BB&T ripoff Dishonest FRAUD Louisville Kentucky
When I moved from South Carolina to take a new job in Kentucky, I looked for a branch of my Credit union. With none here, I opened up a new account with BB&T in Louisville, KY. They were extremely friendly, extremely helpful and treated me VERY well.
I was impressed and from that, deducted that they were a great place to bank. Boy, was I ever wrong! they called and told me to come by and pick up the new checks they ordered for me when I opened my account. when I got there that afternoon, they said they were "lost" and had to order them again.
Everything went fine for about 2 months. Other than the Checks they lost. Seeing that my Direct deposits were flagged as "available" on Wednesday morning, I verified that the funds were indeed available. I was told that yes, the Deposit is pending on Tuesday, and is credited to the account at 12am Wed Morning, and indeed the funds are available for use at that time.
As I transferred all of my direct deposit to BB&T instead of a small part of it (Due to my family finally getting moved up here with me), I started seeing problems. My wife and I would typically fill our gas tanks on Wed Mornings, about 50 bucks each. With plenty of money in the account (Direct deposit of 1500.00 to 2000.00 depending on whether I put in overtime the week before or not) I started seeing NSF fee's.
Along with the NSF fee's, right next to them on the statement was "Overdraft Charge", which was in the same amount as the NSF fee charged. I looked over their fee schedule and terms, and only saw that NSF charges were 34 dollars for each item. it also stated that if an item was presented with Insufficient funds in the account, and I had overdraft protection, either as a line of credit, or as a savings account, there would be no NSF charge nor an overdraft charge for the item.
It also stated that if the Overdraft account was a savings account, as long as a minimum of 300 dollars was kept in the account, there would be no service fee for the overdraft protection. In light of this, I contacted the branch Manager, Meijil. I explained what I was seeing, and asked how a charge of 50 bucks could be considered as NSF when there was over 2K in the account.
She pulled up my account, said that was strange, and immediately credited back the NSF and Overdraft charges, apologized and wished me a good day. I decided at that time to also open a savings account for Overdraft, just in case the checking ever got low. I opened it with $500.00.
Several weeks later, after paying deposits for the house, utilities, a massive amount of groceries etc, the checking account was down to about 100 dollars. Wed Morning, my Direct deposit was there, all available when I checked it at 7am before work. Filled up my tank (over 60 bucks) went to work, bought lunch for around 10 bucks, the wife filled her car for about 40 bucks, then did the weekly grocery shopping (about 200 bucks).
On friday, in the mail, I receive an NSF notice in the mail showing 5 NSF "items" nailed at 34 bucks each, that presented on Wednesday (All Check card purchases). I get online and check my account, and not only are there 5 NSF charges, but again there are 5 Overdraft charges for 34 dollars each, and my Savings/overdraft account is untouched at 500 dollars.
I again contact Meijil, the branch manager, she looks over the account, and in a semi-rude manner, tells me that my Direct Deposit "may come in Tuesday, but we don't make it available or post it until Thursday". I reminded her of our earlier conversation where she told me that it showed pending Tues and was available on Wed. She then told me thay "had the discretion to decide when a deposit posts or not". I then asked why the funds were not taken from the Overdraft savings She had opened for me several weeks earlier. She again looked up more info on the account, apologized, reversed the charges and said it appeared she had forgotten to "link" the 2 accounts.
Several days later, the NSF and Overdraft charges were taken BACK out of the account, and for the last several weeks, even with PLENTY of funds in the account, EVERY Check or debit card purchase that hits, regardless of the day it hits is being nailed with an NSF and Overdraft charge.
I have tried to contact their corporate offices, and they have not responded to my calls or emails. I have taken it upon myself to open a new account elsewhere and am transitioning my Direct deposit over to it, But BB&T has illegally taken over 1200.00 in NSF and Overdraft charges from my account in the last 2 weeks! My account finally hit negative 13.64 yesterday. I have taken money out of the savings and MANUALLY transferred it to checking to try and get them to stop with the charges, but that hasn't worked either.
I am at the point of filing a lawsuit against BB&T for fraud. My suspicion is that Meijil doesn't feel she is paid enough, so she skims people's accounts by charging multiple, unnecessary fee's. I am also looking to try and find out if there is a federal bureau I can go to with my complaint to have these fraudulent practices stopped and get my Charges refunded.
Stay as FAR AWAY from BB&T as possible. They are CRIMINALS!
David
Sellersburg, Indiana
U.S.A.
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11 Updates & Rebuttals
Doris
Mt Washington,Kentucky,
U.S.A.
Same Story
#12Consumer Comment
Mon, January 22, 2007
Same thing happened to me at least twice at BB&T in Louisville. I am with (((competitor's name redacted))) now and they are WONDERFUL!
sorry, allowing you to give a competitors name would instigate others to just file against their competition, to only come back later to suggest their company your comments on this policy are welcome! CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
Jane
Chicago,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Take your money out anyway
#12Consumer Comment
Mon, August 28, 2006
There are too many banks in town for you to have to deal with that crap! the credit unions are AWESOME and have a much more consumer friendly policy. I would not bank with ThAT bank if they gave me FREE MONEY!
I am glad to read that you did follow thru with your complaint.
Kudos to you!
David
Sellersburg,Indiana,
U.S.A.
BB&T Comes clean
#12Author of original report
Thu, May 04, 2006
Spoke with a regional manager after the FDIC contacted him about my issue. He contacted the branch and spoke with Meijil, the manager and they went over my account... He then called me, asked me to explain to him what happened (even though he had it in his report from the FDIC) and I did. I also had taken my bank statement and removed any NSF/Overdraft charges they hit me with on the day I was told by Meijil that my funds were available...
Also, the one time I really WAS overdrawn (And had 300 bucks in an overdraft savings account that they never pulled funds from to cover the charge of 50 bucks), I removed that charge and added in the funds they would have pulled from my OD account... The account was NEVER overdrawn beyond that first point... Jerome, the Regional Manager then went into my account and reversed approximately 1500.00 in NSF/Overdraft charges and told me to call him direct if I ever had any problems with my account... He also told me he would "Deal With Meijil".
He has since followed up with me asking if I have had any further issues and again apologized.
M
Woodbridge,Virginia,
U.S.A.
Sorry but BB&T cannot continue to make excuses
#12Consumer Comment
Fri, April 14, 2006
I'm sorry but since I've been with my new bank I have had not one problem. My paycheck are sent to the bank on Wednesday and funds available for use by Thursday AM. They were never available like that with BB&T. I've talked with several people banking with different banks in the area and the ones with BB&T are closing there accounts for the exact same reasons. They hold checks which other banks don't hold etc. Plus, when I used my debit card the transaction is posted the next day.
With BB&T it would take as long as 6 -- 6 days to post to my account. Come on BB&T get up to speed. Plus, I can count on when I drop a deposit off to be credited that day. Unlike BB&T that goes and checks the machine before the 8:30am deadline and then claims you are lying when you say you dropped off a deposit before 8:30am.
Sorry but BB&T is a lousy excuse for a bank and I have contacted the FDIC in hopes they can bring the bank down and maybe we can file a class action suit for inproper operating of a business and applying outrageous fees. I just want to know what BB&T is funding with all these fees. Suggestions have been made to me and sorry I don't care to support those organizations.
Ken
Randolph,Massachusetts,
U.S.A.
Seems like you have your ducks in a row...
#12Consumer Comment
Wed, April 12, 2006
I would take all my paperwork into the branch, and demand (politely) to sit with the manager. Show the paystubs and your statements and point out where they failed to credit you in a timely manner (as required by law). Realistically, if you do this, they have no choice but to make you whole.
Ahead of time, get the address and number of your state's banking commissioner. Call them and get a live person, and ask that person what the process is for filing a complaint. You don't need to go into any detail at that point. Then, if you need to, when talking to the manager you drop the statement "I have already spoken with Betty Smith in the banking commissioner's office about filing a complaint in this matter". Completely true, and a real attention-getter.
Everyone should remember that debit transactions do not necessarily hit your account immediately, nor are they necessarily verified against your available funds. This is just how that system works. What is confusing is that soometimes they do hit right away, but then that (pre)transaction is dropped until the real transaction comes in from the merchant, causing your balance to yo-yo.
David
Sellersburg,Indiana,
U.S.A.
Response to Ken
#12Author of original report
Tue, April 11, 2006
Hi Ken,
I apologize for not being clearer in my descriptions... WHen I say charges coming through on Wednesday or Thursday (And sometimes Friday) I mean charges I make with my Debit card on those days... Usually Wed. Morning I fill up with gas on my way either into or home from the office... If I use my Debit card to buy my lunch, or take cash out of an ATM, and also any checks that present to the bank on those days as well... I have reviewed the last 3 months of paystubs and they are dated for the Monday of the week, but payable date is Wed of the week... and that confirms what the branch manager also told me about my funds being available as of Wed Morning...
Besides, if the account was overdrawn, why would I be able to take cash out of the ATM, or have a purchase approved at a P.O.S in a store? My debit card isn't a credit card... and still, to this date, they haven't tried to touch the funds in my overdraft savings... Other than filing the complaints, I have also opened an account at another bank, and as soon as all outstanding charges come thru BB&T, the account will be permanently closed.
Ken
Randolph,Massachusetts,
U.S.A.
Question for David
#12Consumer Comment
Tue, April 11, 2006
Can you clarify what you mean when you say "transactions that arrive on Wednesday or Thursday" ? When did you actually perform the debits? That makes a big difference here.
One other consideration... when you look at your pay stub, what does it give for a pay date? If, for instance it has a pay date of Thursday, commonly the bank recieves the transmission on Tuesday, but won't post until the actual date specified. Other banks, in order to not have to track all that, will post when they recieve the transmission. There are pros and cons either way, but the date on your pay stub is when the funds should be in your account, and available. If this isn't happening, I'd contact your state banking commission, that'll get their attention!
David
Sellersburg,Indiana,
U.S.A.
A true BB&T employee...
#12Author of original report
Tue, April 11, 2006
Mr. Johnson,
You sound like a true blue BB&T employee, blaming the world instead of taking responsibility for your companies fraudulent actions!
I take my check book and bank balances very seriously and DAILY I balance the checkbook and update Microsoft Money from there... Once a week I download my online statement and reconcile that against MS money AND my checkbook. If you'd actually read my complaint, you will see that it's not a "payday loan scheme", but FRAUD by BB&T to violate their own written policies in an effort to MILK the customer out of money. BB&T has told me OVER and OVER, while looking at my account, that my Direct deposit comes in Tuesday, and is AVAILABLE wednesday... However, in direct contradiction to their own statements, any Debit card charges or checks that arrive Wed or Thurs (And sometimes even Friday!!!) are paid, yet hit with not only a 34.00 NSF fee, but also a 34.00 OVERDRAFT fee... On top of that, we have a savings/overdraft account we opened with $500.00 in it! Not once has BB&T touched that account EVEN for a $2.97 check that arrived!!!!!
At one point the branch manager even told me she messed up and "forgot to link the 2 accounts", but supposedly 'fixed' that... She also only refunded HALF the charges incurred by HER admitted MISTAKE...
If I have a direct deposit of 2000.00 go in on Tuesday and am told it is available first thing Wednesday Morning, then I have a right to use my debit card against my AVAILABLE BALANCE starting Wednesday Morning...
You are obviously a clueless troll sent here by BB&T to try and discredit anyone that isn't afraid to call your bank the fraud it is.
But don't worry. I have since filed a complaint with the FDIC, they have contacted me and I have sent them copies of my bank statements etc, so they have the evidence in hand. I have also filed a complaint with the North Carolina Commisioner of Banks and sent them the evidence as well. I suggest you hurry and skim a few more accounts while you can, because you will be paying the piper very soon!
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
Mr.jones
Forest City,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
still dont get it....
#12Consumer Comment
Tue, April 11, 2006
Sounds though some of you should do this.
Keep your checking or savings open, on payday, take your check and cash it, put the cash in your hand, keep it in your hand so you'll know exactly how much you have to spend at all times. And quit using debit cards and checks as a payday loan.
Lisa
Roanoke,Virginia,
U.S.A.
I'VE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS
#12Consumer Comment
Mon, April 10, 2006
SEEMS LIKE WITH COMPUTERS IT WOULD MAKE THINGS FASTER TO POST THAN THE OLD FASHIONED WAY WHEN PEOPLE ACTUALLY HAD TO POST FROM LEDGERS ETC. AND DO YOU KNOW UP HERE IN VA. IF YOU GO OVER A WEEK WITH A NEG. BALANCE THEY ADD $30.00 MORE TO IT??I HATE BB&T. LET ME KNOW I'LL SIGN A PETITION. GOOD LUCK!:)
M
Woodbridge,Virginia,
U.S.A.
Right On
#12Consumer Comment
Thu, April 06, 2006
Just wanted to say -- you are so right about BB&T -- I plan to contact the FDIC -- I want an investigation done -- I would like to know what they are doing with all these fees they are collecting illegal -- funding something overseas perhaps -- maybe we can get a class action suit going