Jim
Anaheim,#2Consumer Comment
Fri, December 07, 2007
and decide to open up another account, you might want to check and see how this new bank you're going to is going to treat you. You might want to do a search on it here - chances are your new bank will be worse. In fact, all banks are pretty bad, though some people are running to the bank you're having trouble with because many of their branches don't post debits in largest to smallest sequential order. So before you pull your money out, figure out where you're going to go to move your money FIRST. Instead of a bank, you may wish to find a credit union to put your money. Another thing that will help is to stop using your debit card for small purchases. If you use your debit card for small purchases under $10, you're just inviting the bank to charge you more in NSF fees. For example, if I have $40 in my account, I buy $50 in gas that I put on my debit card and pay $10 in cash for 2 different transaction elsewhere, yes I went over, and incurred a $35 NSF fee, which I am liable for. However, if I take the same scenario and put the 2 transactions totaling $10 on my debit card, my NSF fees are $105 and I gave the bank an additional $70. Yes, it means you have to carry more cash around. On the other hand, you then avoid giving the bank $70 simply by carrying cash. If you can't stop using your debit card for small transactions, then snip the card - just get rid of it. Finally, I don't know if you keep a written register of your transactions (a check register), but if you don't, I suggest you do. Stop relying on your online account to track your balance, because it isn't your balance. Your balance is what it says in your register and that is it. The only value in your online account is for you to track (1) any bank fees, and (2) fraudulent transactions. Best of luck to you.