Complaint Review: Bank of America

 As a college student, working part time, I accompanied a classmate to the BoA branch in Valdosta, Ga. While there I was solicited to open a "free" students checking account. I politely declined and informed the clerk that I had been the victim of identity theft and it was nearly impossible to get approved for a checking account because of this. I was handed some literature and she continued to solicit me to open an account. I would only need 25$ to open the account. After what seemed like an eternity, I reluctantly gave her my information, and a 100$ bill. Within minutes I was handed a few counter checks, had my picture for my debit card taken, and we were on our way. Over the next week I wrote 3 checks, 2 for gas, and one for food. My debit card arrived. I called to activate it and was told it could not be activated due to my account being CLOSED!!! I immediately returned to the branch where I opened the account, after being given the run around I demanded to speak with the branch manager so I could get an explanation. I was informed that upon opening the account, a credit check was done afterwards, due to the identity theft issue, I was note eligible for an account. There was a 60$ charge to the account, which immediately caused the 3 checks I had written to be returned. There was 3 NSF charges, which brought the account to -50.00. Then she had the nerve to ask if I was prepared to bring the account to a zero balance? I told her to pay it, I wasn't. I ended up paying 95$ plus the value of the checks at the businesses where I wrote them. It should be illegal for them to run a credit check without my knowledge, then charge me for it, again, without my knowledge, especially when she was informed of the situation prior to opening the account. I will never do any kind of business with BoA or its affiliates, nor would I recommend them to anyone.