Bank of America Reviews

So I was overdrawn again so that another overdrawn fee and to top it off. The transactions that was pending and already deducted from my balance was added back to my account and debited again (which the rep I spoke with says that is standard procedure with authorized pending charges) causing another overdrawn fee. So I was charged overdrawn fees twice for the same transaction, pitiful. I immediately closed my account and will never have anything good to say about Bank of Scams or Fees known as Bank of America

While checking my Wachovia Online Bank Activity this morning (1/14/2010), I was shocked to see that the utility payment had bounced. I was charged a $35.00 overdraft fee, and they were holding my cash deposit for seven days. I thought for sure this was done in error so I called 1-800-WACHOVIA and spoke with a customer service representative and a supervisor who both claimed that they did not know what this seven-day hold was due to and that the hold was placed on my bank account by my local Wachovia branch in Old Saybrook, CT.

I immediately went to my branch, deposit receipts in hand, asking for an explanation as to why Wachovia is holding my cash for seven days, causing my account to be overdrawn and charging me $35.00 fees for it. The 'personal banker,' Mr. ** had no idea what this hold was about and after researching this matter for 15 minutes or so with no answers, finally had to call Wachovia headquarters to get to the bottom of this situation. The representative he was speaking with on the telephone obviously wasn't familiar with "cash deposit holds" because they were trying to figure it out together for a good ten minutes.

Finally, Mr. ** hung up the telephone and explained to me that since I have a history of overdrafts in my checking account, that Wachovia Bank will now be 'holding' all of my cash deposits for seven days before releasing it into my account. I am outraged. I can certainly understand a check or money order's funds being placed on a seven-day hold until a check clears, but cash deposits? So now, to compound my already dismal financial situation, I am out $35.00 for my utility bill. I will then be charged a fee from the utility company, and I also won't be able to access my cash for seven days.

In my opinion, this is just another ploy for Wachovia Bank to slap $35.00 fees on consumers like myself who are already struggling financially. Is it legal for Wachovia Bank to place "cash deposits" on seven-day holds simply because a person has had overdraft issues in the past? I am sure that in this economic climate, that I am not the only person who has had a check returned from Wachovia Bank. I would greatly appreciate any advice or further knowledge of this situation. I was charged a $35.00 overdraft fee with others to follow I am sure. I will be charged a returned check fee by my utility company, and I will not have access to the cash I deposited for seven days. This is discrimination!

Instead, Wachovia went on to take all my money, then hit me for 18 fees x $35 each for $630.00 in total. This makes no sense at all as the transactions were done on Friday, Saturday and Monday. The minor purchases should have all cleared with no problem at all. On another issue, I even withdrew $60.00 from an ATM machine, to find out I later got hit with a $35.00 NSF fee. This is ridiculous. Why can I be allowed to withdraw money from an ATM and make small debit card purchases with no issues at all when my money was available and the mortgage check did not clear? This is clearly a moneymaking scheme from Wachovia to hold checks on purpose, then hit you with fees on your other transactions.

I have lost $630.00 this week alone. It is unknown at this time what other fees I have been hit with in the past as I have been with Wachovia for over 4 years. I have lost all trust in Wachovia and the banking industry in general. Wachovia is clearly holding checks for days with the highest amount being processed first, then depleting my account when smaller and earlier transactions could have been processed without a fee. Wachovia routinely enforces a policy whereby charges incurred are posted to accounts in non-chronological order in an order designed to maximize their overdraft fees. Wachovia has abused my rights, which amounts to "bad faith".

They strategically waited until all of my charges went through before adding my money. I thought out all of the possible scenarios that might have put me to blame so I could have a logical comeback for everything they threw at me, and then made the call to my local branch. In less than 11 minutes, the woman I spoke to had implied that I was uneducated, a liar, and someone who obviously had no math skills because I apparently could not stop myself from overdrafting. She also made me cry.

I was still persistent, though, and I knew that she could see that I had my facts right. My intelligence is the one of the few things I feel fairly confident about, and the fact that she was reduced to taking cheap shots at me to try to discourage me really made me upset. When I asked to speak to someone who could give me the education she thought I needed, she tried to pawn me off on Customer Service. I then told her to transfer me herself because I wasn't going to trust any number she gave me, and she refused that, too.

In the last three minutes of the call, all she did was tell me that the only way I could prove that they were wrong was to bring in the deposit slip, but I had thrown that away when I got to the mall because I had already memorized the balance. I eventually called Customer Service, and the man I spoke to was the complete opposite of the woman. He told me that once the deposit was completely processed, the time should show that I was correct and that I can call C.S. back instead of the bank, and get it refunded.

I'm still waiting on the deposit information to go through, and I wouldn't be surprised if the time on it was incorrect, too. I'm going into the bank next week to cash the excess money I get from school each semester, and there's no way they're going to get any chance to touch it. I plan on making them give me $1925 in the smallest bills possible just to get a small amount of revenge (immature, but oh, well), speak to the manager about the employee, and then cancel my account.

Economically, I'm out $82 of the $100 I got from my dad for Christmas. Physically, I've probably gained 600 wrinkles from frowning. I could have dehydrated from all the crying I did, too.

Anyway, I'm frightened. Add to the stress, my husband has no idea. He's a wonderful, hardworking man but he has never had children so he doesn't quite understand the panic a parent feels. I am not lazy either, I just got over two weeks with pneumonia caused from working 90+ hours weeks. I am scared to death. I actually need about $500 to get on an even keel. I am not looking for a way out of my obligations, just a little help for right now.

I had an e-mail teller who sent me e-mail receipts to start. However, she lost her job as she knew what she was doing. You know there was another foreigner they could put in her spot, and it would only cost them a dollar an hour. Anyway, they refused to send me a receipt for months. After repeated requests for acknowledgment of payment, I finally decided that if I stopped paying they would ask why, and then I would get a receipt. Yes, I did get one finally. However, they informed the credit bureau that I was a bad credit risk as I refused to pay the balance on the loan. I contend that when they made that bad credit report, they committed libel. And for that reason I am charging them $250.00 for that crime.

To this day every time I contact them to resolve the issue, I end up hanging up as I refuse to give my entire life's history to a bunch of foreigners who can't speak a lick of English. When they respond and agree to my terms, I will pay down the loan in short order. I am forced to do this as it is so easy for them to make my credit look bad and so hard for me to correct the problem. Today's world forces us to air our private laundry in public. It is best that we fix all these problems with government soon. Government is getting less and less friendly all the time.

My next complaint has to do with there automated service charges that can occur after you close the account. The Banking Center refused to refund the $35 charge for a bill payment that was supposed to be disabled by the bank.

For such a large bank, these errors are completely irresponsible and reflect badly on the company. I was never refunded the service charges after I closed the account nor the $9.95 monthly service charge which they billed me for well over a year, despite numerous attempts and promises that it would be taken care of by banking associates at the Woodcroft banking center.

This representative was nice, but not any more helpful than anyone else. He could not tell us why our account was on hold, only that did it. And that she, that one of thousands of employees at Bank of America, was the only person who could take that hold off. And she was not back at work until Monday! I was also told that there was no one else who could help me. That there were no managers there all weekend and supervisor was going to tell me the same thing! Basically I was being told that there was absolutely nothing that they could do for the next 48hours. We were being penalized, being completely cut off from all of our funds, our money, our account, for 48 hours, with no explanation, for no reason! This is so ridiculous, so unacceptable I was practically in tears by the time I got off the phone 2 hours later.

Customer service refused to refund the $35 fee on January 6, because if your holds exceed the actual balance of your account, then technically, your account is negative; and they charged a fee for unofficial negative balance (because after all, they can't show that you have a negative balance, because technically these transactions have not gone through. But they can still charge you for it). I have filed a complaint with the BBB, and when the FTC gets their link working for consumer complaints, I will be filing a complaint there also.

I made a cash deposit at 2:30 p.m. on 1/5/10. I also made several check card purchases the same evening. The check card withdrawals were made that day, but my cash deposit didn't post until 1/6/10.

on Tuesday the 5th. They charged me a $35 overdraft fee, even though it was their $22 fee that caused the math that resulted in the overdraft. I called and discussed it, and they said that the NSF was because the loan payment first came in over the non-business days, although it was posted on the 5th. I think that so then, since my deposit also came in also on a non-business day, and was posted, as well on the first available business day, even before the loan payment posted, that I ought to get the same privilege the bank took.

They "looked into" crediting the fees back for me and the "system" refuses. I argued why since, I have never asked for a credit before, never over drafted the account, never had a penalty before, nothing that should disqualify me from a courtesy afforded most Banking Customers regardless even of fault. The rep says she doesn't know but just that the system returned a 'no'. I think it has to do with the fiscal year, but nevertheless, I am closing my account with Wachovia, and urging my husband to refinance his auto loan through another lender! This was predatory.

i incurred $57 in fees for the bank being ill prepared for banking customer transactions, and for allowing themselves the financial benefit of transactions that "come in" on non-business days, but not allowing the customer the same privilege, for my transactions completed on non-business days.

I called the bank to complain and was told, "It's your problem. We didn't process the transactions until 01/04/2010." And then, they processed them from highest to lowest not in order of the date and time the transactions had occurred. This seems illogical, since people do not keep their check registers in that order but rather as the transactions occurred. The bank told me there was nothing that could be done about it and to just pay the $245 ($35 which I do owe) I am furious, but it seems there is nothing that can be done to stop this practice.

I tried to explain that I didn't cash anything and the rep got defensive. She then transferred me to the claims department. The person in that department was even less helpful and more rude. She informed me that she couldn't help me and immediately transferred me back to customer service where I was greeted with an automated system. I then took off time from work to go to a branch for assistance. The representative there really didn't believe me either.

I got upset and requested information such as the name on the check, name of the person who wrote it, date it was cashed and branch it was cashed at. After she obtained that information, it was obvious that the teller made an error. After that, I was told an investigation would occur and I would get my money back in maybe 48 hours. After I left that branch, BOA then charged me four $35 dollar fees for overdrafts.

On 01/05/10, I called back to BOA to find out when I would get my $500.00 back and to request the fees be removed. The rep removed the fees but told me I would get 4 more the next day and that I would have to call back and get those removed. She said they were pending and she couldn't cancel them. I was also told that the bounced check was mailed to me and that they expected I return it to a branch as soon as I got it.

I just find it crazy that when a company make a mistake, no one takes ownership to fix it. No one contacted me to apologize. No one really cared. My bank account was in the red for almost a week due to BOA's mistake.

They have no number or anything. To find out the email address was incorrect. Followed up again and was told they would escalate the matter and would contact her department supervisor and one of them would call back by the end of the day. Nothing. I followed up the next day and semeam story, different day. The borrower has lost his rate lock and spent $125 and no one can contact the subordination department to resolve this matter. There are an abundance of complaints logged in forums on the internet about the same problem. Something need to be done especially since they are charging customers for this service and then not only not producing but not allowing any way of contact after paying a fee.

This happens on a regular basis. Several times, we have requested payments to be made. They should post within two days. Then, the payee will call and say that the bank has issued it and subsequently take the payment back. Now, since this take back processed has taken a week or more, we go on with our account activity as if they have been paid. Again, we have been seduced into overdraft.

They really need to revamp their overdraft charging system. We have attempted to recover these unnecessary charges. Once, we were charged seven overdraft fees for one overdraft as they repeatedly put through payments that they know are already being made on the account with insufficient funds. We did once protest and ended up with a $12 balance.

Weekly, my husband has to call about their ridiculous overdraft procedure. The government is soon to pass, hopefully a bill limited the bank's ability to repeatedly overcharge the account using this stupid overdraft policy. i advise all to write to their representatives in support of this action.

After several fraud filings, my account was credited only partial amounts for the NSF fees. The debits continued so I went to my local branch to seek assistance since the phone customer service representatives were of no help. I was advised by the local branch manager that the best thing for me to do was to close out that account and reopen a new one, so I did.

Shortly thereafter, I deposited a $2,000 check which was issued to me and was told by the bank branch that the funds for that check would not be available for two days. Two days later, I attempted to check my account online and was unable to log on. My password was "invalid" so I called the automated system and I was horrified by what I heard. My account was overdrawn $888,000! I quickly began making phone calls to the bank wanting to know what was going on. I was transferred to many different departments.

Finally, I was given a phone number to call the "risk department" so I did. The customer service representative advised me that my account had been closed because I had deposited a check from a non existing account and that it was considered fraud! Again, I was horrified, I quickly took time off from my job and went to the business who had given me the check. It was a very reputable car dealership who had given me a refund for a down payment I had made towards the purchase of a new vehicle. Since I changed my mind about purchasing the vehicle due to the terms, they reimbursed my money with a check from the company.

I went into the dealership extremely upset and advised them what my bank had told me regarding their check. They went to work on it quickly and contacted their bank who confirmed that the check had in fact cleared already with no problems. I felt like a fool! I then contacted Bank of America once again and this time, I spoke to a different person who advised me that the check I deposited was in fact good and had no earthly idea why anyone would tell me otherwise and then said that I was making the whole thing up! He then told me that my account had been closed because it had been overdrafted a numerous amount of times. I told him that the account was brand new and the reason I opened the new account was at the suggestion of the local branch manager.

I was advised that I should have never closed my previous bank account and that there was no record of me ever filing reports for unauthorized debits and there was no access to my previous account! I was mortified, I then asked about the money that was in my account when they closed it which totaled approximately $4,000 due to a recent payroll deposit in addition to the check I had deposited two days before. I was advised that I did not have access to my money and wouldn't for 10-14 days which was the time it took them to completely close out my account! I was furious! I had not a single dime in my pocket, my payroll check and an additional $2,000 was being held by the bank for no reason for two weeks.

I made persistent phone calls to get answers and all the representatives were rude, some were even sarcastic and would mock me by chuckling at the fact that I had no money and no access to my money. I finally got one representative to advise me that he had located the numerous unauthorized debits that I had filed and that he would take care of the situation for me. All I had to do was give him no more than two days to rectify the problem and reinstate my account. I waited the two days and still, my account was closed. My bills were due and I still had no access to my money. And to make things worse, I could no longer get in touch with the customer service representative who said that he would fix and reinstate my account.

I spoke to several representatives who told me that no such thing could be done and that my account was in the process of being closed so it would take an additional 10-14 days since I requested an investigation. I was desperate since I had no way of paying my bills. And now, I had to wait an additional 10-14 days. Once again, all my reports of unauthorized debits were nowhere to be located and all my information had somehow disappeared.

One month later, I received a check from Bank of America for less the amount that I had in my account. I once again contacted Bank of America and they advised me that they had a fee for closing out the account and since I had requested an investigation for the unauthorized debits, there was an additional fee assessed! In total, they kept over $200 of my money. I was fed up with the bank so I went to a local branch to cash the check I was sent by them. They refused to cash the check because, lo and behold, I didn't have an account with them and in addition, they told me that they had no way of knowing if the check I was presenting to them was authentic!

I showed them the letter, the envelope and the stub the check was attached to and the branch manager told me that they could not cash it because I did not have an account and that the check might be fraudulent. I told them that if the check was no good, then they would have to take it up with their "risk department" because that's where it came from. The manager and the employees were extremely rude! I finally made a scene by threatening them with a lawsuit, the branch manager then told me that he would cash the check but if it was no good, he would personally go looking for me! Bank of America Corporation are the biggest thieves I have ever encountered!

Every cent I had was held hostage for a month. I was assessed late fees for my home, my electricity was disconnected which assessed me an additional $100 to reconnect, my cell phones were suspended, I had to pawn some of my jewelry just to get gas and make it through the 10-14 days they claimed it would take to completely close out my account, which ended up taking 30 days. I had no money to buy every day essentials since I get paid on a monthly basis. Bank of America placed me and my family in a very bad situation for one month!

I tried to close the account twice but am unable to do anything until the restraint is taken off. The first time for this and the reason is because I want to close the account out. Now I have to pay all the fees accumulating now. We all realize that Wachoiva made bad loans and took a bailout from the government and must pay it back. This doesn't give you the right to screw the individually account holder. I didn't make your bad loans and I don't want to be screwed over by fees. Because of all this, I must start an anti-Wachovia blog on the internet. Just as soon as the restraint is lifted, I am closing this account forever. Shame on Wachovia Bank. I was going to transfer my business account over to Wachovia but there's no way in hell will I trust Wachoiva with so much money.

I went into our branch the other day, and they told me they could not do that? They said they cannot issue anything on letterhead. I came home and called the corporate offices, and they told me the same thing. They said, "Sorry, we cannot do that for you!" I am mortified to say the least. For one, we need this in order to adopt our child. And two, they lent us the money for the adoption and they have "adoption loans"! Is this for real? I feel like I am in the twilight zone and this is just a bad dream. I'm so disgusted! I called another bank, and they said if I open an account, they could give me the letter I needed that day!

After explaining my situation, he basically said, "Well, don't overdraw your account and you won't have this problem" then hung up on me! So after the holiday, I contacted the branch manager of my local branch where I opened my account with. She was able to give me $70 more back, but also tried selling me on opening another account or getting a credit card with them for overdraft protection. They are ripping their customers off and looking for the most profitable way to do so. I don't think this can possibly be legal. They made $201 off of my mistake. Now I could have handled the one $35 fee, but 9 of them. There has to be something we, as consumers, can do. This isn't the first time they have gotten me with ridiculous fees, but it is the last because I switched banks. I want my money back.

On 12/29, an expected larger auto debit of $305 suddenly appeared ahead of everything else. But this auto debit had been moved and processed ahead of the holds, even though it had a later date, resulting in all of the hold charges suddenly processing afterwards, and all at once, subsequently resulting in $280 overdraft fees. At the same time (all of this taking place literally overnight), the automatic deposit from the previous week was now being processed last, which was conveniently giving the bank the opportunity to take $280 in overdraft fees out of it. Their only argument was, "The larger debit had to be paid first, even though it was submitted last, and the holds could not be processed until they received the receipts from the vendors".

I guess they somehow just managed to receive all of those spread out hold receipts all at once. The bank also claimed that the deposit was not made until the same day it showed up on 12/29, but have themselves previously stated to me, that it takes several days for auto deposits to process and show up, which now contradicts what they have previously stated.

In five months, Bank of America has managed to destroy my retirement as I once knew it. I have had to sell off many things just to stay alive. I would like to say one more thing. There are two FedEx offices in David, Panama and I have pleaded with some of the people I have talked to and asked to have my card sent by FedEx and I would pay for it. It’s the same reply: this is not the place of Bank of America, yet the first 4 cards sent to me were sent by FedEx knowing that the contract Bank of America has with FedEx does cover delivery outside the United States. Merry Christmas, Bank of America.

If they were going to assess a service charge for closing, why wasn't this done the day we went in person to close the account. I don't think we owe them a thing. I'm concerned that if we don't pay, they'll start to charge us overdraft fees. I don't want to just try and work with these guys alone. The reason we changed banks in the first place was due to really lousy customer service. My wife and I currently have $4,300.00 worth of debt. We paid our mortgage off with BOA in May 2009, so we're not some of these folks who are disgruntled about paying interest on debt we owe. We just want to end business dealings with these clowns.

Should we get an attorney, because if they're saying we owe $8.98 as of 12-15-2009, I'm sure we're incurring overdraft charges according to "bankster" logic. Please advise. Oh, and my complaint is just that we closed this account and shouldn't have to pay a dime since we weren't told of the charges at the closing.

I discovered that, out of nowhere, when my account was at $178.54, the bank charged a whopping $105 in overdraft fees. My account was not overdrawn and, in fact, stayed in a positive $73.54! I kept looking at it it and trying to figure out where that $105 came in. This, of course, made my account so low that all my purchases for Christmas quickly ate up the paltry $73.54 until I was at a zero balance, at which point they began to count every purchase after that as overdrawn. I calculated all my purchases and saw that, had they not charged me that mysterious $105, I would have had enough money in my account to cover all my purchases except two very small amounts (I must have been off somewhere in my calculations while spending). With those two purchases, I would have been overdrawn a maximum of $70. It's still excessive but much better than $365.

If anyone knows of a lawsuit against this bank, please let me know. I'm going tomorrow to see if they will fix this/explain this to me, but I'm not expecting much from what I've read here. If they don't undo this, I will be getting an attorney.

(4) "Where are you getting all that money from?"

He then told me that he was going to close my account. I then called the account that he was going to close and spoke to Cathy. Cathy informed me that Seth did not close the account but lowered my line of credit. Cathy stated that she was not going to comment on what happened, but she agreed that Seth was right to asked those questions. By the way, I did not answer Seth's questions. My monthly payments are always on time, and I pay over the minimum payment each month.

When I called, it said my account was overdrawn by a ridiculous amount of money - over $800,000. So immediately I called customer service. The woman accessed my account and told me that it was closed. When I asked why, she told me that it was decided that it was to be closed and that there was nothing I could do about it. That was it. I was shocked and didn't know what was going on. I was never contacted by BOA that there was a problem. About two days later, I got them back on the phone and demanded to talk to someone about what happened. I was finally given a little information that it had something to do with a third-party check. I was not given any further info at the time. I am a father of four daughters ages 11 to 17. I am in the home construction business, and due to the bad economy I was recently laid off and have to collect unemployment benefits.

I have lost almost half of my income due to the layoff. I am the sole provider for my girls, so right now every dollar counts. We only had $68 after our bills to get to the next unemployment check (two weeks away). Without trying to contact me that there was a problem, they froze my account and we were left with no money and no full explanation. I went into the local branch where I opened the account along with my fiancee of 18 years and mother of all 4 of my kids. I explained the situation to the bank rep. She looked into it and it was at that time that I found out I forgot to sign the check. We explained what we thought was a simple mistake and informed them that I was supposed to cash the check that nothing illegal had taken place. They told me that because I had opened the account recently, I could never open an account with them again. We filled out a statement at the bank and had it notarized at the bank. We had the letter faxed from the bank to the main office.

I was told I would get my money back in about a week - no money. I called several times and spoke with several reps. All they could do was to say to put an escalation on the account (whatever that means). One rep told me my paperwork was received. Two more weeks passed - no money. The last time I called a rep told me that the paperwork had not been received and had to be re-faxed to an internal number that I could not be given. It made absolutely no sense. I wanted the number to make sure this time it was received and was told to take it back to the same person who sent it wrong to begin with. Is it just me or are they playing games? BOA has no regard for the common working-class family and I am disgusted. It has been 2 months now and we still haven't got anything back but a hard time.

The next day, she was hit with 3 overdraft fees totaling $105.00. I called the bank and asked for a refund based on my relationship with the bank. I have been a customer since 1995 and have several personal as well as business accounts. I also told them I thought it was theft to charge $105.00 for an overdraft of $12.00. I thought that BOA had put a stop to this. They informed me they could not charge the overdraft fees if it was under ten dollars. But they were charging a fee for an overdraft of .12 cents and $6.00.

I was given to a "supervisor," who was rude and asked me "Why should the bank take responsibility?" Well, I was angry and hung up before I thought of asking him why I as a taxpayer have to take responsibility for BOA in giving them a bailout. But anyway, I went online and chatted to a representative who gave me 2 of the overdraft fees back, because really it was the moral thing to do. Then, I see another pending $35.00 later that night. So I called, and the rep would not tell me what it was. She said I needed to call back in the morning. I knew what it was. It was another fee, because the two fees they were giving me credit for, which would post the next morning, had caused another overdraft.

I called the next morning (on the chat), and the rep either couldn't or wouldn't understand that I had not overdrawn my account but they did. She kept insisting BOA does not access fees on bank charges, but I showed her that's exactly what they did because if it had not been for the fees, they should never had charged in the first place and that they were giving me back. My account would have not been negative but up by $70.00. She just could not comprehend it. So, she left the conversation and just ditched me.

I called on the phone and got someone who at first could not grasp the logic of what I was saying. But after we went through the debits and credits together, she finally understood that the overdraft was not done by me but by BOA. She said, "We gave you the two fees back, because they were charged for overdrafts under ten dollars." I said, "Yes, and if you had not incorrectly charged them, this would have not overdrawn my account thus resulting in you charging me again." She agreed with my logic and refunded the fee.

I can tell you what is going on with BOA. I worked for BOA for nearly ten years. They used to stress customer service and common sense, looking at customers relationships and taking a personal interest in them. They started weeding out the "old timers" by asking them to become salesmen instead of tellers, demanding unrealistic quotas from them and in general making it miserable to work there. I did not quit because I couldn't meet their demands, because I did meet them and then some. I quit because they started wanting us to stop "thinking" and treat people like crap and con them out of their money. They bring in these new tellers, whom they have trained to not use their common sense but only go by what BOA has told them.

Who cares if someone has banked with them for forty years? If they overdrew their account by $5.00, they charge them! It's ridiculous how people have become numbers and not individuals. Screw BOA! They are cons and thieves. Put them under and take your money somewhere else where logic and common sense are stressed as important tools when dealing with customers! They are a bunch of mindless idiots there!

I have never heard of this before. Bank of America, you are un-American! I have had accounts with you before and closed them. It was nothing but headaches. My daughter has now returned to New Mexico and had to deal with the same issue here. But she is getting her old job back that not only has plenty of money in their account to back up their checks (unlike Boston's Gourmet Pizza), but she will not get paid $6 less every 2 weeks just to cash the check! Someone really needs to do something about this fee.

The following Monday, I noted that I had 4 overdraft fees of $35.00 each. I called BOA and they indicated that I had made my deposit after the cutoff time for that business day (which they say is 7 or 8PM, depending on who you talk to). The four transactions causing the overdrafts all occurred on Thursday with a debit card, which usually means that the money is removed from the account immediately. If this had happened, there would have been only one overdraft transaction on Friday instead of four.

In any case, I thought the new ATM machines that automatically count your cash meant that a cash deposit would be credited to your account on the same day that it is made regardless of the time. Not so, they still have an earlier cutoff time even for cash deposits at an ATM. I called BOA and they, of course, refused to remove overdraft fees. I'm working my way up the line, but I am not hopeful so I guess I will find myself another bank. You would think that BOA would be a little concerned about their image, but they just want to make as much money as they can so they can pay back their bailout money and get back to their executive bonuses and perks.

You see nothing but greed has caused this ten-year plague to fester in my life. I have long forgiven my sister for her desperation and greed. However, the slick car salesman was well aware of and enabled my sister to use my identity. He knows I was never at that rundown dealership purchasing a broken down used 1995 Mazda. I only purchase new vehicles. It was his greed to receive a commission for selling garbage to a consumer. Then there is the greed of the car dealership who needed to dump inventory before having to pay extra taxes on overstocked/unsold inventory. You see the owner or a supervisor also allowed the theft of my identity because I was never on that dealership's premises. I was where I am right now, in Fort Valley, Georgia. I bet if I look at my cancelled checks, I will find a copy of a check I wrote here in Georgia the day the papers at the dealership were signed. I also know a handwriting expect picked by you who would say that it was not my signature. I wish I could say the plague stopped there but it was clearly greed when Sun Trust financed the car.

Sun Trust knew who paid the late payments; they knew when the car was financed. They knew where the car was in Florida and everything about the car. Judith ** of Sun Trust would call and write me about my sister making non-payment or late payments. From my very first awareness of information about a car bought in my name, I stated verbally and put in writing all this was done without my consent. These past ten years of dealing with this plague has been an experience I would not want anyone to have to deal with - it has been extremely annoying and painful.

Sun Trust tried all kind of Mafia tactics to scare, intimidate and break me down. They wrote me threatening letters (included in the February 2008 letter). They called, harassing me on the phone - I have recently located my phone log. I documented in 2005 62 calls between August through December. I will enclose a copy of my phone log with this package. Through the ten-year plague, they mostly threatened to mess up my credit report, turn me in to IRS, and one time they had the audacity to call me at my job. I thought it was an emergency medical call about my mother who at that time was hospitalized. That was a time that I was not very cordial to them. Sun Trust even hired professional firms, Vengroff, Williams & Associates Inc, also Douglas, Knight, & Associates Inc, to perpetrate fair debt collection practices. I must have said this 988 million times for the last ten years, I did not purchase a car in Miami, Florida!

Then the Goliath, greedy Wachovia Bank, entered into my life. I guess greedy Wachovia thought they could squash me, a small town individual. What I have learned from this ten-year plague is that greed is Wachovia's motive for existing on the planet. I see why you lose class action lawsuits. You try to bully small town Americans. I won't lie and say that I was not afraid of you. About seven years ago, I began experiencing anxiety attacks every time something came in about my identity theft. Then I learned to face the monster, stand up to the monster and fight back. That's why when you, Wachovia, acquired Sun Trust and decided to attack me and make me pay for my identity being stolen and about $5,995.00 on a car that was repossessed in 2001 or 2002 and resold - you did not know who I had grown to be, a survivor. What does not kill me can only make stronger. That is my personal motto.

It was your blatant threat to turn over information to IRS that made me mad and forced me in February 2008 to write BBB, OCC, IRS and all others I sent copies to in 2008. BBB and OCC both wrote me back and said that you said you were going to settle and clear everything up. Well they, BBB & OCC must believe in legends, myths, and fairy tales. I believe in only what my eyes see and my ears hear.

BBB, OCC, IRS, and others, I hope you are still reading because my ten-year plague caused by greedy Wachovia Bank is still going on as of today, December 20, 2009. Greedy made and acted out their threats to me!

Threat #1 was when greedy bank, Wachovia, said they would mess up my credit and they did, by placing negative information on my reports. I know they told you, BBB & OCC, that they would remove the information. My 12-year-old niece googled me this week and questioned me about when I ever lived in Florida. I have always lived in the state of Georgia. That let me know that Wachovia, the greedy bank did not do what they said they would do. So I am happy to say I did not and will not sign that claims release form; I claim and I blame Wachovia for this ten-year plague!

Threat #2 was when greedy bank, Wachovia, said that they would turn in financial records to IRS - and they did! You see IRS contacted me in August 2009 and said that I owed IRS $988 for tax adjustments in 2007. Wachovia said that I did not include $5.995 income increase on my taxes for 2007. The reality is that since I would not be intimidated into giving greedy bank, Wachovia, $5,995, they turned in false documents to IRS, another greedy blood-sucking leech. I know I am not the only person on the planet that this bank has persecuted - I thank God for class action lawsuits!

Now I spoke with an attorney and he advised me to send IRS all the information I had disputing the claim but don't send any money. I sent the February 2008 letter with all the enclosed documents; however, I did enclose a certified check for $988, fear of IRS. I thought surely IRS got a reader who sees my ten-year plague and they will return my money. I waited and then I called and spoke with an IRS representative - I don't remember the male's name. All I recall is slamming down the phone because he said that I would not get my money back! Then on December 17, 2009, I received a certified letter telling me I was not going to get my money back; I owed the $988.

I cannot understand why! Wachovia, greedy bank, you were able to pull off one last scheme of total fraud against me! When you could not force me to pay for my identity being stolen, you hurt me by submitting false documents to IRS.

IRS, you fell for a lie. The car was repossessed and resold in 2001-2002. Wachovia and Sun Trust both have written that car off as a loss on their corporate taxes. They waited at least five years to inflict more revenge! How is this possible in a democratic society - oh I know, Corporate America - mega banks and businesses call it Fair Debt Collection Practices! Lol, I am truly laughing!

IRS, don't you think for a minute that I am going to allow you to keep what is mine. Since you are following up on me, go look back at all my other tax returns, especially look at the year I had to pay. My great aunt Bessie filled out my taxes that year and I know she made a mistake. So you need to calculate and include all the interest you owe me and everyday you keep my $988, holidays included, I am calculating interest. You see so many small town Americans like myself automatically grow up to fear the all powerful IRS. I used to fear you until lost respect for you.

To resolve the problem I demand that Wachovia immediately stop and cease this ten-year plague and raping of me, that Wachovia make all corrections to my credit report and evaporate from my life; all traces of me living anywhere other than Fort Valley, Georgia are to never appear by my name, repair and correction to my tax records with IRS. Don't even attempt to try and connect my sister to your impending downfall Wachovia. You caused all this because of your insatiable greed!

New laws and/or regulation guidelines must be implemented to protect small town and all Americans from this type of unfair debt collection practices! IRS, review and refund with interest all money illegally taken from me, etc., etc.

I do not look forward to hearing from you and nor do I expect you to adhere to the resolution of this problem. I will not wait for another minute before I hire my own personal team of lawyers. Please do not waste my time contacting me at the above address or by phone; I will see you in court in 2010! You have done all you can do to me at this point and time! Now I am standing and fighting back!

I was lucky they cancelled the account without any fuss. These fees have gotten totally out of hand. I've been with BOA for many years so I didn't want to have to start over with another bank because I've already established a relationship with them. Also, I'm a veteran on a fixed income right now, so these 2 fees put a big dent in my budget for this month.

After processing, my account totaled a balance of -$4.10 and I was still charged a fee. I just spoke with Bank of America and to my dismay, they will not credit me back this overdraft charge. I have no idea how they are getting away with this. Hopefully, people speak out to this. It's wrong to prey on the poor and then claim it's the customers fault.

Now, I'm in a position to have to change my phone number just so that they won't have it. There doesn't seem to be any recourse for me to stop the harassment. To be fair, I've made the mistake of previously donating to charities who have called my home number, and I can't get them to stop harassing me either. So changing my number actually solves more than one problem. However, I consider my home phone a convenience for me; I don't have it so that I can be contacted by phone solicitors. And I shouldn't have to put up with calls I don't want to receive especially after asking them not to call anymore. And I shouldn't have to fill out a ream of paperwork or spend months trying to get out of someone's system.

I wish there was someone who would be responsive to complaints. Going from one complaint website to another may spread the word, but in the end I still have to go through the hassle of changing my number and getting it to the people (and businesses) who I trust to have it.

I was reported again in November 2008 for my Signature bank account. This was a charge-off account that I didn't make right, mostly because it was a majority of fees from Signature continuously running a $300.00 rent check through more than 8 times. Before I finally said stop. Anyway, it's still my fault for letting it continue. I filed for bankruptcy, chapter 13, end of July and had a meeting of creditors beginning of November. I have been paying on it since October. The bankruptcy hasn't yet reported to Chex Systems to take care of these.

On December 10th around 10AM, I logged into my bank account to verify a posting of my paycheck and balance my account. I do not receive paper statements. I had a balance of roughly $760.00 and $50.00 in my savings. I had been saving to purchase an iPhone and was also verifying the funds. That same evening, I went to AT&T to purchase my phone. My debit card wouldn't process. I had been having issues with it with some online purchases and asked the customer service rep if I could use the phone to look at my balance online, thinking maybe some money hadn't officially posted yet. I was unable to log in. Thinking it was my inability to operate an iPhone successfully yet, I asked if I could write a check. He agreed and the transaction was completed.

The following day, December 11th, I tried to log into my online bank account to double check the account to see what may have caused the issue the evening before and if I should just have BOA issue me a new debit card. Imagine my surprise as I couldn't log in because my password was inaccurate. Feeling more apprehensive, I called BOA customer service. BOA gives you balance information as you wait to talk to a rep. My balance information? -$8,000+. I immediately expected another hack, which I had suspicions of with the Arvest account and went for the Bank of America location where I opened my account.

The rep informed me that it was actually a hold on my account, that she couldn't help me and that I had to call the Risk Customer Service. I called and gave my information to the extremely irritated and unhelpful rep (I don't want to even call them customer service). He told me the reason for the negative balance was the $8,000 hold on the account from Signature Bank. So, I asked why Signature put a hold on my account. The rep said because I was reported to Chex Systems as a charge-off account with them and I would have to work that out with Signature. He informed me of three transactions that would still be posted to my account and any others that I had done that were not listed would be returned. But I had written two checks and purchased something from iTunes and eBay the night before that were not noted as pending on my history as of 12/11/09. They would be returned.

I requested to close my account and have them return my money to me. I requested the money in two money orders for the two checks and the rest in cash. But I left enough money in the account to cover the transactions that were pending on 12/11/09, plus an additional $15.00 as to cover anything that I couldn't remember that would be insignificant yet still come through. I could not close the account at that time because there were still transactions pending. I walked away with roughly $150.00 in cash and my money orders, and spent the whole afternoon of Friday the 11th trying to pay everything that would be returned.

I inquired about my balance with my savings account of $52.00 and they said they don't have a record of there ever being that much in there. I only walked away from that with $26.00. I also called Signature and spoke with an extremely hateful lady named Debbie, screw you Debbie and your evil attitude, who kept interrupting me without giving me any information. The only thing I did find out from here is that Signature didn't request the hold; they only had reported me to Chex Systems.

I spent the majority of my day calling several people at check systems, BOA and my attorney to find out what I needed to do and what's the reason for the hold, then eventual closing of my account was. I talked to 4 different people at BOA and only one, the final rep I talked to, gave me information that was helpful and steps I should take to find out more information on why they waited a month to close my account. He also informed me that it was not a charge to me, for the $8,000, that it was just a code they use to post money so that no other transactions can be posted. I inquired about notification. He said I was notified on the 10th by letter, the same day they closed the account at 2:00PM. It was only the 11th. Of course, I hadn't received notification.

I even called Chex Systems to get information from them on when the postings happened, what to do and why BOA would have decided to close my account. The rep at Chex Systems was also shocked that they would do this a month after I had opened the account, but advised me that all I had to do was have my attorney give them the BK information and they would notate that on this and that they would be removed because of the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy (Bank of America denied that this would happen).

Because I was reported to Chex Systems, I shouldn't have been able to open an account in the first place. I am considered a risk to BOA. That's their prerogative, they can do that. However, I gave them all of this information while signing up for the account. Because of my bankruptcy, I requested information from Chex Systems weeks prior to opening my account. I had all of this with me when I went to open the account and was told by the rep that they would see if it would validate and I had no problem doing so. I was granted an account without any information of being reviewed or assessed at a later date. Let me reiterate, my account was closed for the same reason I shouldn't have been able to get one, being reported to Chex Systems.

So Tuesday the 15th, I arrived at the BOA location to withdraw the rest of my money and confirm the closing of the account. The teller advised me there was no money to return and that I was actually -$68.00. I said I want to talk to somebody about this. She said, "Okay, go have a seat and the bank representative would be with you shortly." 15 minutes later, yes, 15 minutes because no one was available, the same rep who opened my account marched her happy butt out to assist me and another customer that had been waiting longer than I. She advised me that there is no longer a hold on my account but that yes, I am -$68.00. I asked for a statement and asked why.

After reviewing the statement, it shows that BOA let a transaction be posted on 12/14/09 from eBay and one from Bentonville Copy and Ship, plus an additional $40.00 was charged to my account from BOA for Account Research Fees. I asked the rep again why they would have posted stuff so late (the BC&S) that was showing pending on 12/11/09 and the other transaction $35.00 from eBay when they told me it would be returned. Can you guess her answer? I don't know, you'll have to call this number.

I stormed out without a second glance to call the risk team again. Again, extremely unhelpful, telling me I should have left the money in the account and that I will be charged overdraft fees, that BOA can chose to close an account at any time and can charge whatever fees they seem necessary. He also kept acting like there was a bad connection saying "Hello? Hello? Are you still there?" every 10 seconds. Remember, I am on an iPhone, static is never a factor. He said I kept cutting out and I said it's because he keeps interrupting me. My response verbatim, "You're trying to squeeze every damn dollar out of me aren't you? You couldn't collect on an overdraft fee on the account because I have been an excellent customer so now you got to invent ways to make a profit. You will never see this money from me." His response? He hung up on me.

Take my story for what its worth. Along with these other tidbits. There is no free checking with BOA, unless you have direct deposit or a daily balance of more than $1,200, they will charge you $8.95 a month. This is the cheapest account they have. Others require a daily balance of $1,500 and still charge you $10.95 monthly for having an account with them.

Keep the change transfer - Great idea, round up everything in your check book and BOA automatically transfers change to your savings. Possibly accurate except I'm missing $25.00 from that.

Referrals - I used my friend Scott as a referral, filled everything out for him and I to get $25.00 referral fee. Neither one of us has seen that money.

Debit cards - Make sure they all work. I opened my account on 11/06 and had a temp card and 2 permanent cards (the final one still not working properly) since I had my account. All these issues with the security code, expiration date, etc. and nobody could tell me why.

Bailout - Bank of America didn't need the bailout but had to receive it. I don't believe they have spent their limit of $87 billion. But seeing as all fees are strictly profit to Bank of America, why would they? If I owe them, let's say $50.00 in fees and they have a million customers or ex-customers that owe them $50 for frivolous fees, that's $5,000,000,000 in profit for BOA (Bank of America made $2.4 billion in 2009 2nd quarter profit).

Newsworthy - According to **, they spent "$1.5 billion in lobbying, they were a recipient of $45 billion in taxpayer bailout money from the Federal Troubled Asset Relief Program and have worked to sway lawmakers on more than two dozen pieces of legislation in both the house and senate. The Charlotte, NC company wants flexibility on spending the bailout funds and also wants to fend off restrictions on executive compensation, home mortgage lending and credit card fees. The bank also is lobbying on a consumer rights bill, on student lending issues, on a bill that would've allowed bankruptcy judges to alter mortgages and on a proposed federal regulatory oversight agency."

I advise anyone who has an account with Bank of America to scrutinize every single detail. They'll stick it to you somehow if you're not careful and it may be when you're in desperate need of a reliable company dealing with your money. They'll take it in a heartbeat and will tell you they have the right to.

After being on hold for 10 min., a gentleman by the name of Jay answered my call and advised that our account was closed due to a returned check on my personal savings account. This account had no attachment to the account our debt card was linked to. However, since my social security was linked to all these accounts, 2 savings and a joint checking, all will be closed. He was extremely rude and treated me as if I were stupid and my money and being a customer didn't matter. I asked how I could receive the money that was in my now "closed" account and he said, "Well there isn't that much and I don't have that information available."

I could not accept this and asked to speak to a supervisor and he said that he would not transfer me as they cannot do anything for me and that I needed to accept my account is closed and I would have to call back on Monday to find out about my money. I asked if our conversation was being recorded and he said, "well, of course." So, I asked him to repeat that he was refusing to allow me to speak to a manager and/or supervisor and he said. "yes, I am refusing." I went on to say that I could not accept this and just say okay. However, there was nothing else he was willing to do for me.

The local branch could not assist me either. On Monday my fiance, Jess the additional holder on our joint checking account, called the Risk Management Dept. and spoke to a woman named Jessica. She advised Jess the same information about why our account was closed. He went on to ask how we could get our money and she said that the money will not be sent out until the 29th of December. He went on to say we have a daughter and bills to pay and now that our account is closed, the automatic bill pay will be returned and we will occur fees. He asked if B of A will be responsible for these fees and she said, "No, we are not responsible for any fee occurring due to the immediate closure of our account." He asked why we weren't informed prior to the closure and she said they didn't need to notify us prior. She was rude as well and very short with her answers and refused to answer most of the questions we had and ended up disconnecting the call before they were finished.

Now I am unable to pay my utility bills or buy food because they are being allowed to access these fees to my account. Ridiculous! My husband is unemployed and they are allowed to take money from us.

To top it off, I called their so-called customers service on December 11th, 2009 at 7:25PM and spoke to Jeff, who was actually very helpful in disclosing some of the BofA practices, mainly how the bank handles the charges. Jeff suggested that I call in the morning and speak to a supervisor who has the power to reverse these unfair charges. But he quickly added that most often than not, they will not do it because it takes away from the bank's overall profit. I called the next day, December 12, 20009 at 2:06PM, and a quick conversation with Chris proved that the bank is very adamant in its ways even if it is wrong.

As I asked for a full name and an employee ID, Chris simply retorted that they do not have an employee ID and he is not required to provide his full name to me. When I requested to speak to a supervisor, he quickly added another woman on the line. I then reiterated my desire to know who I am speaking with. I requested that she identify herself with her name and employee ID if she has one. But to my biggest surprise/disappointment, the lady flatly rejected my request by stating "I am not at liberty to provide that information to you."

Now, here is my question to anyone reading this note: what reputable company does that? What good company only employs people with one name? What honest company promotes or hires people with no names? What sincere company gets bailed out for reckless practices and tries to fix it with unfair practices? Can someone, anyone provide an answer? I need the charges to be reshuffled in the order received by the bank, no refunds necessary.

I find it disturbing that Bank of America treats their customers this way. How they manage to keep customers is mind boggling. When I went back to the same branch to speak with a representative, there was a gentleman complaining because he had one NSF and they closed it without notifying him. And I watched as the bank rep offered no apology and no explanation and printed out some forms and he was told to call the number probably the risk dept where he would get no answers. Bank of America is an evil corporation. I strongly advise to do research when consumers choose to open an account with a bank.

I contacted a representative of the bank and explained the situation. I was told that the bank had received a court order to seize the funds and I was given a contact number of the garnishee's representative. I explained that these were social security funds and that my mother depended on these funds. I contacted the garnishee's representative, a law firm. The law firm representative told me that they would release these funds once verified by the bank. The bank then told me they would remove the hold once verified by the attorney. I have been going back and forth and there has been no release of the funds. The bank also told me that anything that comes through the account will be charged bank fees against my mother's account. I have been told that these funds cannot be taken from my mother.

I must tell you that the garnishee is Bank of America and my mother's account is at Bank of America. Today, December 10, 2009, my mother's account is still on hold by the bank. I have called the bank and requested to speak to someone in the legal department on numerous occasions and have been told that Bank of America does not allow the consumer to speak to the legal department. I feel that this is an unscrupulous behavior by both Bank of America and Gamache & Myers against an elderly woman, who is on dialysis with congestive heart failure and early stage dementia. I have handled my mother's accounts since last year. I have power of attorney for her and I have given it to Bank of America in person and by fax on two separate occasions.

When I contacted Bank of America regarding this issue, my power of attorney could not be found by the bank. I feel that my mother is being mistreated and that the bank is holding her funds because they are in control of her account, which is not fair by any means. This is our complaint against Bank of America.

I have called the branch manager for the last four days and he will not return my calls. I have gone to a branch to try and get help, and all they tell me is it is their policy not to deposit checks unless the name is on the account. I said really, I have been doing this for five years and it has never been a problem until now. They told me, "Don't know what to tell you, but can't help you." Making matters worst, I made a deposit on the 8th before 2:00 with a check in my name in my account. They held the funds until today, returned two of the checks again and charged me another $70.00. They say it is their policy to hold deposits for 48 hours. So even the checks that I deposited that were in my name to cover the checks I had outstanding, they held on to and sent them back NSF.

Way to go Wachovia. You all have to be the richest bank in the world with a license to steal. So I have filed a complaint with the Federal Reserve and am waiting for a call back from a police officer to file a police report for grand larceny and fraud. As far as I am concerned, they stole my checks. They can't tell me where they are and they fraudulently stole money out of my account to cover NSF fees that I should not have been charged. Since the branch manager does not have time to call me back for four days, maybe he can take the time to talk to the police when they get there.

My last payment was November 5th although I returned my information within 30 days, although their communication states 45. There are more little things like not telling you which documents to send or any details which would minimize delays to the process. I am enrolled in the plus and deluxe program. If it seems like it may be worthwhile, please contact me. I don't care about any financial gain as much as I would love to see them penalized and forced to follow their contract. Thank you.

Then, one day he asked for certain things from different stores in town. We made a day of it. Even though he was still able to get around, he can't walk for very long so each time I went in to make a purchase for him, he stayed in the car. I gave him the receipts for him to put in his registry when we returned home. In total, I made 6 purchases for him that day using his debit card. A few days later, when checking our accounts, it showed where he was overdrawn prior to those purchases and each one had generated a $35 fee.

I called for an explanation as to why the purchases were allowed to go through if there were not sufficient funds to pay for them to begin with. I was told it was "a courtesy" extended by BOA to save me from embarrassment at a counter and to avoid a merchant fee for any returned checks. I pointed out that it didn't seem very courteous to do such a thing without any notification until after the fact and then to charge such a large amount, $35 for each one for a total of $210 in fees alone.

I must say that I know the branch manager at my bank's location because I had been working as a General Manager at one of the local restaurants that banked at BOA as well. I explained to her that neither I nor my father was ever aware of such a thing and that, for me, the best courtesy would be to stop the purchase beforehand in order to let the customer know there was a problem, maybe an error in the check book or a miscalculation somewhere. And as far as merchant fees are concerned, I wasn't writing checks; I was using a debit card. She agreed to remove the charges after an extended conversation on the insanity of such a policy, or at least the insanity of not bothering to clearly advertise such a policy.

I'm sure it's in the fine print somewhere but I believe she saw the truth in how this had happened and the seemingly underhanded nature of it. I asked to have the courtesy removed from our accounts so that no purchases will be allowed unless there is sufficient funds to pay for it. Part of the problems with our economic fall in the recent year is due to people spending money that don't really have to be spent and I do not want to contribute to that.

Since then, things have been a little shady. I saw a program recently on Frontline that talked about how these courtesies first came about (as a way for banks to offer "free checking" and still make money, more than they were making before). They spoke with someone who also mentioned that banks have computer programs that will move charges to an account around in order to justify a service fee. I'm here to tell you that it must be true.

Here's an example: I transferred money from one checking account to another and made a withdrawal of $80 that same day at the ATM. This would have left about $25 in the account. Dell Inc, of whom I was in dispute with and which BOA was notified that any electronic transactions from Dell were not authorized by me, tried to push a revolving payment through (Man, that's a whole other story!). The payment was for $50. Instead of refusing the transaction, BOA's computer program accepted the charge and then credited it to the account before the ATM withdrawal.

So when you look at it online, you see the Dell payment hit the balance, taking it down to $50 and then the ATM withdrawal for $80 putting me $30 overdrawn and generating a fee of $35. I ask you, have you ever been able to go to an ATM and withdraw more money than you have in your account? How is it that the $80 went through when, according to BOA, there was only a balance of $50? This time I received no satisfaction in the matter.

I then resolved that it was time to change banks. I have recently started a new job and plan to make the move to a different bank as soon as there are enough funds for me to have a substantial amount in a new account and close the BOA one. Yet, today, this very day, I find that I have to fight with them once more. You should know that things have been bad financially for about two months but are now looking up.

On 11/7/09, I had $1.01 in my account. I needed to purchase a few things so I transferred $16 from savings which was made available immediately for purchases. I checked my account again online to be sure I had the money and then made three small purchases totaling $13. This all occurred after 8 pm on the 7th. I made no purchases using my debit card on the 8th. Today, 11/9/09, I went to my account online and find that somehow, the monthly service fee was applied prior to these purchases, putting my account in negative standing after two of those purchases and apparently about to generate two more fees each totaling $35.

So on my first day off in over 7 days, I have to get up and go down to my bank to find out why and how this happened. Here's what I already knew to be true. Any service or monthly fee they place on your account cannot trigger a $35 fee. However, if they apply the service fee first then the purchases, they can generate the fee. My question for them was this: how in the world did those purchases go through if the money wasn't there? They had no answer for that but were quick to remove any service fees that may be triggered. I'm glad they made the correction quickly but it also confirms what I have been wondering for awhile. This isn't the first or second time they have run into customers who have had their accounts flipped around so as to generate a "courtesy" fee.

When I asked to see the written policy, the clerk said I could not have a copy of the written policy. I left upset. After picking my son up from school, I returned to the drive-thru. The same clerk returned the check to me and said my son had to sign the check since he was old enough to know how to write his name. I told her that she said I could have him with me and cash the check. She started to argue with me that she never said that. My son signed the check and received the money. I was able to contact the bank manager two days later. He agreed that it sounded as though it should have been an easy experience to cash the $25 check for my son. He did not actually know the policy and would have to look into the matter.

I received a call back 40 minutes later. He said the policy on third party checks is to verify that the check is not stolen or being fraudulently cashed. Technically, I am unable to cash a check for my minor son although for business reasons, he thinks I should be able to do so. He assured me that if I go to the branch where he spends the most time, I can have the check easily cashed. Really, I must change my normal routine, go out of my way to seek the bank manager out and then be able to cash my son's $25 check. My husband and I are our son's guardians and have legal power to set up money accounts, deposit and withdraw from them and enter into contracts on his behalf.

This third party policy is reasonable only when applied to adults. Our son is a minor with no legal authority. Our name and address are the same. We can provide documentation of our parentage. Why are we forced to accept a contrary and belligerent attitude from a bank teller when cashing a $25 check from his grandmother? I plan to open a checking account at another bank and transfer to it. This rudeness and frustration is not worth the long standing relationship we have had with this bank.

Another three and a half weeks have now gone by and now the department that is doing the loan no longer answers their phones. Instead, it now goes to a generic answering service who has no idea of when anything is going to be done.

I talked with Omar ** in Bank of America Payment Research Dept at 11:40 am today. We discussed overdraft fees that were submitted for reimbursement. Attached is a copy of other fees that came up related to the mortgage error submitted by fax a couple days ago. In total, we need to receive reimbursement for a total of nine $35 overdraft fees. In essence, this is a total of $315.

Note: 10/30 spoke to Doretha in Payment Research who asked for routing number and bank# to refund $350 back into account within 72 hrs.

On 11/6, there was no refund yet. I called and spoke to someone in Payment Research who told me that the refund was denied due to invalid routing number. I repeated routing number, and the rep stated this was not what the last rep recorded. She said if the request was approved, it would be a couple of days. She took down my cell number and email address for someone to follow-up.

On 11/12. I called again. According to the Yolanda, the rep, noted approval. Timeline is Dec. 7. Then, I asked her to please transfer me to a manager to escalate my account and refund. After being on hold for 15 to 20 minutes as she tried to get payment research, she was able to escalate this to a manager at the corporate office. She stated that the only reason it was held up was for an incorrect routing number. Now that they had the correct number, it should be processed asap per her manager.

On 11/23, there was no refund to the account. I called again. The rep saw where the supervisor was going to escalate and research the issue but there were no results yet. I talked to Jrchaetta in Payment Research who reviewed the case and would escalate for a paper check to be cut (9:05 am). She stated she would call me back to give me status of when check would be cut. She was aiming for the end of this week by FedEx.

On 11/24, there was no callback. At 12:43 pm, John, a rep would not transfer me to Payment Research Dept. He stated that a new policy was for reps to talk to supervisor regarding contact first. After doing so, he told me that the supervisor would get a message over to Jrchaetta to call me back today regarding issue.

On 12/2, I called was transferred to Steve in Customer Service. I explained the issue and expectation of FedExed check. He told me it was not possible to receive a check last week. He transferred me to Payment Research to reach a manager. I was routed into a call with another rep and another customer. I could hear them, but they couldn't hear me. I hung up and tried again. After 15 minutes, I finally got in touch with Payment Research again. The rep asked for my acct. #, verified last 4 digit of ss#, and placed me on hold. Again, I was routed to another rep with another customer. They couldn't hear me, but I could hear them. This is nerve-wracking. So, I'm going to report this to every bureau out there.

Because of my financial situation was really difficult lately, I wasn't able to pay my credit card bills in time. So, I contacted the customer service representative and she advised me to set up the minimum payment plan. I promised to pay every month as long as they don't close my credit cards. Now that my financial situation is somewhat better, I made $1,000 payment on my card, which left me to pay $500 more on my account. What was my surprise was when I learned that my credit card was closed without any notice. No letter, no phone call, nothing. I started to call the bank, got transferred literally 10 times, had to repeat my story over and over again, which was frustrating enough. In the middle of all that hustle, they hung up on me and I had to start all over again. No one could help me, so I decided to go to the bank personally.

I had to wait about half an hour to find out that they can't help me and the only thing they could do for me is to give me the phone number of customer service. After 2 hours of running around and being on the phone, they connected me to the credit company. The representative was extremely rude. He said that they decided to close both of my credit cards and when I asked what I can do, he said "Well what do you want to do?" I was so tired that I started to cry and said that it's not my fault that I didn't have any money to pay my bills. I explained to him that I was on the minimum payment plan and that as soon as my financial situation improved, I paid $1,000 on my account. He said that he couldn't help me.

I wish he wouldn't be so arrogant and at least give me some advice about my situation. Unfortunately, in my case, none of the representatives of Bank of America were willing to help me. They treated me like a criminal. I lost all my interest in dealing with them. None of their promises came true. They don't care if I have nothing to eat; they just want money.

My small business can't survive being treated like this. Is this legal? How long can they keep and use my money while charging me overdraft fees and extended overdrawn fees?

I accessed cash which overdrafted the account and also overdrafted my credit line on credit card in which the limit had just recently been reduced to a limit of $200 over what the balance was at the time. This caused overlimit fees to this particular account. Bank of America refuses to reimburse the fees for this entire chain of events. They say I had other choices. I could have called and asked them to transfer funds from my personal to my business account even though they are not tied to each other. Additionally and generally speaking, I believe that the way they list the order of transactions are in a strategic order that benefits the bank and causes more overdraft charges to be incurred. I am sure there are other bank customers who are noticing the same issues. I would like to find an attorney who is willing to investigate claims such as mine.

I was then instructed by my boss that his new card should be here at the office the next morning and to then to turn around and next ay air his new card to the hotel to his attention. So the next morning came and went and it was 12 pm before I really started to worry. I then called Bank of America and confirmed that the card was shipped and that everything was going as originally planned. I spoke with one representative that gave me a tracking number and said that everything looked good but for some reason, the tracking information was not appearing like it normally did and UPS should have been able to give me more accurate information.

At that point, I then hung up and called UPS who informed me that they have received notification to expect the package for shipment but nothing was actually shipped. Now, I was really upset that two different representatives had given us wrong information and I called Bank of America back again. I explained what had happened and was told by a supervisor that they were sorry but we were misinformed on two separate phone calls and the representatives would be coached. She went on to tell me it would be at least seven business days before the card actually ships and at that point, the card will come next day air.

What the real topper is to this whole scenario is that the supervisor was wrong also. I received the card the following day after I spent the previous night traveling 3 hours to bring my boss money for his stay at the hotel and eating expenses. Had any of the people I spoke with at Bank of America been accurate, it would have saved me six hours of drive time, fuel costs and my time and energy.

A few weeks ago, I got a call from my National Sales Manager who said he called B of A to check the available balance on his card and was told that they would be sending him a new card very soon because his current card had been "compromised" since there was an issue at one of the merchants he recently had used his card at. I then called in to Customer Service, waited on hold, verified all my account info, explained the situation and then got transferred to the Fraud Department to start all over again. I spoke with someone who told me not to worry about my salesman being out on the road and not being able to use his card and that his current card was active until November 22nd, 2009.

Today, November 19th, 2009, I received a call from my National Sales Manager who is based in Kansas (our company is based in PA). He is currently in Arizona demonstrating one of our machines to one of our distributors and his customer. Apparently he stopped to refuel his vehicle and got the a few bottles of water and his card was declined. How can that be considering I just ironed out this issue but 2 weeks earlier? I went through the entire process again and was told that they were sorry for the wrong information that was given to me but systematically there was nothing they could do to help me or the situation that my salesman was in. He went on to say that the card can still be used but that the transaction will have to be declined first and then the merchant will need to call in for approval. Oh yeah, and only select merchants have this capability. Okay, so now what? How does this look to our distributor and his customer?

So by that point I was fuming because we couldn't look less professional to our customers if we tried. I ask the supervisor that I was speaking with for an address to send a letter of complaint. He came back after leaving me on hold for a few minutes with an address in Newark, DE. I then asked him who they are governed by and his response is the FCC so I asked for their address as well. He put me back on hold a few minutes and came back and said he was mistaken and they are not governed by the FCC, that they are in fact governed by the Federal Government and he has no address or telephone number or any way for me to contact their governing organization.

This is unbelievable! This supervisor also assured me that the representative that gave me incorrect information would be coached and all I could do was laugh. I did tell him if they spent as much time training as they did coaching this issue and my previous issue could have been avoided.

On October 30th, I deposited over $300 in my account and on Nov. 2, the trumpet rental fee was cleared. So at no point did my account show I was negative funds because these transactions were still pending. When the fees were paid, there was enough money to cover everything. When I called Bank of America to complain about the fees, I was informed that because of the pending state of the transactions, I was overdrawn regardless of the fact that the money wasn't actually withdrawn from my account until two days later. To me this is stealing. When the funds were taken from my account, the money was there. Apparently, pending transactions are the same as cleared transactions. You must read the fine print!

So now I have a total of $70 in overdraft fees already taken from my account. I don't see how this can occur. How can a bank charge me overdraft fees two days before the funds are actually released? And why wasn't any of the charges denied since there wasn't enough money to cover everything? How can the banks get away with these crooked practices? Something has to be done. I don't know how this is legal, but I encourage everyone who reads this to stand up and let your voice be heard. This is wrong! They should not be able to assess overdraft fees until the day the money is paid out nor should they be allowed to accept charges on accounts that don't have sufficient funds to cover them.

America needs banking reform and we need it now. These institutions are running amok with very little regulations. Remember the mortgage crisis? People lost their homes left and right because of crooked banking practices. Congress is already cracking down on wrongful credit card fees, why stop there? We need to stand up and demand these banking practices be stopped!

I talked to people online and over the phone and in the bank trying to straighten this mess out. I deposited $75.00 and they refunded me $70.00. I asked the lady online what I needed to deposit so I would not be in overdraft. She said I needed to deposit $64.00, so I deposited $75.00. Sunday, I'm over-drafted again by $24.44. They had taken out another $35.00. So, I went in to the bank and deposited $50.00 and then went into where I bank at and wanted to know why another $35.00 was taken out. She said that it was 5 days over the overdraft limit and I did nothing about the overdrafts. I had talked to people over the phone and their supervisor; went online live chat. So, I think everything is taken care of from the 10-26-2009.

If they hadn't taken money out or made the mistake in the first place, I wouldn't have had any of these charges. She said it was partially my fault and I need to keep better records. How can they do this? It's so wrong. They are “rapings”. I told her that we have no money and so I know exactly the amount. She said I was responsible on writing everything down. How is that possible when they keep taking my money out? And then it shows up in 5 days and they're telling me I'm fine and so is my balance? They are almost fraudulent, deceiving and rude. They start from the smallest debit and start charging fees. I asked them for the time of debits and they won't give it. But they know exactly what time the large and recent debits are so they deduct them first which caused all of the $2.00 debits.

This is so wrong. They are robbing us. I'm not sure how many other times this has happened to us. Someone ought to make them have a time stamp of all transactions (hours and minutes). Then, there would be no debates on time of transactions. They should have never taken any money. They have refunded me most of the money; but I don't care if it's $5.00 or $35.00, it's still mine. But they refuse to because I was 5 days late even though I've been talking to people about the problems. It's not right. My husband called about foreclosure loan and the lady hung up on him telling him he didn't qualify.

First of all, it’s humiliating being told by them that it's my responsibility and were not being responsible; this is very stressful. Our work has been slow so every penny counts. I have lupus and chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia. This has been causing flare-ups, this is no exaggeration, and I have not been feeling well because of the stress of having to beg for my money back. It's taken me from the 10/26/2009 to today 11/16/2009 to get some of my money back, or most, from those dates. I've had a long fight. But boy, that is humiliating. I’m disgusted with the way Bank of America is raping us.

Few instances are as follows: Business Account - We get a check from our customer drawn on Bank of America account (customer also has account in BofA). My accountant goes to the branch and the branch puts a hold on the customer’s account as there is enough balance and we are told that since we have put a hold on the account, our check is guaranteed. After a few days, we received the same check back from the bank as unpaid. When I asked the branch manager, she says there is no guarantee even if the hold is placed and she cannot do anything about it. There is a discrepancy in what the branch manager has said and what the bank associate has told. It appears that they are not well trained and always give conflicting statements and the branch manager is unwilling to accept the mistake and say sorry (Bank of America, San Leandro Industrial Branch). Her tone was also very rude.

Personal Account - On Nov 10, 2009 (at 10 am), I went to the branch (San Leandro Industrial Branch) and closed two CD accounts and transferred the same to my checking account. I asked Sunita, a bank associate, if the funds are available right away. She said since it is a transfer from one account to another account, yes I can use the funds right away. So, I went back to my office and opened the cash maximizer savings account. I checked online to make sure that the funds are available and they were available. On Nov 11, 2009 in the morning, when I checked my online account, I was surprised to see that the transfer entry is missing from account and my balance has been shown as overdrawn because of transfer funds to new savings account. Please note there was no money transferred to my savings account and only hold was placed on my checking account which triggered the overdraft. Also somebody placed the hold on $90,000 (please note it is only a transfer from one account to another account). The bank was closed on Nov. 11, 2009.

On Nov. 12, 2009, I called the customer service and requested to fix the problem. They kept transferring me to the different departments and the problem was not resolved. So I went to the branch. This time, Ms. Gloria helped me. She was nice enough to call the CD department. As instructed by the CD department, she credited my account with the two CD amount interest up to 11/12/09 since the CD was not credited to my account on Nov. 10. On November 13th, I checked my online account. I was surprised to see the following: 1.) credit totaling to two CD amounts made on 11/12/09 was reversed; 2.) I was charged an overdraft fee of $3; 3.) I see credit of CD but with interest up to 11/10/2009; 4.) Hold on $90,000 since Nov. 10, 2009. This should have been transferred to saving cash maximizer account on 11/10/2009. (The hold is still there as on 11/13/09, 1:08pm). I called customer service. They told me that I need to go to the branch. I again went to the branch and Ms. Sunita came to help me.

Branch manager approached me and told me to talk to Ms. Gloria. She was nice enough to reverse the $35 overdraft fee. I requested that I should be credited with my two days interest on the CD. It was credited to my account on 11/12 and not 11/10. She went to the branch manager and returned to tell that as per branch manager, I am supposed to read the fine prints on the deposit slip which says funds are available subject to verification. Please note that on 11/10, Ms. Sunita informed me that funds are immediately available as this is only a transfer from one account to another account and that were actually available when I transferred the funds to saving account. This kind of answer is really irritating. Also, please note that it was only a clerical error on the part of the bank and not because the funds were being verified as the transfer was as good as cash. If it was really a case of verification, the CD department would not have instructed Gloria to transfer the funds again on 11/12/2009. Actually, the CD department could not trace the entry of 11/10/2009 as somebody in the branch forgot to post the entry on 11/10/2009. The bank needs to accept the mistake. I am told that the mistake is mine as I did not read the fine prints as the funds are available subject to verification.

Bank of America really needs to train the managers’ customer service and learn to accept the mistakes as they are representing Bank of America; otherwise, they will lose valuable customers. The branch manager should know that the money has been transferred from one BofA account to another BofA account which is like depositing cash. Also, she needs to learn to honor the words said by her associates and her subordinate staff rather than contradicting their statements. It gives us the feeling that the branch managers, the head of the branch, have no accounting sense and are untrained. Just for your information, 10 of the customers of mine who used to bank with Bo A have closed their accounts and moved to Wells Fargo because of poor customer service. Until now, there is still a hold on my $90,000 and I am losing interest on the same at the rate of $1.50 per cent. Also, it is our hard-earned money we put into the bank believing that the money is safe there. But the branch manager acts like as if that money belongs to them now and they can do whatever they want and make us beg for our own money. It appears that Bank of America has no training at place and they just make anybody the branch manager. Also, please note that I am a customer of Bank of America for more than 15 years but they do not care.

This doesn't even cover the overdraft fees. Considering that I was denied overdraft coverage 4 years ago and had closed our savings account in February, I couldn't for the life of me figure out why my card was never denied and I was able to incur so many fees. I do understand that keeping a balanced account is my responsibility, but I also find it hard to keep an accurate balance if my husband and I share the same account. I was advised to use all transactions as credit to give us a few days to recalibrate. The problem is, unless I checked on line every day, this still wasn't happening. I then spoke online with Adrian (my preferred method now as I have in writing what I am being told) and was told that I would have to turn my overdraft off and that it was on as a courtesy to me. When I asked how that could be, he said I should call the 1-800 number. The transaction fees this time was $140.

I called the number, but it was a week later as it was inconvenient for me to call before then. I called flying off the handle as my house payment was put in 4 days early and had 5 transactions in the red. I was informed there was nothing she could do. I told her not to tell me there was nothing she could do when the least she could’ve done was inform me that my overdraft had indeed been turned off instead of neglected through error. She confirmed this at this time. Amazingly, there were no fees. Then today I look on my account. No red transactions, but 3 overdraft fees? I made another online chat and this rep, Brady, informed me that my overdraft was not on and gave me the 1-800 number. After being told they had no record of my request and therefore the overdraft was not turned off, it would be an additional 5 days before they could “make it official” (another $140).

My gripe this time is that my hubbie used the card for a $2, $3, and $10 over the weekend and I paid my electric bill on Monday (credit card authorization only). I went to the check cashing place the following day as the 3 transactions had gone through and the electric was still “pending” and deposited cash to cover the difference. I can't understand how I have fees for the 3+1 and not just the one? I also asked why I should have fees period as I had asked 3 times 3 weeks in a row to have overdraft turned off. Anyhow, if you have any gripes with BOA, I would suggest online chats and then print or even a phone conversation recording device. They are very inconsistent with their practices and I have probably wasted a house payment on their fees this year alone.

Finally, one person told me that my wife had been offered a savings account that would automatically transfer $25/month from the primary checking account. I asked to speak to the person who authorized this change and they refused to give me a name or even put me through to that person. I wanted to get an answer as to why they canceled my overdraft protection when we signed up for a simple savings account. I do not understand what relation there is between an overdraft protection with a savings account. It was never explained to my wife and they said that they sent a letter of notification to our home, but we never received said letter. In lieu of this situation, I had to take out a loan of $5,000 with BofA just to cover penalty fees that they placed along with monthly bills.

Since that was 5 years ago, I asked for the information to be sent to me again. What I received was two lengthy pamphlets, in small print and could find no information in this as to a fee if direct deposit is not used. I again called the customer service and asked them where exactly I could find this information and was told that she did not know. I am going up to my branch and see if they can help clear this up. When I asked when I could expect the next $8 fee to be taken from me, I was told that the date changes every month and that I could figure it out by looking at my statements and could know about when it would come out. This is crazy. On top of them taking this fee without notifying me, if a check bounces (due to this fee) I am charged another $35.

I explained I no longer resided at that address and was unclear why that address was associated with my new account. No one was able to provide an answer but assured a new card would be mailed to my current address. I received the card, and after checking my account balance, I discovered the account has been compromised because the resident at that address activated the card, made withdrawals and purchases with the card. I went into the branch and spoke with another representative who was very rude and made what I felt were accusatory statements as to the events that occurred and that I was in some way at fault for the misuse of my card.

I went into the branch and was advised by a very nice young man that they had gone in while speaking with me and decided that they were not going to refund any of the fees. He could only assist me with two of the fees. He did and I was extremely thankful. I was advised that I could contact the Consumer Complaints department and perhaps file a complaint. Maybe, they would refund me something else. When I called, they advised me that since my account was not overdrawn, they would not do anything for me. I could feel free to file a complaint and they would write me. I have been waiting since then. I have since received two more fees. These fees consume more of my income than I can afford.

This bank was always very helpful while they received my direct deposits while I was working. Now, they charged me $8.50 per month even though I mail a large deposit for the same amount monthly. I paid extra to get this deposit to them, and they did not perform their service. I should be able to back charge them a fee. At the least, I would expect to get credited for my $17.60 expense, but in reality, I should be able to charge them for inadequate service. My family owns stock in this bank and this is the disgusting service you get.

They are just employees - I get it - but I don’t need advice from a girl that I would not even hire in my own business. I am all about business and less government and believe that people can make the change, but when all of these banks are doing the same thing the little guys has no chance. Write and complain. Or let’s figure out how to start a different type of banking system. I am tired of it and will be looking for a new bank (may have to go small to not be robbed - local banks, here I come) and all of my business and clients will not use Bank of America.

I admit and own the initial $35 overdraft fee, but it's this new extended overdrawn balance charge that I have a problem with. I contacted BofA at their 800 number twice regarding this issue and was told both times that they could not reverse the charge because it was corporate policy. The first time was shortly after the initial $35 overdraft fee on 10/06/09. This second time was today on 10/27/09 and I spoke to a supervisor named Brett. I received the same response today. I am outraged that banks are allowed to institute these random charges and fees at will without any oversight and it's the customers who are hurt the most while upper management of these banks just get richer and richer. It is completely unfair.

Before I enrolled on banking online, they used to take to take out of my account $20.00 maintenance fee when an account falls below a certain amount and by the time the monthly statement come out and I call them about the errors, they always give a bogus excuse. Last year, when the market was in a very down fall and money was taken out of my 401K (Hartford) account, I was able to get a 3.45 rate with BOA since I qualified to transfer funds to another institution. I had her to fax me the rates.

Hartford faxed me the forms the next day. Three days later I called back to BOA - what happened to their fax? No one knew anything about it, so I asked to speak to the manager, which was told he wasn't in. When I finally got to talk to the manager, he said he couldn't give me 3.45. When I told him I had a fax, he hesitated but asked me to fax it to him. Also, all forms had to be originals, which Hartford had told me that everything could be faxed to get me into BOA fast and originals could be forward later. It took BOA over a month to finalize everything, which still cost me over $7,000. When the statement came out, it had a much lower rate than the 3.45. I called back again and was still getting nastier attitude from the clerks.

Lately, BOA is taking a dollar out of my account whenever I use my ATM card. I have gone to the bank about this, which no one explain it legally. After questioning them, they say I need to talk to my on-line account agent, who then say go to the bank and talk to them in person. I have heard that this is the doing of the company that I made the purchases, that BOA hold on to this money for 3 business days to assure that I have funds to pay the company and then it falls off. When I question "falls off", they get a serious attitude and have had some of them to hang up on me. They say that if I don't understand, then they don't know whatever else to tell me. This debit is happening more and more, 2 or 3 times a month. The Reward Platinum-Plus Visa has a negative 01 and I have never used that card and didn't ask for it. So, now, am I going to get interest charge against me?

So, why don't I change banks? Each one of the accounts matures at a different time and I will still be penalized. And they know this and that's why they are treating me, the consumer, as such. Help. If I withdraw my account, I will lose a sizeable amount.

The woman I spoke with was the same woman I spoke with on Monday, and she put the request in for a refund. It took a few seconds and Bank of America sent a message back to her with a $49.00 refund. With the $49.00 refund, I was still being charged $206.00 total. I left the branch office and went back to work to call Bank of America and file a complaint. When I got a Bank of America Associate on the phone, she was very kind and helpful and found that I had the "Stuff Happens" overdraft fee “forgiveness” in my student checking account file. She credited back one of the overdraft fees which has now brought my fees to $171.00. I wish Bank of America could have given the "Stuff Happens" overdraft fee forgiveness to me for the original online transaction that started this whole mess, but they say that is not how it works. The way that transactions are charged to my account has been explained to me now, and I am willing to pay the $35.00 overdraft fee for the transaction via the internet that took place on 10/15/09, but I am not willing to give up and pay any more than that. These fees are extremely excessive considering my account never went under -$25.00. I will not be able to pay my student loans until next paycheck, which means my rent will be a week late as well. Basically, I lost most of a paycheck.

Well, that following Tuesday morning I checked my account balance online and found my account to be in the negative over $250.00, not including overdraft fees imposed that came the following Wednesday, and was charged over $350.00 putting my account into a negative (total negative balance of close to $600.00). I went in to see why this was and the explanation that I got was that a check that I wrote cleared first that Monday night and at the same time all the check card transactions posted. They said that no matter what they always process the largest item first. They are also telling me that they have to pay all card transactions no matter what because they are all ready authorized. So instead of sending the check back unpaid for NSF because I do not have any check guarantee or any accounts linked to checking to provide overdraft protection, they paid the check first before any already authorized transactions against the account that were already pending.

This is the second time in as many months this has happened. Last month, the same thing happened and it cost me over $300. I can’t understand why the check cleared before any already pending card transactions. The only explanation I get is that they clear any large transactions first before any large amounts first because they are usually a mortgage payment car payment and the customers have told them that they would rather have it that way. When I opened my accounts, I was not asked any thing of the sort nor was I ever notified in writing that this was going to be a standard processing policy. Now, this is the only account. The consequence, including both accounts, amount to a total of over $1,200, causing severe financial damage. I can’t afford to pay bills, buy food, or much of any thing else. I am employed and have been now for over 5 months.

I spoke in an online chat to "Christian" that same day. He told me that funds transferred between accounts would be made available same day, but would not post until the next business day. I took that to mean that the bookkeeping part of the transaction would be handled the next business day. He also said there were no fees assessed to my account. On October 21, a fee of $35.00 was charged to my account on October 20th.

I contacted "Desiree" online. Although I asked where my money went for three days, she didn't answer. She told me there was no "processing error" made on my account. As a courtesy, however, she did reverse the charges. Complaint: If BofA can backdate a debit transaction (which the tuition company did not process until next business day), why do they not back date a funds transfer? I had no access to these transferred funds from the account they came out of, but according to bank rules, neither did I have access to these funds before a new business day had passed.

Question: If I had physically entered a BofA office, gave them cash to put into my account, this deposit would not post until the next business day (according to bank rules). Yet, they can use this same cash in transactions to other customers, which results in free use of another people's money without recourse. They will go back and debit the account the same day as the transaction was made, but not credit the account until the next business day. Quite a nice arrangement there!

Two weeks later, I traveled to Arizona, and the same thing happens. I go into a bank that is close by and instead of helping me, she says that I just need to call the 800 number. I told her that there is no way to actually talk to a person, and she says that, "Oh just cheat, and press #00." How are their customers expected to know that? She said that the bank does this often, and that it is for the customer's protection. I don't see how this can be beneficial to customers, when no notification is given, and then when you try to get help from any local branch, they refuse to help you.

A month later, neither payment has been taken out. I called to ask why and was told I cannot access the account because it is in my dad's name. Keep in mind that I have been paying online with no problems for the past four years. When my parents called them up, they were told that they are not allowed to make a payment because they need authorization from me to take the funds out of my account.

So, we have to jump through several unnecessary hoops to resolve this issue after I have already supposedly paid. According to my Chase account, the money has been in my account and BoA never attempted to withdraw it. I have paid my bill but am dreading next month's ordeals. This is just the latest in a long series of bad experiences I have had with BoA. I have one year left on my car loan and I will never use them again!

Well, each transaction I had made, I followed up to make sure there was money available. One withdrawal took place in the amount of $20 from the Bank of America ATM. Prior to the withdrawal, I reviewed the balance which indicated that the funds were available. Needless to say, that transaction incurred a $35 NSF fee as well. I'm out of $175 due to the bank telling me the money was available but wasn't. Had the one check been returned, I guess I would have been without $35 instead of $175. This system in place does not work for the customer but profitable for the institution.

The next business day, I made another deposit, in addition to the transfers previously made on the 11th. Since I had been informed that my account was in good standing, I proceeded to use my available funds as I deemed reasonable. Much to my disappointment, I discovered a few days later that I did in fact receive a $35.00 NSF charge against my account. To make matters worse, Bank of America has decided recently to implement a policy that will deduct another separate $35.00 fee if funds are not made available within a specific deadline.

This required due date does not take into consideration any ongoing positive transactions history, such as automatic payroll deposits. I was never formally made aware of the revised overdraft payment terms by Bank of America and only learned about this over the phone while on hold for 30 minutes or more. The Bank of America representative only identified as Kirsten would not help resolve or offer any type of suggestion as to how Bank of America would assist a long-time customer with this unique situation.

I got my ATM card in the mail, and a few days later, I got a second card that turned out to be a credit card. I didn't realize that I had signed up for one. Apparently, that was my overdraft protection. Any overdraft would be charged to this card. I did not activate this card, and a few weeks later, a BOA rep called me, asking me to activate the card. I refused to activate it and assumed I would not have to worry about it. I'll get back to that later.

The next thing that I found out was that I was getting charged $2.00 for transfers from savings to checking. I had a few other minor issues, so I decided to close my accounts with them. I should have been more careful, but after I closed my account, an auto payment came in from the electric company. I had no account, therefore, no money to pay it. So, BOA charged to the credit card that I never activated.

I never found about this until several months later when I was checking my credit and found that I was over 120 days late. The electric bill was somewhere around $150, and BOA wanted over $600. I called BOA, and it was like talking to a wall. There was nothing they could do. They didn't believe that I had not activated my overdraft card. In order to clear my credit and stop the accruing penalties and interest, I had to pay them off. I paid them what they said I owed, and at the end of the month, I got another bill for a dollar and some change. Apparently, this was some sort of interest. I stormed down to the local branch and asked them what I needed to do to remove their fangs from my neck. They waived the fee. How nice of them!