Michelle
Tinley Park,#2Consumer Comment
Wed, August 17, 2005
Thank you, Mike for your suggestion. Unfortunately, I believe I'm out of luck in this matter as the statute of limitations is only for a year (the snotty attorney smugly informed me of the statute and I looked it up). To get an attorney to take a case like this would be pretty much impossible; I work at a law firm and one of our attorneys handles these type of cases. He pretty much said I have no legal recourse at this point. However, if I can warn other people about the shenanigans going on at this bank, maybe someone else can avoid having this happen to them. 1. Make sure your signature card is completely filled out before you sign. First Midwest made me sign a blank card because "they were too busy" to complete the card at the time. Although my originial paperwork states that two signatures are needed for withdrawal, the signature card (which I think was completed when this came to light) states "1" signature needed. 2. Make sure you OPEN and keep track of your bank accounts. Part of my problem was that I ASSumed the money was safe and simply filed the unopened statements. My ex was clever enough not to close the accounts completely and I was dumb enough to assume the money couldn't be removed. It wasn't until I got a dormant account notice that there was only $5 in the account that I knew anything was up, and by then it was too late. 3. Keep your money somewhere other than a predatory bank like First Midwest, TCF, etc. These banks are the whores of the banking world; most of the banks that actively recruit checking accounts are. No money is made off of checking accounts - except in charging astronomical fees. Check out banks that have been around for a while instead of the fly by night newcomers with a different name every week. 4. Put your name on the "do not call" list and if you get a telemarketing call from your bank, report them. Banks are now GIVING OUT YOUR PERSONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION to outside telemarketers who call you to get business for the bank. These telemarketing companies, in turn, also use that information for their other clients. So beware of banks (like First Midwest) that call you for business. 5. Again - order your checks from an outside company. You are paying 4 times as much ordering from the bank. When you open your account, your intitial check order should be free. If not, ask for free temporary checks.
Mark
Philadelphia,#3Consumer Suggestion
Wed, August 17, 2005
Contact the OCC and the Federal Reserve department for fraud. These are the two organizations that oversee banks in the USA. Second, lawyer up. You are at a disadvantage as they are better armed then you. Next, you may want to sue your ex. He is a thief. Put his feet to the fire as well.
Michelle
Tinley Park,#4Consumer Suggestion
Tue, August 16, 2005
Hi, I am the original poster. I don't know who posted the "rebuttal" but it wasn't me. However, it is interesting that I did speak to the bank's attorney, Mr. Paul Simpson, who very arrogantly told me that there was nothing I could do about this problem as the statute of limitations are up. He also told me that the signatures on the withdrawal slip matched up, but refused to send them to me. He said he had been doing this for 30 years and there was no one I could complain to. I obtained the copies of the withdrawal slips from Kevin, my "personal banker" (who didn't even offer an apology about this). They are clearly forged! I did write a letter to the bank president & sent him copies of the information; but I doubt it will do any good. I am a nobody, the bank doesn't need me - no matter how long I've been banking there. Because of the branch banking laws that have been effective in Illinois for the past 20 years, banks are no longer about getting customers. Instead, they are about getting fees. The "free checking" you get isn't really free. They are actually delaying deposits, encouraging internet banking and telephone banking (which gives misleading information about which checks are cleared) and posting checks after the bank closes (although, for some reason, the deposits have to wait until the next day). Worst of all, they are actually using tellers as TELEMARKETERS, giving them "bonuses" for signing people up for direct deposit, bill payment, and other things, all designed to make sure you keep your checking account with them. Fees for check reorders are outrageous. Do yourself a favor and order your checks online at a private company. Instead of paying over $30 a box, pay $7. I don't mind following rules IF they apply to everyone. But when I'm charged $90 for one overdraft (when the money was there) and a "good business account" is allowed to be overdrawn repeatedly, it's not right. And as far as this theft from my childrens' accounts by their father, yes, it's true and those are the facts. Anyone who wants to see the copies can feel free to contact me.
M
C City,#5Consumer Comment
Mon, August 15, 2005
I would like to apologize. I misunderstood Michelle's comment of "This is a joke." I think that it is terrible that you would use this forum to mislead people who may be on your side! It is one thing to post your complaint, but to intentionally try to make someone belive what they are reading is from a bank employee...you are something else! I'm on your side if the facts are what you say they are, you should have left it at that! I should have read the second post better, so the fault lies here as far as that is concerned.
M
C City,#6Consumer Comment
Mon, August 15, 2005
Regardless of the fact of whether she bounced checks, the fact of the matter remains! Your bank allowed a non-account holder to withdraw funds from an account he should not have had access to. This SHOULD be a criminal matter! But the criminal should be the bank employee who allowed the father to withdrawal funds from the childrens' accounts. The teller should have told him he was unauthorized and not given him the money. Great public relations this bank has!
M
C City,#7Consumer Comment
Mon, August 15, 2005
Regardless of the fact of whether she bounced checks, the fact of the matter remains! Your bank allowed a non-account holder to withdraw funds from an account he should not have had access to. This SHOULD be a criminal matter! But the criminal should be the bank employee who allowed the father to withdrawal funds from the childrens' accounts. The teller should have told him he was unauthorized and not given him the money. Great public relations this bank has!
M
C City,#8Consumer Comment
Mon, August 15, 2005
Regardless of the fact of whether she bounced checks, the fact of the matter remains! Your bank allowed a non-account holder to withdraw funds from an account he should not have had access to. This SHOULD be a criminal matter! But the criminal should be the bank employee who allowed the father to withdrawal funds from the childrens' accounts. The teller should have told him he was unauthorized and not given him the money. Great public relations this bank has!
M
C City,#9Consumer Comment
Mon, August 15, 2005
Regardless of the fact of whether she bounced checks, the fact of the matter remains! Your bank allowed a non-account holder to withdraw funds from an account he should not have had access to. This SHOULD be a criminal matter! But the criminal should be the bank employee who allowed the father to withdrawal funds from the childrens' accounts. The teller should have told him he was unauthorized and not given him the money. Great public relations this bank has!
Michelle
Tinley Park,#10UPDATE Employee
Mon, August 15, 2005
This person lost money at our bank - too bad! She should have filed a report a year ago, before the statute of limitations was up! I have no use for people who whine and complain about trivial matters such as these! She acts like $1800 is a lot of money! Big deal - I'm an employee of the bank in the legal department and I make that in a week. When this broad called me and complained, I had to stifle a laugh. Imagine - complaining about what doesn't even amount to a week's pay! And she threatened to go to the president of the bank, Mr. O'Meara, with a letter! Like he's going to bother reading his mail! This is a joke.