- Report: #1220979
Complaint Review: Athens First Bank & Trust - Nationwide
-
Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Athens First Bank & Trust
Nationwide, USA
Web:
https://afbtbank.synovus.com/
Categories:
Business Rating:
(0)
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good?
Athens First Bank & Trust Synovus Bank Overdraft fee INSANITY! Athens, GA Nationwide
I usually maintain a fairly large balance, however this past month I did some pretty big traveling and in conjunction with a few larger purchases for work I managed to not only deplete the account but bring it into a negative balance. Which is 100% my fault. However, while on my travels my card was still working just like normal, and I am not one to check my account every day, so for every purchase after the balance was negative they hit me with a $36.00 fee.
I was traveling for 2 weeks.. I managed to rack up 14 fees for a total of $509. $509 in fees!!!! And not a single phone call from my banker or the bank themselves telling me what was going on. I called up customer care thinking surely this can be reversed in large part. After 3 days of phone calling and dealing with managers who need "time" to review my balance and account, they offered me 2 fees back. The kicker.. most of the overdrafts were less than $25 purchases, for meals and such.
I felt betrayed and ripped off as a long time customer and someone who has never ever had a problem with the bank. Granted I am not going to retire or go bankrupt off the $500 however, in principle I got a much better understanding of them as a bank.
Their system is old, their online portal is terrible compared to other banks and their support really let me down. Athens First you are terrible, and I am closing all of my accounts. And this goes without saying.. the Synovus stock I have had with you for 6 years.. selling that too. Probably will tell another 20 people how bad I think this bank is now. Note to business owners: Even when the customer is wrong, they deserved to be treated right. Otherwise you jeopardize your loyalty and bad reviews, which is exactly what happened here.
And of course after all 3 days on the phone.. the representative had the audacity to I hope you have a great day. Paige, (((REDACTED)))and Jason (((REDACTED))) are the ones who "helped" me.
Shame on you Synovus.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Jim
Florida,USA
Forget The Name
#2Consumer Comment
Mon, April 13, 2015
Anyone can call it anything they want but the smart thing to do is not pay them. You do this by keeping proper records with a running balance and only using the card when there's enough money in the account to handle it. Works every time!!!
Athens First Bank & Trust Synovus Bank
#3Author of original report
Wed, April 08, 2015
If you cant see what is wrong with a bank charging a $36 fee for something less than $36, then I really cant argue with you. Its not overdraft protection, its a raquet.
coast
Florida,USA
Not a rip-off
#4Consumer Comment
Wed, April 08, 2015
“I am not one to check my account every day”
All you need to do is look at the balance in your check register.
“I felt betrayed and ripped off…”
The overdrafts were totally your fault. You were not ripped off.
Jim
Other,USA
It IS TIME To Stop The "Insanity"!
#5Consumer Comment
Wed, April 08, 2015
You've made a really good case. Its YOUR account, its YOUR money. So one question: Why don't YOU know how much of YOUR money YOU have in YOUR account? Why? Because YOU don't keep a check register, an on going running balance and YOU choose to use the card without knowing how much money YOU have in YOUR account to cover the proposed use of the card. YOU expect this bank to tell you how much money you have. Why don't YOU know? Anytime somebody complains about overdraft fees, there's one and ONLY one cause...they don't have a clue what's in their account. Its not the bank's responsibility to baby sit you, me or any other account owner. The bank didn't overdraw your account, YOU did because you don't keep written records. It is definitely time to stop the insanity. You can do so at any time by keeping written records, maintaining an on going running balance and only spending what is in line with that on going running balance.
DISCLAIMER: Don't bother writing back claiming I must work for this bank, because I don't. Don't expect anyone with half a brain to tell you what you want to hear.
