial. Due to the fact this hardship was brought upon us with NO WARNING - NO DISCUSSION, they have tied our hands behind our backs. They have caused us to have a utility shut off by returning a check when the funds were available. They have completely stopped our business for the last 5 days while we re-set things up. It has been complete hell for us - an absolute total nightmare to have your entire existence in an uproar. They refused us the right to view our account and see what has cleared and what has not. When we try to ask them questions, they have screamed at us verbally and hung up.
Jeanette of Granite Bay CA (02/20/08)
My Washington Mutual card was paid as agreed; I paid more each month than what was required. I paid more often than what was required. I accidentally used wrong routing # twice to make payment, but I made another payment to make up for my mistake. Because I put in a wrong routing # to pay on my account twice, WAMU reported me.
Because I put in a wrong routing # to pay on my account twice, WAMU closed my account and reported to credit agencies that closed by creditor for 2 bad payments. I do not want the card anymore, I want my credit rating back.
Paul of Warrenton NC (02/17/08)
I got a charge on my credit card from Blizzard Entertainment for $14.99. I called WAMU and they wanted me to fill out a form. I thought that is why I pay finance charges. I am really upset with WAMU for not helping me more. I am waiting for the form since I could not find where to download the form on their website. Please stay away from these people. I do not think they know what they are doing. All I can say is they provide very poor service to their customers.
I wish that they could get it straight so I would have access to my money. The girl I talked to on the phone did not sound very intelligent. I think these people hire people off the street to answer the phones.
Jacqueline of Clermont FL (02/13/08)
I Went to Walgreens right next to my house to buy somethings and and my card wouldn't go through. I tried 3 times and all it said was Invalid card or something like that. So I went outside to call Washington Mutual because I KNOW I have money in there and they told me that my account was canceled because a person living in my same household (had my same address) owed the bank money and they told me I can go in anytime and take out all my money because my account was going to be canceled if my brother, which is the other person living in my household, pays the bank. I kept calling and tried to fight it and the lady hung up on me. My brother has NOTHING to do with me or my expenses, which is why this made me so mad.
My taxes were supposed to get deposited into that Washington Mutual account and the only way I can find out if that money is there yet is to go in the branch and take all the money out. I had to go out of my way that same day and open a new bank account.
Assad of Miami FL (02/12/08)
I have been paying for credit protection on this credit card in case of an emergency. Last year I lost my job in part because I was sick. I called and emailed washington mutual about my problem so said they would send me paperwork to activated the credit protection plan I have been paying every month. They never sent me anything and sent me to a collection company. This is after almost $50.00 they charged me every month for the credit protection they back up and don't want to pay and are ruining my credit score.
Rachael of Fayetteville GA (02/12/08)
It started out I was just getting a card for the Home Shopping Network when I realized it was a card for WAMU. I was pleased, thinking I could make payments at the local branches. I thought the ads for the bank were kind of neat and it made me think about changing from my current bank for awhile. Then I discovered I could not do that. I was able to make payments online and ahead so that worked out. I paid my payments on time every month, paying $150 on the 6th of every month and sometimes more on the 20th. Then we refinanced our home and decided to pay off all our medical and credit debts including our HSN WAMU VISA card which was almost at its limit $2500. As soon as we paid all of these off, much to my surprise, the account I had made sure was current and paid more than necessary on to keep a good record with them and the one that actually made my credit higher had its credit limit reduced from $2500 to $250!
My credit was better but they reduced it for credit reasons? I was livid, but there was no talking to them. Today I decided I would use the card, (after I had made my usual $150 payment on the 6th since I still owed $200), and low and behold their account reps are saying, it is a rather large payment so it takes more time to be sure it clears your bank before we can credit it to your account, (scheduled ahead of time for the 6th and still not clear on the 12th) this same payment that I have been making for years!
It caused my credit rating to dip, I could not purchase the medical or other things I needed. I had planned on Jenny Craig but could not.
T of San Jose CA (02/08/08)
I love WaMu. I balance my checkbook. I pay my loan through auto-pay. I pay my bills on time. I make sure that I have the money in my account before I spend it. I account for all my receipts when I use my Debit Mastercard. I take responsibility for my actions! I read the fine print!!
I love WaMu. People need to learn responsibility. WaMu checking is FREE. Tell me a bank that doesn't charge for its checking account.
Alvaro of Burbank CA (02/07/08)
Someone put money (about $2200) electronically in our commercial account and then when I looked online the next day I saw that they pulled all that money. I called wamu and first thing they said was that because I called so late (next day) that they could not help me and that I have to make a dispute with that company. I told them that I do not know them and the problem is that I wrote checks for that amount and that they are not going to be covered, but they told me that it nothing they can do. And then they overdrafted my account and they sent me to the check listing so I cannot open a business account. They never did anything to help me to solve this problem but know they report me to the checking company that I did not pay the overdraft. If they charge me every time $30.00 for transactions it starts going up and up. I called them and said I will pay what is owed but I need you to call that company of checks and tell them that it was paid. And they told me that they cannot do anything, I believe that wamwu does not care about their customers at all.
My consequences now are that I cannot open an account because they reported me to the check system. Even if I paid them they still will not removed that. I think it is totally unfair for them to charge me those $30.00 fees and the account keeps adding and adding.
Jeffrey of Rancho Cucamonga CA (01/29/08)
When my stepson was 16 years olds, my husband opened a savings account so that he could start saving his allowance. Because he was a minor, my husband had to put his name on the account. That was four years ago and in the meantime my stepson had jobs and used the account, never abusing it. My husband left the account as is, never thinking anything would go wrong.
One day my husband got the mail and in doing so collected five NSF statements. What my stepson had done was deposited empty envelopes into the ATM and withdrawn money, to the tune of $1,200.00. My husband called the bank to see what this was all about and was informed of what was going on. My stepson is an adult and was approached by my husband (he no longer lives with us) and his response was he needed money. My husband called the bank and spoke to someone at that time that informed him that it would not affect him (we have other accounts at this same branch) and that they would close this account so that my stepson could not do this anymore. Instead of going after him, aside from putting him on CashChecks, nothing else was going to be done to him, but Paula, from the Risk Management Dept. of the bank said they took the $1,200.00 from our account, telling my husband that they knew he didn't do this, because he doesn't even have access to that account, but it was their right to take the money from our account. How does this hold my stepson accountable for what he did to the bank and why do we have to pay, when in one breath he is told, we know you did nothing wrong, but then we are still punished for the wrong that was done by someone else. Do we have any recourse?
Stephen of Flushing NY (01/25/08)
I opened an account with Washington Mutual in September of 2007. Around mid November of the same year, I discovered an unauthorized charge to my checking account, and reported it. The account was subsequently closed due to it having been compromised. I then opened another account to replace the account that was closed, and in the first week of December, asked a friend of mine to deposit $150 (which is a payment toward a larger amount that she owed me). The person made the deposit, but decided to also deposit a $1,200 check into my BRAND NEW account, which was a sincere effort to pay me off in full, figuring what could go wrong, if the check bounces, I can pay the returned item fee.
The bank made $100 immediately available from the check, BUT NONE OF THAT MONEY WAS EVER TAKEN OUT OF THE ACCOUNT. The check bounced, and the bank took back the $100, closed all my accounts, and reported me to ChexSystems (even though they told the local branch I was at when they closed the account that they WOULD NOT report it). I was reported for account abuse, and yet I NEVER EVEN KNEW that the deposit was even being made. According to them, I was guilty because I allowed someone else (who is usually very reliable) to make a deposit into my checking account. Talk about being railroaded!
By the way (and this is not related to the above incident except that it involves the same bank) I was a faithful Visa credit card customer with the bank for close to two years now, NEVER making any late payments, and just learned last week that they are raising my interest rate from 12.99% to 23.99% (because of something they thought might be a threat which they found in my credit report).
I can't open an account with Commerce Bank, which is my favorite bank. And when I tried to open an account with North Fork, I was notified a couple of weeks later that the bank had to close my accounts because I was reported to ChexSystems by Washington Mutual.
Vidhya of Studio City CA (01/25/08)
I was a victim of identity theft as was my husband and others in our apartment building last year. Several accounts were opened under both my name and husband's (plus the other victims) by presumably the same individual. We promptly pulled our credit report, filed a police report, and notified all the relevant companies about this. Washington Mutual was the only one which required a notarized affidavit which was filled out and send back to them including information that our whole building was effected by the same thieves. My husband bank account was closed but now they have denied my claim. When we called they would not give any information on why a denial took place and required us to fax them saying we again did not open the account. They have effectively put us in a catch-22: we have to deny the denial without any recourse.
Jay of Rancho Santa Margarita CA (01/23/08)
I went on vacation on Nov. 08, 2007 and came back on Dec. 11 and on Dec. 12, I called 911 and was taken to the hospital and surgery was performed and from there I was taken to rehab center till Jan. 16, 2008. Before I went on vacation on Nov 08, 2007, I made advanced payments to my HELOC and mortgage loans. I also notified WA-MU on 888 and 800# and branch people. But when I came back on Dec. 11, (My ex wife opened the letters) there were many letters and threatening phone calls from WA-MU demanding money. WA-MU also assessed the late fee for Dec. payment though I made payment in advanced for Dec. payment. I have all documents to prove. WA-MU person talked to my ex wife demanding that my son answer. Since I was in hospital and had a surgery, I had no clue what WA-MU is talking about and my ex-wife did not understand, so I had to arrange to call my son from San Jose to come and straitened out this mess with WA-MU. My son drove from San Jose and took several days off from work and searched all receipts and went to the branch #1354 with all receipts to straighten out the mess and then and then only WA-MU reverted the late fees. WA-MU demanded wrongly and did not realize by acting irresponsibly WAMU caused significant problems on me as well as on my son. I think it is very irresponsible, harassment and greedy act on part of WA-MU
I am asking for $15000 in damages.
Ale of Sacramento CA (01/21/08)
I have enrolled in wamu online statements. I have no other contact with wamu but online. Today I accidentally clicked and requested a copy of a check. No where in that webpage did it tell me I was going to be charged if I click request it. It does not even says how much. Only after I requested it, a pop up window told me I will be charged for it. But again, it does not say how much I will be charged. I immediately called the bank to the 800 number and explained that I did not know they were going to charge me. They did not care about my situation and told me there was nothing they could do. That I was still going to be charge for it because I requested it. But I did not know I had to pay! It did not warned me at all before I clicked!
Connie of Canton GA (01/18/08)
I went into my local Washington Mutual branch to deposit a $3500 check. Before leaving the bank I was told that the deposit posted to my checking account and the funds were immediately available for withdrawal. I checked my receipt and it confirmed what the teller told me. On the same day of the deposit, I initiated a $3300 ACH transfer from my checking account to another bank. On 1/14/08, the deposit date was 1/11/08, I received a account alert stating that my ACH request was denied for lack of funds available. Of course I immediately called the 800 number to find out what was going on because the teller, my receipt, and the web site told me the funds were available for withdrawal. I was told that the risk department put a hold on the $3500 check deposit but wasn't given a reason. The next day I went into the same branch and asked why I wasn't told about a possible hold and why the teller told me the funds were available for immediate withdrawal. Because of the hold on the funds, my other checking account now shows a negative balance. When I asked what could be done, since this was clearly not my fault, the teller told me there was nothing that he could do and to wait for the hold to be lifted. It is now a week later and I still have a negative balance in my other checking account and can't get the risk hold lifted for the $3500 deposit. This is not a good way to conduct business. Everyone keep apologizing but apologies don't fix the problem. I will close both of my accounts with Washington Mutual and tell everyone that I can not to do business with them.
Travis of Oakland Ca CA (01/12/08)
i had a balance of $987.50 and wamu bounced 3 checks,one for $100, one for $12.17, and one for $100. This incurred $90 of insufficient funds fees and when I called them on it they said there was nothing to do and it was my fault.
i couldn't pay my pge and they punished me with late fees.
Edward of Atlanta GA (01/08/08)
I made a $12,000 deposit to my daughter's WAMU account, as I needed to make a tuition payment early in 2008. We deposited and saw it posted on Dec 24, 2007, but the funds had not cleared in 10 business days (Jan 8, 2008). When I called to talk to customer relations (1-800-788-7000), I ran into several very disturbing problems.
1. There was no opton in the electronic voice center to talk to a representative (I stumbled into a connection by simply not pushing any buttons). I suppose this is a strategy to reduce nuisance calls, but it is very bad customer service policy. 2. When I spoke with a representative, he was polite but could not give me any rationale for the delay in clearing the check, which I explained should have never taken longer than 10 business days (that would be January 8) but he kept repeating a line the first $100 is available immediately, but the bank branch determines how long a check will be held until funds clear?. Also, he told me we we needed to discuss when funds would be needed at the time of deposit? and that customer service could do nothing to help?. Of course, we had no way of knowing that this would be delayed so excessively. 3. I asked to be transferred to a supervisor and spoke with a polite woman who sustained the statement that customer service could do nothing to help and described how the branch where the deposit was made was the only place that could help, but that would have had to have been at the time of deposit.
I never imagined a less helpful discussion, so asked for her supervisor, who was not available. I have been promised a call-back within 2 days. I tried to explain that the problem needed to be resolved sooner than that or the university that we needed to pay tuition to would levy a hefty late fee. So how do I view what happened? This was a needless alienating experience for a customer who has done business with wamu for decades. When I called my old wamu bank branch in California (Portola Valley, three hours behind GA so still business hours) I got the explanation I needed, immediately and without any insulting repetition or blather. The manager there said I would do this over the phone if the deposit was made at this branch, so just go to your the branch where you made the deposit and they will take care of it tomorrow morning. We made the deposit in Toco Hills branch in Atlanta, and will hope to resolve this in the morning. In any eventuality, I will never call what wamu incorrectly labels Customer Service again! I am totally baffled why their customer service phone center could be so poor.
Inability to pay a tuition fee due to greater than 10 business day delay in clearing a deposit, causing late fees to be assessed by the college.
Patricia of San Bernardino CA (01/02/08)
My savings account at Washington Mutual was closed without any prior notification on 12-11-07. They said it was done at a branch I have never been to. I never signed any paper to authorize such cancellation of my account. They say a check was mailed on the 12th of December and I still haven't received it. I went back to the branch several times and I spoke to many representatives in person and by phone, but they still don't know why my account was closed and all they say is that they can't do anything to get my money back until I get the check. It's been more than 20 days and I still haven't got the check.
The problem is that I am not working and since they took my savings away form me I am in debt for things that I had to pay and I hadn't anticipated to be out of money. In consequence, I had to borrow money to pay for my necessities. That was my spare money for moments like this. They closed my account without my authorization or knowledge and put that money out of my reach because of their ineptitude. I wasn't even able to buy gifts for Christmas or have a decent dinner because they closed my account, no New Year's celebration and they sent me a check that I still haven't received. Thanks to Washington Mutual's mistake I am struggling and had the worst holidays of my life and I am buried in debts and all they say is sorry.
Young of Salem OR (12/31/07)
June 2003 when I opened a platinum checking, platinum savings, and CDs in Washington Mutual Bank, they said there would be no monthly charges as long as I keep $10,000 as the combining balance. Since my CD exceeds well over $10,000, I opened these accounts. In June 2007, I received a monthly bank statement from WAMU and found out they were charged $20 ($10 each for May and June) for monthly fees into my platinum savings account. They did not send me a May statement. It happened before when they mistakenly de-linked my CDs from my checking or savings, and it was corrected through call center easily then. As usual, I called their call center and heard that their policy changed, and it is no longer combined, but balance of platinum savings account is by itself since May. They had never informed me about the policy changes until the day I called and refused to refund the money. Failed to answer my questions of when and what address they mailed me the information regarding policy changes.
They said that they have the right to change the policy without prior notification to customers. I had no reason to keep the platinum savings if I knew the policy changes on monthly fees. I closed the account immediately for avoiding any more service charges. Felt Wamu intentionally did not send policy change notice earlier to me so that they could get the service charges. The internet advertisement of 5% interest lured me to sign up their online savings in Sepr. 2007. In October, 2007, I called their call center and asked whether or not there is any monthly limit of online bill transactions from my online savings account. She said no limits. Therefore, I changed my bank accounts for several bill payments from my other bank to this account. In November 2007, they charged $10 for service excess fees into my online savings. I called the service center and found out there were indeed 6 limits of transaction per month, but mine was 7.
I told the manager about a call for this specifically. I even offered him the exact date I made the call so that they could track the phone call which was recorded for quality control. He said he cannot listen to the phone records. If no tracking, what's the recording for? And if the call center employee spreads wrong information to customers with no corrections from her supervisor, what is the purpose of their existence after all? If the call center employee gave me the correct information, I would be very careful of the number of transactions and easily spread my bill pays to my other bank accounts. The manager apologized for misguidance done by the call center employee but no refunds again. I don't want apologies; I want my money back!
Katherine of Spokane WA (12/30/07)
Don't use this bank if you will ever need customer service. The customer service calls are answered all over the world, including Manila, Philippines. In addition, they can't speak English. They can't even pronounce Washington Mutual, which is sad. Once I was tired of repeating and respelling things over and over to many different people; I asked if they were in the US, and they lied to me and said they were in the Seattle area. I asked them a very simple geography question about the Seattle area, and they had no clue what the answer was. I was later told that they were instructed not to tell the customers that they were out of the country, but that rule has since changed. I went into my branch to discuss this with someone, and what I got was a haughty, indignant attitude from the manager who loudly told me that outsourcing was now industry standard, and I would not find another bank that did things differently.
I then listed at least 5 banks in the immediate area that are locally owned and calls were answered in our own city. He then tried to change the subject--"So, then what can I do for YOU?" I called Corporate office and the nice lady who answered said that it was pretty unpopular with the customers, but that the call-outsourcing was a corporate decision that she could not change. She said that the best thing to do would be to voice your opinion at the corporate level and possibly if enough people call or close their accounts, the executives might sit up and take notice. I have been a customer for almost 20 years, and I am going to a local bank. Do yourself a favor, THINK LOCAL...use a Credit Union, or a local bank, something other than this huge monstrosity of a company.
Kellie of Mcdonough GA (12/27/07)
No matter how early I make my payment on my credit card, it never is applied on time, so of course I am charged $35 for late fees and $35 for over-limit fees. In Novemember, I paid my bill on Novemember 2, it wasn't due until Nov. 4, which was a Sunday. And still, I was charged $35 in late fees and $35 in over limit fees because they didn't post the payment to my account until Novemember 6. I make all my payments online, and on WAMU's site, you can get your payment to post right then by paying an extra $14.95 to make it cover right then. I wonder if they are doing that so they can make extra money to go along with all the late fees and over limit fees. I closed my account with them because of this issue, one I have had since using a credit card from them. At the rate it is going now, I will never get it paid off! I have made numerous attempts to have this settled to no avail. Their csr tell me that they can't refund my late fees or over limit fees back to my account because it is closed, but yet they can charge me all these fees. I just wish once I could call them and actually understand the person whom I am speaking too, but I am thinking that will never happen.
I have experienced lots of stress, an extreme amount of stress considering I am disabled with 2 children and on a fixed income.
Derek of Fair Lawn NJ (12/23/07)
Washington Mutual decided to close my credit account on December 14th. The firm informed me through a letter that due to inactivity, the account has been closed. They also stated that information on Transunion such as balances too high in relation to limits has caused the closure--which is ABSOLUTELY FALSE. I check my credit every month, and my score on that credit agency is 742. This is a horrible business decision by upper management that will effect 1 million as stated by one of the reps! The government needs to step in on these financial firms because they are doing business that is hurting people who may need to retain lending in the future, such as myself who is looking for a mortgage next year. Now my Fico score will go down due to this blunder. Please, ALL OTHER WAMU CARD HOLDERS THAT HAVE HAD YOUR ACCOUNT CLOSED ON DECEMBER 14TH, LIST YOUR COMPLAINT HERE and maybe something can come of it.
They stated in the letter that this would not effect my credit, but that is completely wrong. By closing the account and taking away the large available balance, this will no doubt hurt my score, thus hurting my borrowing power when looking to obtain a mortgage next year.
Veronica of Monterey CA (12/20/07)
I have been a member of Washington Mutual since 1999 and my dad even longer. In 06 I found out that that we have become a victim of online banking (Washington Mutual) Identity Theft and it had been going on for 2 years and I never got a statement for a year and a half because it went somewhere else. After I found out, I did my own investigation and got all my statements for 2004-2006 and I was blown away. I mean I was taken for a lot of money, but what makes me more upset is how much money the bank made to $5000.00 overdraft and$1500.00 on extra charges and the fact their customer service didn't want to help. I feel the bank owes me for all those overdraft charges and extra charges and the $180.00 they had the nerve to charge me for the staements I needed. You would think they would try and help you in anyway possible.
I've suffered emotionally, physically and financial distress and I don't even go into the bank. I have been in debt since this matter and it's been a year of stress and anger to finally get this thing to court (criminal) and now I want to take wamu to court because I feel they are partially responsible because they should have done something like close the acount or freeze the acct, then I would have to go in the bank to talk to someone. I have reported this to everybody and done everythig a victim is suppose to do, all I want is justice.
Carol of Santa Monica CA (12/19/07)
Washington Mutual decided our safe deposit box belonged to another customer who was not paying their bill. Without notifying us, and while continuing to charge us rent on the box, they drilled it, removed our property, then sent it to the State Controllers Office. When we went to the bank to open the box, there were two boxes with our number on it, neither of which could be opened with our key. One week later, the boxes were drilled. The one they thought belonged to us was empty; the one they thought was empty contained the property of another person. After one month, the bank located our property at the State Controllers Office and had it mailed back to the bank. At no time did they realize that the documents with our names on them belonged to a bank customer, nor were we notified, even though their records clearly showed us as the renters of that box. When we went to the bank to receive our property we were kept waiting for two hours before any employee would talk to us, and they then informed us that they would not return our property. The bank manager and assistant manager never return our phone calls, failed to keep us informed of the progress of our case, and always blamed other employees who no longer work at the bank, and deny any responsibility for our inconvenience and loss.
Access to important documents was delayed for over six weeks. Family heirlooms may have been stolen, and the bank wants us to prove we own them before they will offer any settlement. We have been unable to inspect our property, so have no idea whether or not anything is missing.
Rose of Bronx NY (12/18/07)
I have been banking with WAMU for approximately 3 yrs. This is my story: On 12/14/2007 I personally went to a teller and withdrew from my acct $370.00 and made a deposit to another WAMU acct for $140.00. The amount dispensed to me was supposed to have been for $230.00 but instead I received $140.00. The receipt clearly states that the amount dispensed was $140.00. On 12/15/2007 I contacted the branch manager, Alexis, and explained to him the situation. Alexis stated that he would put in an investigation and that I would have to wait until Tuesday 12/18/2007 for the results. Even though I clearly had the receipt as evidence. Therefore on 12/18/2007, I called him on the phone in order to obtain an update. However, after 3 different attempts, Alexis stated that a response was not back and that in the meantime he would deposit $90.00 to my account. That same day during the night time, I called telephone service, and CSR stated that an investigation was never filed and that $90.00 was never deposited to my account. The CSR placed the investigation the same night and stated that it will take about 5 business days for the results. So, here we are 12/18/07 at 10:27pm. It has been 3 business days from Friday and I still have not received MY money.
Due to this situation, I have been very depressed. I am a single mother, so every penny counts in my budget. The branch manager did not provide the service that I required and evidently thought that I was lying. I needed this money to pay a bill, especially during the Christmas season. My money is very unsecure in this bank. The service provided was the worst. I would never recommend WAMU to anyone.
Veronica of Monterey CA (12/17/07)
I am a customer of Washington Mutual and was in good standing until I became a victim of internet identity. The theft, which was done on my on-line banking, had been going on for 2 years until I found out so I was blown away on all the overdraft charges. There were 22 in 2 weeks and all started in 2004 to 2006, but I never really saw a statement until 06/05. I was in severe depression and had an unstable mind. 9/06 is when I realized what was going on and and couldn't believe all the money the bank made from me on overdraft charges and other extra fees - $6000.00. They should have called or at least frozen the account and atm card since they couldn't by mail. I am prosecuting this case and I also hold the bank partially responsible as they did no handle my case in a professional matter and won't admit they were wrong or even apologize.
Since 9-06 I have suffered emotional and mental abuse and it caused me to take a year to put all the pieces together of what happen. Now, since visiting the DA office, she told me what I need to do and now I am ready to take it back to the police department. I have been broke all the time fighting off bill collecters because I lost over $1000.00 and that was all my life savings. I am emotionally scarred and will never get over it. All I want is justice.
Jacel of Chandler AZ (12/11/07)
When I was deciding which bank to open a savings account with, I researched a few of the banks and Washington Mutual appeared to have the least amount of fees. Most of the other banks had all these fees listed and I already had a wamu checking account so I thought I was in the clear in terms of the fees. This month I was charged an excess activity fee. I called immediately and was told that it is federal law that I get charged for anymore than 6 transactions per month. First of all, I am required to transfer every month to avoid a monthly fee. Second, all my transfers were from one wamu account to the other except for the direct deposit from my job. Third, I called to try and close my account and I was told that they would have to charge me another excess activity fee which would put my account negative and then I would be charged a fee for my account being negative from their fee! I don't even know who to talk to or complain to! Washington Mutual has all these ads for being the little guy among the big national banks and being truly free, but it seems as though they just hide their fees better. Is there anywhere I can really write so someone will listen? All I really want is for Wamu to be more upfront about their fees, rather than having this front as being Free and being the Little guy; when they really just hide their fees better. I don't think they should be allowed to have commercials like that and still be so underhanded with their fees.
Arjun of Durham NC (12/11/07)
I am a student and have been a customer of Washington Mutual for several years. For the first time, my account was apparently overdrawn this past week. Wamu continued to charge Overdraft fees even though my account balance continued to dip negatively, all the while continuing to permit the use of my ATM card for all purposes, including withdrawing funds and paying at retail facilities. Certainly I would not have been using the card had I known this was even a remote possibility. In fact I had deposited far more money than I spent in the past week, just last week, and the only reason I continued spending was I believe it had been credited. The charges were $30 dollars each and included charges when the amount spent was 1 cent. (to McDonalds). I refuse to understand how or for what Mcdonalds charged me one cent, but nonetheless it is present on my Washington Mutual account as an overdrafted withdrawal.
With the most up to date information, I have a total overdraw fee of at least $180 dollars, however I believe it will rise significantly as the last 2 days of expenses are credited. As a student with the term near conclusion there are numerous project deadlines I must adhere too as well as final examinations this week. This situation with Washington Mutual has severely increased the stress I feel, and has the potential of damaging my end-of semester performance which could easily affect my long term chances of success. I would like to know about any pending, ongoing class-action lawsuits I could join to address my grievances.
Chad of Spokane WA (12/11/07)
In November 2007, my girlfriend wanted to start a small business and so we decided that we should open a bank account for it. I had previously worked for Washington Mutual and remembered their policies being reasonable when I worked for them, so we went to our nearest branch and signed up for a Small Business checking account. Less than one month later, I check our account balance through the Online Banking service and discover that we are overdrawn. I do a quick overview of charges and it turns out I have a charge for $59.95 that I never approved, to pay for a product that I had been offered for free. No big deal, I think, this sort of thing happens all the time and when I worked for WaMu there would have been no cost to a customer that had this happen to them.
I call the offending company to work things out, then drop by my local branch the next day and make a deposit, explaining that I'll call back about the overdraft fees when I get the refund for the unauthorized charge. The company refunded the $59.95. I called the 1-800 number to tell them that the $59.95 was unauthorized and has since been taken care of and that I would like my 3 overdraft fees (totaling $96.00) refunded since they would have not happened if not for this charge. The representative tells me he can't refund it so I wait on hold for a manager. The manager tells me they can't refund it because it's not the bank's error. I decide to talk to my branch in person and get the same answer; even though I did nothing to incur this fee, even though the bank is incurring no expense by refunding it, it's the merchant's fault and therefore the merchant has to refund it. Or if they won't it's my problem. Even if it's the result of an unauthorized charge.
I mention that had I filed a dispute with the bank itself I would have been able to claim the overdraft charges on the dispute but had actually saved the bank labor by calling the merchant and resolving it myself but no one wants to hear any logic that doesn't involve them keeping my money. I'm currently fighting both the bank and the merchant on this; I've been promised a call back from both and it's been almost a week. I'm considering legal options as I'm not entirely convinced WaMu can charge me for what happened. If they can it's an argument against having debit cards at all and certainly against having one with the kind of bank that would blatantly mug its customers like this.
I'm out $96 in overdraft fees.
Beverly of Hackensack NJ (12/04/07)
I had an credit card account with Providian who is now WaMu. The account was paid in full and left open until after I had completed my closing. For unknown reasons, even though I paid on time and paid off my debt, WaMu mistakenly closed my account without notifiy me. For a year I still checked my account online to assure there were no charges. No where online did it state my account was closed. I called to request a replacement card and they told my I didn't have an account and that I had requested to close the account. I assured them I did not and that it was an error completed by their support office. The refuse to reopen the account saying it was past 30 days adn that I would have to re-apply.
Now that my account is closed after paying off 10K it has affected my FICO score. I find it unfair that they refuse to correct their error and caused my scoring to become poor.
Chris of Pasadena CA (12/04/07)
They told me that their new policy is to have five day holds on cash fund transfers. My customer sent my money, it no longer appears in their bank, but WAMU won't tell me if it is even enroute to me. If it is, they'll hold it for five days before I know about it. They treated me like I am going to bounce every check!
Pam of Palmdale CA (11/26/07)
On Nov 11th, I notified WAMU regarding 2 fraudulent pending debit transactions and was informed nothing could be done until the transactions are posted. I informed them the transactions put our available balance negative and they informed me there was nothing they could do as the transactions had not been posted. I took it upon myself to cancel my debit card and have a new card issued in 7-10 days. On Nov 13th at 3:45AM, I notified WAMU that the fraudulent transactions had been posted. With the fraudulent transaction claim completed, I was informed it might take 7-10 days to reverse the fraudulent items. I complained that my account was negative due to the transactions and overdraft charges would be incurred and was assured all would be corrected in 7-10 days. On Nov 26th, WAMU finally reversed the fraudulent transactions and only 1 $30 overdraft charge, conveniently forgetting the other $270 in overdraft charges incurred due to the fraudulent transactions. The reversal was posted with the date of Nov 26th and not when the fraudulent transactions actually posted on Nov 13th.
Fraudulent transactions caused $300 in overdraft charges and WAMU graciously reversed only $30 in overdraft charges.
Hildarosa of Catasauqua PA (11/25/07)
On 11/16/2007 I could not use my debit card at the dr's. office. When I called WaMu they stated there was a lien on my account by a collection company. They could not help any further. When I called that number a general mailbox is used. I specifically told them to call after 4 or 5 pm when I get home from work. They only call at 9 or 11am. I called WaMu again asking for any further info, like a copy of the said judgment; they could not and would not help me.
How can they offer a bank account to people with low credit scores only to go in and take their savings and checking. Is this not deceptive? To not disclose when I applied for this account that I would wind up losing everything? I finally get a letter from the bank on 11/24/07.
I have no money since all is in my bank account until my next paycheck. I am just beyond grief and depressed. I don't know what to do or who to go to help me recover.
Pamela of Conway AR (11/24/07)
My WaMu interest rate was arbitrarily changed from around 20% to 31%, and I cannot get a reason why. I have never been late, over limit, and have always paid more than the minimum. I have nothing negative on my credit report to trigger the so called default rate. In fact, my credit score has increased each month since the issuing of the WAMU card almost 2 years ago. There is absolutely no reason for jacking up my rate. There is no human at WAMU with whom I can discuss this, and the supposedly explanatory letters I am sent do not even begin to address my questions.
I can't understand why WaMu is allowed to sabotage me when I've done nothing wrong. I should at least be given an explanation.
Martha of Walnut CA (11/24/07)
We've had our business account with Washington Mutual for approx. 5 years. Husband went and deposited a $6,000 Certified Funds check on 11/20/08. They put a 10 day hold on our check. I was furious and called the bank and had it out with them. Their manager Sherry called and verified the check on Wednesday with the bank in Texas. Our certified funds check is still on hold until 11/28/07. In the meantime, my husband made a deposit on 11/21/08 into another account so as not to complicate things more with the business account. On Friday, we tried using our atm card from the personal account. Our card was denied. We called the 800 number and were told that absolutely no debits would be approved because there was not enough money in that account or in our business account to cover the initial $6,000 certified funds check.
During my arguing with the branch, I received a call from their security personnel. Then the local sheriff called me. The bank is closing both of our accounts. We have no access to our money in these accounts. They are going to hold our money until December 6. I tried calling the bank and was referred to the 800 number. I called the 800 number and was referred to the bank who said they were no longer doing business with me and referred me back to the 800 number and said to work it out with them.
We became very depressed. It was Thanksgiving week and we had no access to our money in our business account, nor our personal account in which a deposit of $370.00 had been made on Wednesday.
Deb of West Union OH (11/23/07)
I opened a WAMU credit card with a limit of $1,500 in Sept. '06. I have paid on the card and did run it up to it's maximum amount. Since finding employment in May '07, I have made payments on the card. I had a late payment once and they raised my interest rate to over 20% and doubled my minimum payment. I got calls 20 times a day from a number (identified on-line as WAMU) with no message left and no way to return the calls. I called the numbers that came through and no one answered. This went on for a month, and then I got a statement telling me I had until a certain date to pay a certain amount. I called customer service and was put into a voice mail tree that asked me to verify that I could send the payment. I did and I sent more than the payment, but had to stop payment on the check as I had a car repair and had no other money for a week to use.
Next thing I know WM is sending me a letter telling me they have closed my account, and 2 days later a collection agency in Minnesota sends me a letter requesting over $1,900 in immediate payment. I cannot pay this and I am in shock that a company would close an account over one late payment, raise the % to over 30, and run the balance up to almost $500 more than was due on the last statement. I see that this organization (WAMU) is running a scam on customers. I will not deal with these people.
My credit rating, which I have spent the last 2 years building up, has gone down, and I cannot get any kind of loan for anything.
Dmitriy of San Diego CA (11/22/07)
WAMU is arrogant and ignorant bank that treats customers as dirt. Their customer service is below ground zero. I thought if I would file a complaint with BBB that would make them listen to me, but they did not even try to call me. Not even once.
Teresa of Seattle WA (11/18/07)
I have recently had a few unfortunate circumstances which have caused me some financial hardship. I have been dealing with their fees knowing I am having difficulty. On Nov. 7, 2007 I acquired a small loan to help me get current with my bank account and bills. Wanting the money to deposit into my account as quickly as possible, I deposited the check from the lending agent through an ATM machine. Then I sent in my car payment. I had no idea until 5 days later when I received a notice in the mail that instead of depositing the check in my overdrawn account, Washington Mutual had put a hold on it. This caused checks I had written to other businesses, including my car payment, to be returned with a fine at both Washington Mutual and the other places the checks were returned from. When I called the bank to inquire about the hold, I was told that because the deposit went through an ATM there is no person in the entire hierarchy of Washington Mutual Bank who can lift the hold. I am now late for paying my rent as well. By putting a hold on the check that was supposed to bring me current, WAMU has caused me to fall further behind while they are collecting more fees. No one at Washington Mutual will listen to me.
This has cost me $300.00 and problems with at least 4 other creditors.
Linda of San Antonio TX (11/15/07)
My husband lost his job, and I have been very ill with the MCRA staph infection and have been in the hospital for several months, had 9 surgeries and extremely high medical expenses as a result. My husband has retired because he turned 65 and was unable to secure employment except for part-time which he accepted. We tried to set up a payment plan with WAMU. They would accept it one day, and then denied the plan existed the next day or refused to honor the agreement. They wanted nearly double of what we said we could possibly pay, so they continually reported us as late to the credit bureaus even though we paid the bill monthly. They always wanted more despite a payment plan and then raised our interest rates because we didn't pay the full amount.
We paid what we agreed to pay during the agreement. I even have confirmation numbers. When I give them the confirmation numbers they tell me that the numbers aren't theirs but their amounts are--and then raise my rates. They call me more than once per day and usually wake me up. I get tired of talking to India. It is ridiculous. This is harassment. The managers tell me they will review the situation and will phone me back, but they never do. Please help. Thanks.
John of Henderson NV (11/15/07)
I spoke with Saundra about the Washington Mutual Bank policy about third party checks--seeking a solution to a third party check regarding a joint venture investment. I told Saundra that my accounts at Bank of America and Nevada State Bank allowed me to deposit the check in a similar situation; especially since my son-in-law had signed the check and gave me a copy of his driver's license. Saundra's response was, "Why don't you just cancel your account with Washington Mutual and open a joint account with B of A or Nevada State?"
Washington Mutual must think that just because they offer free checking, they don't need to offer good service. If this is an example of Washington Mutuals customer service, then is this a reasonable trade off for good, professional and sound banking service? I suggest it's time for those that care to tell Washington Mutual what they think.
Ria of Astoria NY (11/11/07)
This bank practices shady accounting techniques in order to charge overdraft charge after overdraft charge. They don't show transactions as they occur. I had a business checking account with WAMU for quite a while but moved and signed up with HSBC. I went to a branch one hour away to close my account, and they told me they couldn't since I had pending transactions. The last purchase I had made was a good 3 days before. The rep even had all the recent transactions listed in the computer. I told him to give me the remaining balance--of course, stressing to cover all those recent transactions from a few days prior.
Then a few days later I checked my online account and noticed they charged me three $32 overdraft charges putting me into a negative balance. Transactions from the 13th were were dated the 15th--the exact day I attempted to close the account. At this point knowing I already was done with them I cut my card in half and realized I'd have to pay the charges since WaMu's phone system is highly unprofessional, and they have incompetant reps who won't help or give a logical explanations.
So two weeks go by, and I decide to look at my online account for any changes. To me shock they added a bogus $6.00 ATM charge! I had stopped using the account even days before attemptng to close it. I didn't go to any ATM! When I called their 1-800 number the rep said I used an ATM that wasn't a WaMU bank. Impossible! In conclusion WAMU is a bad bank. They hold accounts hostage and move around transactions so you're unfairly stuck with overage charges. My account is currently minus $170, and I plan on reporting them to the Better Business Bureau as well. If you know anyone with a WAMU account, tell them to close the account before it's too late.
Gloria of Diablo CA (11/11/07)
My son accrued fees of $120 from using his WaMu debit card 4 times in 5 days to buy items totaling less then $25. He had plenty of funds available in his savings account but a zero balance in his checking account. A few days before this happened he checked online to his WaMu account but was blocked from entering and told to call the 800-number. They did not tell him his checking was at zero balance or warn that he should transfer money from his savings (that would be looking out for the customer). He only was assured that a new password would be sent via email so he can view his account. That password was never received. Thus he was never able to view his account to notice his checking account was at zero balance. He was charged $120 in fees in less then 5 days!
After discussing the matter with a supervisor at the WAMU 800# they were very rude--making my son out to be incompetent and this simply a bank lesson to be learned. They said they could only reverse one of the $30 fees, and we should be forever grateful. I explained the situation, but declined to budge and reverse all the fees and said, "This is our business practice, and we are sorry that your son was unable to look at his account online; we can not reverse the fees."
Done deal! I will no longer have my teenage son bank with this institution who rips people off. This bad, awful bank can devour what it can anytime it gets a chance. Shame on you Washington Mutual! SHAME, SHAME!
Craig of Moraga CA (11/06/07)
I have used online banking with wamu for appx. 18 months and have lost several hundred dollars in overdraft fees. once I was overdrawn by $3.00 after having purchased 3 songs from iTunes. I had to pay $90.00 in fines for 3 ninety-nine cent songs. Several times I have checked my account balance in the account summary page on the wamu web site. It shows a dollar amount under the your balance column. If you are overdrawn there is NO negative sign preceding the stated amount.
For example: if you are overdrawn $100 it will simply show ($100). I was told by a customer service supervisor that the parenthesis denote a negative balance. I would think that if wamu were concerned about your financial well being, they would place a negative sign, or red bold type! -on what planet do they use a set of parenthesis to denote a negative balance?
Don of Union City CA (11/03/07)
I opened two accounts with Providian bank cards, and then WaMu purchased this firm. I then get a change of terms notice that has increased my rate from a low, single digit to over 30%. I called WaMu to inform them that is is an error on their part, and they seemed unable to understand English. I have never been late on any of my credit accounts which also include a mortgage and am now paying my balance off from them every month to avoid paying them one cent.
David of Los Angeles CA (10/30/07)
In dealing with WaMu I have been charged numerous over-draft charges in what appears to be a devious manner. They charge me months later for balance inquiry fees, one after the other, to maximize penalties against me. I have paid nearly $300 in penalties for what was massive error on their part. I should have listened to friends telling me not to open or stay with WaMu. I have paid the price.
On two occasions when my rent was mailed to my management company, the checks bounced; I was penalized for the bounced checks totaling $100 due to the fact that when I deposited my checks, WaMu did not have my funds available at the time of deposit--despite the fact that I went to a branch and had deposited several checks from the same job on many occasions. Besides losing money, my credit and good standing with landlord are damaged.
Taryn of Los Angeles CA (10/30/07)
I cannot believe further action has not been taken against WAMU. In spite of their friendly-checking claims, they are downright nefarious in charging fees. WAMU has a way of posting fees and charges such that, even if you have adequate funds in your account they can charge NSF or overdraft fees. They are staunch in refusing to refund those fees. I have even proven to them that charges went through and did not bounce back as claimed. This affects nothing. This can't possibly be legal.
I don't like to say how much I've paid in NSF fees. Before joining them, I had perhaps one or two such fees charged to me in my life.
Bich of Las Vegas NV (10/29/07)
I manage a college textbook store. We've recently received a rash of bad checks that bounced when trying to deposit into our business account. So not only do we loose the amount that the check was written out for, we also receive a fee from our bank for depositing the bad check. So recently, we've started verifying checks to us. Most banks give you a toll free number, and you just enter in the account number on the check; takes 3 minutes. Well it seems like WASHINGTON MUTUAL seems to be the ONLY bank we've dealt with that CANNOT verify a check for a business.
I feel like WAMU is abetting fraudulent check writing by not offering this service. In this day and age of identity theft it seems it should be a no-brainer to offer this service. Keep up with the times, WAMU. I'm just g |
