Complaint Review: Bank of America

Bank of America just suspended my ATM card for the second time in a month, for "unusual activity." This time it was a $200 purchase for medicine, ten miles from my residence and the mailing address for the card. They notified me by email. Before that, it was a single tank of gas 200 miles from my home while on a short vacation. There is no way to turn off this "feature."

If I were on vacation, I might not have access to email. I take vacations to get away from email! In that case, I could easily end up stranded without cash.

Recently, my BofA-issued credit card has been declined for unexplained reasons. Probably the same thing is going on, though in this case, they did not even bother to notify me.

I have recently learned that Bank of America expects me to notify them if I am going to be traveling and using my ATM or BofA issued credit card. I don't recall being notified about this.

At first, this seemed insane. I now realize the system is not intended to protect me. It protects the bank from losses incurred when they honor charges made on lost and stolen cards.

Part of the problem is that I normally use cash for small purchases. Apparently, I should use my ATM and credit cards more often, to avoid suspension for "unusual" charges. So, this is also a thinly-veiled incentive to use my card more often, which of course produces revenue for the Bank of America.

I am disgusted.