Complaint Review: BB&T.com - Winston-Salem North Carolina

1. Banks USED TO cut off your card if the funds weren't available. This didn't always work (for example, gas charges only initially authorize $1, so if you had $5 available, you could still potentially pump $50 worth of gas without being declined), but it made it a lot more difficult for a bank to assess multiple overdrafts. Now they'll only decline a debit card authorization if your account balance is already in the negative $100s. Credit cards still decline card charges if the funds aren't available, and I'm sure some smaller banks do as well. BB&T and other large banks claim that they're doing you a favor by allowing the transaction to go through, but in the end, it's just more advantageous for them because they can charge you and blame it on your "irresponsibility." They don't give you a choice. Most customers would prefer to have their card declined than to literally hand over a small fortune to the bank for these fees, but aren't given the option. I feel like this changed about five years ago for most banks, and laws NEED to be passed to stop it-- it's practically criminal for banks to get away with this. 2. Other banks I've worked with are much more willing to negotiate fees. Even if you've been with them a long time, if you have had one fee overdrafted previously at any point (even years before), BB&T will not grant a refund. they don't care about your business enough to give you a "courtesy" refund. It doesn't matter what the circumstances of the mistake that caused the overdraft, and it doesn't matter what your financial situation is like. It doesn't even matter how many overdrafts there were -- for example, it's not difficult to have HUNDREDS of dollars in fees for one overdraft instance. You'd think they'd have the decency to credit back 1 fee, for loyalty's sake, but they'd rather have you close your account. My advice to the poster- Start using a credit card for most of your transactions. Credit card companies cut off your card when you reach the credit limit instead of allowing it to go through so that they can conveniently charge you. Even if you go somehow over your credit limit, you are charged ONE overlimit fee. Pay off your balance every month and you won't be charged interest. You can usually set up a payment plan where the previous month's balance automatically deducts from your checking account. I've found it is a LOT easier to manage transactions this way. You'll still need to use a checking account for some things, but fewer transactions in the bank means fewer possible opportunities to overdraft. As an added bonus, many credit cards earn rewards, so you'll be earning points for each transaction you make. Beats a debit card any day.

1. Banks USED TO cut off your card if the funds weren't available. This didn't always work (for example, gas charges only initially authorize $1, so if you had $5 available, you could still potentially pump $50 worth of gas without being declined), but it made it a lot more difficult for a bank to assess multiple overdrafts. Now they'll only decline a debit card authorization if your account balance is already in the negative $100s. Credit cards still decline card charges if the funds aren't available, and I'm sure some smaller banks do as well. BB&T and other large banks claim that they're doing you a favor by allowing the transaction to go through, but in the end, it's just more advantageous for them because they can charge you and blame it on your "irresponsibility." They don't give you a choice. Most customers would prefer to have their card declined than to literally hand over a small fortune to the bank for these fees, but aren't given the option. I feel like this changed about five years ago for most banks, and laws NEED to be passed to stop it-- it's practically criminal for banks to get away with this. 2. Other banks I've worked with are much more willing to negotiate fees. Even if you've been with them a long time, if you have had one fee overdrafted previously at any point (even years before), BB&T will not grant a refund. they don't care about your business enough to give you a "courtesy" refund. It doesn't matter what the circumstances of the mistake that caused the overdraft, and it doesn't matter what your financial situation is like. It doesn't even matter how many overdrafts there were -- for example, it's not difficult to have HUNDREDS of dollars in fees for one overdraft instance. You'd think they'd have the decency to credit back 1 fee, for loyalty's sake, but they'd rather have you close your account. My advice to the poster- Start using a credit card for most of your transactions. Credit card companies cut off your card when you reach the credit limit instead of allowing it to go through so that they can conveniently charge you. Even if you go somehow over your credit limit, you are charged ONE overlimit fee. Pay off your balance every month and you won't be charged interest. You can usually set up a payment plan where the previous month's balance automatically deducts from your checking account. I've found it is a LOT easier to manage transactions this way. You'll still need to use a checking account for some things, but fewer transactions in the bank means fewer possible opportunities to overdraft. As an added bonus, many credit cards earn rewards, so you'll be earning points for each transaction you make. Beats a debit card any day.

1. Banks USED TO cut off your card if the funds weren't available. This didn't always work (for example, gas charges only initially authorize $1, so if you had $5 available, you could still potentially pump $50 worth of gas without being declined), but it made it a lot more difficult for a bank to assess multiple overdrafts. Now they'll only decline a debit card authorization if your account balance is already in the negative $100s. Credit cards still decline card charges if the funds aren't available, and I'm sure some smaller banks do as well. BB&T and other large banks claim that they're doing you a favor by allowing the transaction to go through, but in the end, it's just more advantageous for them because they can charge you and blame it on your "irresponsibility." They don't give you a choice. Most customers would prefer to have their card declined than to literally hand over a small fortune to the bank for these fees, but aren't given the option. I feel like this changed about five years ago for most banks, and laws NEED to be passed to stop it-- it's practically criminal for banks to get away with this. 2. Other banks I've worked with are much more willing to negotiate fees. Even if you've been with them a long time, if you have had one fee overdrafted previously at any point (even years before), BB&T will not grant a refund. they don't care about your business enough to give you a "courtesy" refund. It doesn't matter what the circumstances of the mistake that caused the overdraft, and it doesn't matter what your financial situation is like. It doesn't even matter how many overdrafts there were -- for example, it's not difficult to have HUNDREDS of dollars in fees for one overdraft instance. You'd think they'd have the decency to credit back 1 fee, for loyalty's sake, but they'd rather have you close your account. My advice to the poster- Start using a credit card for most of your transactions. Credit card companies cut off your card when you reach the credit limit instead of allowing it to go through so that they can conveniently charge you. Even if you go somehow over your credit limit, you are charged ONE overlimit fee. Pay off your balance every month and you won't be charged interest. You can usually set up a payment plan where the previous month's balance automatically deducts from your checking account. I've found it is a LOT easier to manage transactions this way. You'll still need to use a checking account for some things, but fewer transactions in the bank means fewer possible opportunities to overdraft. As an added bonus, many credit cards earn rewards, so you'll be earning points for each transaction you make. Beats a debit card any day.

1. Banks USED TO cut off your card if the funds weren't available. This didn't always work (for example, gas charges only initially authorize $1, so if you had $5 available, you could still potentially pump $50 worth of gas without being declined), but it made it a lot more difficult for a bank to assess multiple overdrafts. Now they'll only decline a debit card authorization if your account balance is already in the negative $100s. Credit cards still decline card charges if the funds aren't available, and I'm sure some smaller banks do as well. BB&T and other large banks claim that they're doing you a favor by allowing the transaction to go through, but in the end, it's just more advantageous for them because they can charge you and blame it on your "irresponsibility." They don't give you a choice. Most customers would prefer to have their card declined than to literally hand over a small fortune to the bank for these fees, but aren't given the option. I feel like this changed about five years ago for most banks, and laws NEED to be passed to stop it-- it's practically criminal for banks to get away with this. 2. Other banks I've worked with are much more willing to negotiate fees. Even if you've been with them a long time, if you have had one fee overdrafted previously at any point (even years before), BB&T will not grant a refund. they don't care about your business enough to give you a "courtesy" refund. It doesn't matter what the circumstances of the mistake that caused the overdraft, and it doesn't matter what your financial situation is like. It doesn't even matter how many overdrafts there were -- for example, it's not difficult to have HUNDREDS of dollars in fees for one overdraft instance. You'd think they'd have the decency to credit back 1 fee, for loyalty's sake, but they'd rather have you close your account. My advice to the poster- Start using a credit card for most of your transactions. Credit card companies cut off your card when you reach the credit limit instead of allowing it to go through so that they can conveniently charge you. Even if you go somehow over your credit limit, you are charged ONE overlimit fee. Pay off your balance every month and you won't be charged interest. You can usually set up a payment plan where the previous month's balance automatically deducts from your checking account. I've found it is a LOT easier to manage transactions this way. You'll still need to use a checking account for some things, but fewer transactions in the bank means fewer possible opportunities to overdraft. As an added bonus, many credit cards earn rewards, so you'll be earning points for each transaction you make. Beats a debit card any day.

This is where you fail to understand the consequences of a debit card. Most people don't understand that banks do not put a deny on your card if you don't have money in your account. This is so the merchants you deal with don't get stuck with your inability to pay them for the goods and services purchased. The best thing you can do is stop using your debit card - especially if you live from paycheck to paycheck so tightly. Insofar as it relates to holds, you would be best to review when the money is actually available for your to spend. If your direct deposit is on a Friday, then chances are your money really isn't available until late Friday night or early Saturday morning for you to spend. Since it's not available until then, anything you spend on Friday will bounce and cause overdrafts. Finally, as someone also mentioned, keep a register. It will save you a lot of money in the long run. Never trust what a teller tells you - not because they're lying, but they may not really know the entire story. Only you do and that story is in your register. Keep in mind the availability of your money and you should not have a problem at this or any bank. If you fail to heed this, I promise you this will be an issue at the next bank you're at, and the one after that.

Well my husband got paid last friday, and like always I went out and paid my bills (we have direct deposit) The days where normally all of the transactions hit at the same time are GONE! Because I paid my bills before 2pm on friday and the deposit was done after 2pm THE SAME DAY! I recieved 3 NSF fees! When I look at my acct it shows a direct deposit to my account then my transactions and then the NSF fees. I printed it off because it looked wrong to me. Then took it to the bank, they told me I should have known what was going to happen since the "2:00 rule has been going on since the beginning of time" however, until last year I have never had this problem. I have now closed my BB&T account and I urge all of you to do the same! If they have no business then they can't take our hard earned money. If you can't get a new account due to this keep your money in a safe. It's safer at home than it is at the mercy of BB&T. Again, I urge you to close your accounts! I am going to send an e mail to all of my friends and family urging them to do the same. Perhaps if we show them that we have a choice they will reconsider their deceptive business practices. This is why they are still "strong in lending" because they are screwing us out of our money!

It is your responsibility to balance your check register. Everyone in their right mind does this, so they will know how much money they actually have. The bank is not taking advantage of you in this bad economy. The bad economy is all the more reason to keep a tab on your funds. Why would you go to the BBB for your irresponsible actions anyway? This is your bank, not your babysitter. They hold your $ for debits until a merchant picks it up. Large deposits are held if they are from an insurance company or other large certified funds checks. These are the most fraudulant funds to come thru. You are notified of this when you deposit these types of checks anyway. As well as the guidelines for NSFs and how your deposits made after 2 will post the next business day. You can call 1-800 BANK-BBT. That is customer service. It is a $2 fee after the first 2 calls you make each month and speak with a real live person. Stop blaming a bank for your own actions and trying to get free $ with a lawsuit.