Complaint Review: RBC Centura Bank

I am filing this complaint due to the unscrupulous overdraft fees assessed by RBC Bank.  I have been a customer of RBC Centura bank for over ten years.  During that time, I have never over drafted my credit line and have had a paycheck directly deposited to my checking account every two weeks without exception. 

During the month September, I mistakenly overdrew my checking account credit line $185.00. RBC Centura assessed over $800.00 dollars in fees for the 185.00 overdraft. While having well over that amount in my savings to cover the overdraft (other banks take funds from savings to prevent the overdraft fees), RBC Centura would not allow those funds to be used to prevent fees assessed for overdraft. 

Over fifteen transactions were allowed to go through when my credit line was at its limit.  Almost all transactions were completed using my check/debit card with none more than $40.00 and some as low as $2.00.  I was charged $41.00 for each transaction regardless of overdraft cost. 

I was completely unaware of the overdraft for over four days and only then found out when I accessed my online account to review my checking account balance.  RBC Centura has multiple ways to contact me including home phone, cell phone, work phone, email, and postal service.  They choose the postal service to maximize their ability to assess excessive fees.   I did not receive notification from RBC Centura for over seven days after the first overdraft.

Why was my card still working when my credit line had been maxed out?  Any VISA or Master Card will deny a transaction when the limit has been reached.  Once I realized the situation, I drove immediately to the branch I bank at to meet with an RBC representative.  When asked about how they could in good conscience charge such excessive fees when payment was available in savings and direct deposit schedule was next day, I was told they did me a courtesy. That courtesy allowed me to pay $43.00 for a diet coke.

During my meeting with the branch manager, Mrs. Gonzalez. I requested a reduction in fees.  She told me that she could not authorize the fee reduction but had to contact the branch were I opened the account to talk with their manager.   I havent stepped foot in that location or lived in that area (Winston Salem) for over 8 years.  She told me she would contact me after their discussion.  Obviously, that was her way of getting me to leave so she didnt have to deal with me face to face.

I understand a fee should be assessed if you bounce a check and even in this case too. Heck charge me 100% of the overdraft amount. I accept responsibility, but not $800.00 dollars worth.  I dont understand why my VISA debit card continued to allow transactions to go through when funds were not available for over four days. Its not like I was writing checks and needed time for them to clear.  I asked the manager why my card was working and she said she did not know but thought there was a delay on denying transactions.  Funny, there was no delay on assessing fees and funneling money into my account. I cannot believe that RBC knew within hours when I had over drafted my credit limit on the first transaction (as detailed in my online statement), but choose not to contact me for seven days.

To add insult to injury, I have been contacted by RBC through the mail twice and by phone as well to let me know my credit limit has been tripled.  Tripled from $3,000 to $9,000.  They will allow me to have a $9,000 credit limit but cant allow $180 overdraft without assessing over $800 in fees.  That just proves how they are going to stick it to their customers when given the chance.  I have since paid off my credit line and am in the process of talking with other banks to open my new checking account.   I understand that the US Congress is currently looking into excessive overdraft fees and will be filing my complaint with them next.