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US BANK Unethical Fees Mill Creek Washington
Let me start off by saying, I would consider myself a person of reasonable intelligence but I really dont know how I could have avoided this situation. So let me start off by saying I ran into something that absolutely blew my mind.
I have a checking account with USBANK which I use for bill pay as I like their format and it is free. The account had been working out well for me.
On June 20th I made a deposit for a payment scheduled for the 19th. Normally I thought it would take a few days to go through so I wasnt worried about it and went on with life as my account was showing a positive balance and the teller told me it was good to go. I have also done this exact same thing before.
So next month rolls around and I check my balance to see what needs to be added for my bill pay and I find a -$253.50 balance. ($37.50 + 20some days negative balance fees at $8/day) In shock and disbelief I run down to the bank and ask them what is going on. They tell me there is nothing they can do so I call customer support. I talk to a manager who tells me there is nothing they can do since it is not bank error. In addition the account cannot be closed until the account is restored and the $8 a day fill will continue to accrue until I do so. Obviously I bend over and take it and plead with them to reverse at least some of the fees. I tell them this is unethical banking practice and that the fee penalty does not warrant the error but of course the bank would rather keep the money than give it away.
I always knew banks were greed mongers, but this seems borderline illegal. Researching this I have found other unethical banking practices. Legal limits should be imposed on banking institutions preying on unsuspecting victims. Obviously those accruing outrageous fees are the ones who can afford them the least. The only thing a person can do to fight back is to play by their rules and be more responsible. Debt and finance is a numbers game you cannot loseand believe me the odds are stacked against us. These companies have researched every possible method to squeeze every dime they can within the confines of the law. You will find these things buried in fine print somewhere and are not told to you up front.
BE CAREFUL EVERYONE! There is nothing you can do but play by their rules. The rich are married to politics and our political and financial society is set up so the rich get richer and poor get poorer.
Temps425
Mill Creek, Washington
U.S.A.
14 Updates & Rebuttals
Edgeman
Chico,California,
U.S.A.
Actually....
#15Consumer Comment
Wed, July 23, 2008
US Bank allows four transactions at an ATM on a different network without charging a fee. At least that's how it is on my checking account with them.
John
Califon,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
Funny
#15Consumer Comment
Wed, July 23, 2008
there are MILLIONS that don't pay any fees and many are paycheck to paycheck.
Temps425
Mill Creek,Washington,
U.S.A.
Balance Inquiry
#15Author of original report
Wed, July 23, 2008
Oh yeah, by the way, they also charge $1.50 for a balance inquiry from a different system. Probably more for a withdrawl. Takin' it to a NEW level with those fees guys! Congrats!
Temps425
Mill Creek,Washington,
U.S.A.
Indeed
#15Author of original report
Tue, July 22, 2008
I did practice irresponsible banking. Whatever, I'm not placing blame on anyone...just saying that the fees are unfair. BLA BLA ITSYOUR FAULT BLA BLA, yeah yeah i get it...its my fault. I signed the paperwork. Your right, and Im SURE its in some fine print somewhere. Of course I learned my lesson, set up my savings account to link, etc etc.
I'm trying to tell ppl to BE CAREFUL WITH BANKS. They are set up to suck every last dime out of those who are not so detail minded. Though I'm not rich, I am able to do business around the world, travel and get paid for it but can hardly balance a checkbook. I see big pictures and miss lots of details. The banks take advantage of that thinking. At least WAMU does a free OD refund a year and no $8 A DAY for owing someone $30. I thought Payday loans were bad!
"but there are limits on bank fees and those limits vary by state."
So is it necessary that the banks go to the state MAXIMUM? Do they have to take every penny they can legally take? How much do they NEED? Its corporate greed. I mean, in those terms, should gas prices continue to rise though gas companies have reached record profits?
I Am The Law:
A form letter for a generally unethical practice? Yeah, all who oppose that war in Iraq, just make a form letter. Dont like Hitler? Well so many Jews don't...why not make a form letter for everyone. Thats all anyone can do, right? Yeah...good input buddy. You havent made a mistake yet. Heres a cookie. Hope you continue your life of perfection...I think you're missing the point in that sense, however you are 100% correct about paying attention to detail when dealing with finances. I have my bank webpage as my homepage so I don't overlook it.
What was my final point in the thread? Simply to be careful; these types of companies are using unethical business practices. I personally believe its a rip off, so that's my 2 cents. OH i better be careful, if those 2 cents overdraft it'll cost me 38 bucks and $8/day! Buyer beware!
Props to RIPOFFREPORT.COM
THANKS FOR TAKING A STAND
Signed, EX US BANK CUSTOMER
I Am The Law
Cincinnati,Ohio,
U.S.A.
You kind of incriminated yourself.
#15Consumer Suggestion
Tue, July 15, 2008
You just said "On June 20th I made a deposit for a payment scheduled for the 19th." Um, so you wrote a check you didn't have money for and it cleared before you expected. How is US Bank is at fault? Plus when you said "Legal limits should be imposed on banking institutions preying on unsuspecting victims". That's a bit harsh (preying?), but there are limits on bank fees and those limits vary by state. The fees are disclosed to you upfront and the bank makes you sign a document stating that you have read and agree to the terms of account. What I see here is someone who tried to get away with floating a check and got burned. Accept the fee and learn a lesson.
Techfrmcape
Cape Girardeau,Missouri,
U.S.A.
Telling on "myself"
#15Consumer Suggestion
Sun, July 13, 2008
You no I first looked up US BANK to also put an report on here about what little I thought of this bank. But reading just half the first page made me change my mind on what I wrote.
Don't get me wrong I still hate this bank, but have no choice on using it. Because of my BAD DESICIONS that I have made in the past. I to have had numerous overdrafts and such, yes they were rude when I went in to resolve the matter and yes I paid them off.
Does not happen now though I check my acct. online sometimes three times a day. That is what it takes for me to stay ahead. I have been with this bank going on 6 yrs now, funny how it took almost 5yrs to figure out not to spend what I don't have. And it is still hard for me, especially now with gas and food prices going up and my pay checks are not!
Wish I was wrong about this, really sucks facing reallity....
I Am The Law
Cincinnati,Ohio,
U.S.A.
For these types of complaints...
#15Consumer Suggestion
Fri, July 11, 2008
For these types of complaints you could just use a template instead of typing everything out. Here's an example...."I bank at ______ and I overdrew my account by ______ on ______ and they assessed me _______ in fees. This is unethical and against the law and I want a class action lawsuit filed." People, people, people... what I'm trying to say here is pay attention to your availible balance and you won't have these problems. The bank tells you their fee schedule upfront (whether you read it or not is another story) and makes you sign off on it when you open the account. I have banked with US Bank for roughly five years and never paid them a dime other than ordering blank checks.
I Am The Law
Cincinnati,Ohio,
U.S.A.
For these types of complaints...
#15Consumer Suggestion
Fri, July 11, 2008
For these types of complaints you could just use a template instead of typing everything out. Here's an example...."I bank at ______ and I overdrew my account by ______ on ______ and they assessed me _______ in fees. This is unethical and against the law and I want a class action lawsuit filed." People, people, people... what I'm trying to say here is pay attention to your availible balance and you won't have these problems. The bank tells you their fee schedule upfront (whether you read it or not is another story) and makes you sign off on it when you open the account. I have banked with US Bank for roughly five years and never paid them a dime other than ordering blank checks.
I Am The Law
Cincinnati,Ohio,
U.S.A.
For these types of complaints...
#15Consumer Suggestion
Fri, July 11, 2008
For these types of complaints you could just use a template instead of typing everything out. Here's an example...."I bank at ______ and I overdrew my account by ______ on ______ and they assessed me _______ in fees. This is unethical and against the law and I want a class action lawsuit filed." People, people, people... what I'm trying to say here is pay attention to your availible balance and you won't have these problems. The bank tells you their fee schedule upfront (whether you read it or not is another story) and makes you sign off on it when you open the account. I have banked with US Bank for roughly five years and never paid them a dime other than ordering blank checks.
I Am The Law
Cincinnati,Ohio,
U.S.A.
For these types of complaints...
#15Consumer Suggestion
Fri, July 11, 2008
For these types of complaints you could just use a template instead of typing everything out. Here's an example...."I bank at ______ and I overdrew my account by ______ on ______ and they assessed me _______ in fees. This is unethical and against the law and I want a class action lawsuit filed." People, people, people... what I'm trying to say here is pay attention to your availible balance and you won't have these problems. The bank tells you their fee schedule upfront (whether you read it or not is another story) and makes you sign off on it when you open the account. I have banked with US Bank for roughly five years and never paid them a dime other than ordering blank checks.
Edgeman
Chico,California,
U.S.A.
Not in fine print
#15Consumer Comment
Mon, July 07, 2008
I have two accounts at US Bank and the $8/day OD fee is disclosed up front. It's in the blue envelope that they give for every new account and certainly not in fine print.
Edgeman
Chico,California,
U.S.A.
Not in fine print
#15Consumer Comment
Mon, July 07, 2008
I have two accounts at US Bank and the $8/day OD fee is disclosed up front. It's in the blue envelope that they give for every new account and certainly not in fine print.
Edgeman
Chico,California,
U.S.A.
Not in fine print
#15Consumer Comment
Mon, July 07, 2008
I have two accounts at US Bank and the $8/day OD fee is disclosed up front. It's in the blue envelope that they give for every new account and certainly not in fine print.
Nauthiz29
Springfield,Missouri,
U.S.A.
the error began...
#15Consumer Suggestion
Mon, July 07, 2008
...when you scheduled a payment to come out on the 19th, when you didn't have money in the account to pay for it. They either send the payment electronically, on that date, as they do in the case of my student loans. Or they send a cashier's check to arrive *on* that date. If that company takes that check to a US Bank to be cashed, the money comes out *on* that date. So, scheduling a bill payment and making your deposit a day late is, to be charitable, potentially risky.
Your error was compounded when you went for over three weeks without checking your balance. That's never a good idea.
You said "but I really don't know how I could have avoided this situation." Well, frankly, don't spend money that's not in your account yet, and don't be negligent in monitoring your finances.
Also, I'll never open up a checking account without some form of overdraft protection; I've saved myself hundreds of dollars in fees that way. That also would keep you from being in this situation.