Wachovia Bank I have asked them to stop but Wachovia Bank Purposely Overdraft My account so they can extort large Dollar amounts of Fees Brodheadville, Pennsylvania
I have seen reports over the years about how Wachovia bank takes advantage of human error and extorts hundreds of dollars from their customers.
I open my account many years ago with City Federal Savings & Loan Association which changed its name to City Federal Savings Bank where my mother worked for years and lost her $250,000.00 retirement fund when The Resolution Trust Corporation walked in and took over the bank in 1989.
The Resolution Trust Corporation put the Bank up for sale and was purchased by then First Fidelity which became First Union and finally Wachovia. I really never had any problems over the years, a few overdrafts here and there like most of us do it happens and the fees were low usually $8.00.
In the last year I have been struggling with a startup company mainly due to my health (I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, COPD and Cervical and Lumbar disk bulging which are pushing in on the spinal canal) and in the last few months I had asked Wachovia not to Honor any requests if there wasn't enough in the account so I could avoid the overdraft fees as I switch them over to my wife's account.
Well needless to say again they paid a ACH request and because I was $3.00 short they paid the request and charged me a $35.00 overdraft fee. I thought I had any ACH requests changed already over to my wifes account, but there was one left. I called Wachovia this morning and told them listen I am on a very limited income and I have asked you not to pay any request and you continue to pay them and charge me an Extortion fee of $35.00 for doing nothing and I can't afford it so please take it off and I will pay the $3.00 you paid out.
They refused to remove the Extortion fee for a $3.00 overdraft so I did deposit the $3.00 but I refuse to pay the Extortion fees they charge. I know they will report me to the credit companies but I just cannot afford to pay the fees. My poor wife has had to take over all the household expenses on her salary and that includes 100's of dollars a month in medications for me but these big banks do not care they just want their Extortion fees for doing nothing.
We have to take a stand sometimes and this is my time to do so, the practice of charging these Extortion Fees is unconstitutional and unethical IMHO and needs to be stopped but what is a small person like me supposed to do when a Giant like Wachovia prays on myself and others? Everytime they charge these Extortion Fees it takes money out of what little left my wife puts aside for food and we end up eating pasta all month because we find it on sale, what are we to do?
Scott
Effort, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Striderq
Columbia,South Carolina,
U.S.A.
A suggestion for future consideration...
#5UPDATE Employee
Sun, November 11, 2007
I'm sorry to hear that this happened to you. but I'd like to give some information that may help in a situation like this.
You can ask the bank (verbally or in writing) not to post something and unfortunately it will not work. However what can be done is a stop payment could be placed on the company's information to prevent them for debiting your account. the fee at Wachovia is $30 or $31 dollars (depending on type of account and where it was opened, check your schedule of fees and services you got when you opened the account) but it will keep the company from taking any ACH debits. If you place a stop payment request a confirmation letter to make sure that it has been placed.
Again I'm sorry to hear that this happened to you. I wish you well medically & in your business.
Jim
Anaheim,California,
U.S.A.
Another Problem
#5Consumer Comment
Wed, November 07, 2007
If you don't pay the $35.00, the bank is going to put a nice black mark on your credit report. Now, if you aren't going to be in need of a loan anytime soon, another place to live, or need to apply for credit anywhere.... there is no harm in not paying the fee for now. Given your medical situation, that might not be a luxury you can afford. I will tell you paying the $35.00 is cheap if your credit report prevents you from obtaining a loan at an affordable rate, credit with an APR of less than 30%, or a place to live. You don't need that sort of albatross around your neck for something as silly as a $35.00 fee. I understand there is a principle involved; I guess my concern would be how much following this principle is going to harm you.
Best of luck to you.
Scott
Effort,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
RE: Problem
#5Author of original report
Wed, November 07, 2007
Now there is a problem with your rebuttal, my wife has driven me (due to the MS my eyes are blurry and I gave my my license) to the bank 3 times and we talked to a human and told them not to honor any ACH requests and the guy typed something into the computer and I thought I was covered.
Well every month since they do the samething, hit me with an overdraft charge. I have paid them the 3.00 they layed out and as far as I am concerned the account is closed.
I have already found another bank, they are a local bank so the fees are much more resonable and they are not trying to Extort money!
Jim
Anaheim,California,
U.S.A.
Problem
#5Consumer Comment
Tue, November 06, 2007
The problem is that you missed an ACH by your own admission. The bank paid the ACH per your written instructions. Asking them not to pay overdrafts doesn't cut it; this is a bank and writing is key. What you needed to do was go to in person and put this into writing for the bank so if they screwed up (as they tend to do), you have it in writing. What you have is a phone conversation and when it comes to protecting your money, you don't want a he said/she said situation. You need to have the arrangement in writing. I would pay the $35.00 and close the account.
After you close the account, find yourself a Credit Union. You will be treated a bit better and the OD fees are not charged as often.