Complaint Review: TCF Bank

I was being charged for online banking fees that I had tried to cancel at an earlier time. When I called to cancel again, I was told by Hattie on 6/14/04, that TCF would reverse two months and cancel the online banking fee option.

I needed to close my account due to the fact that I moved out of state and I did so. I received my check of my final balance and it was less than I had expected. Not only did I not get reembursed as I was promised that I would be, but I was charged AGAIN. When I called to try to remedy the problem and get my money back, they first refused to put me in contact with a customer service manager.

I called back yet again on 6/13/04. The customer service agent, Natasha was unable to have a conversation with me and kept repeating the same sentence louder and louder. She finally took my number for a "manager" to return my call.

When this manager returned my call, she did not even begin the call politley and continued to repeat the same sentence (apparently this is TCF's customer service training focus).

This "manager" continued to interrupt me as I spoke and refused to offer any suggestions other than that I could fly back to IL, re-open my account (which would involve giving this dreadful institution more of my money) and then they would "see" if they could then deal with the situation.

During our conversation clearly contradicted herself when she told me "You should have found out what your final balance was going to be before closing your account." When I told her that I did when I was told that the fees would be reversed, she then stated "There is no way to find a final balance on an account until after it's closed." She literally gave me BOTH of these statements as excuses why she would not help me now that the account is officially closed. When I asked her how both of these statements could possibly be accurate she raised her voice again and said only "Do you understand that you will not be getting any of your money back?"

Every customer service representative that I spoke with at TCF was rude from the beginning of the calls to the end. They consistantly refused to work with me or discuss with me the situation. Three of them ended up raising their voice at me while I honestly remained calm, and had to ask not to be spoken to in such a tone.

Even the branch manager where I had my account was rude and unprofessional. I sent a notarized letter asking to close my account and didn't receive my money for some time. I called the branch in Lemont, IL and Linda the branch manager told me "Oh yeah, the check was mailed a few days ago." Over one week later I received the check that was dated the day AFTER I spoke with the branch manager. Thank goodness I called or I would not have receieved MY money!

I strongly advise everyone against using TCF bank, despite the convenience that it may provide. If you should ever need customer service, or if a problem should ever arise, you will NOT receive professional or courteous help from TCF Bank. It is our money but apparently TCF will do everything they can to keep any amount that they can get, even if it's small fee by small fee. For those who intend to close TCF accounts (which I strongly encourage)- be sure that you get statements for a several months prior to closing without any changes to your account that consistantly reflect exactly what you expect it to reflect.

Thank you and Best wishes.

Gina
San Francisco, California
U.S.A.