SteveinSanDiego
Santee,#2Author of original report
Mon, April 30, 2012
Yes, I should've been more diligent on this matter. I probably shouldn't have signed up for online statements. This account is only a spending money account and doesn't include the majority of my finances.
Lesson learned.... Be more diligent in all my finances.
Thanks for the input to realize that I am wrong and the bank isn't. I was really angry. Sorry uboc.
MochaG
Springfield,#3Consumer Comment
Sun, April 29, 2012
"I shouldn't have to look at my statement if I choose not to. I'm the customer."
No you shouldn't have to if you choose not to, but you should not come here and whine about it because you choose not to. You are a customer, but you are responsible for your own fund. I'm sure they could still loose this type of customers anyway.
"Since January... That is 4 months. Last time I checked a calendar, a full year was 12 months. Yes, in most industries the customer is right... Apparently just not the banking industry."
The length of time is irrelevant. It is just to demonstrate the point of your negligence. The bank could refund you for $8 because it is the month you realized the change and you made noise to them. If you were to notice the fee the first month, you would have not paid for the fee and the bank might have worked some deals with you already.
PS: Whether I work for a bank or not, I would be an employee in any OP eyes regardless. The reason is that these OPs don't have enough brain to clarify/argue/reason the point of those who reply, so they would use the only thing they can think of "You must be working for them!" In conclusion, many of those who created a report on here are not smart enough to talk/argue using reasons.
Jim S
Anaheim,#4Consumer Comment
Sun, April 29, 2012
I have never worked for, nor consulted for the industry now or in the past. Most people who comment as part of the community don't work for banks (I only know one commentor who does). What I do...is research because I consult and help people manage their funds. I even get them out of their messes, if I can. The biggest mistake I see, is exactly what you do; you don't do anything to safeguard your own money. You get a bank statement and do nothing about it. You sit back and blame everyone else for your financial miseries, except the guy who looks back at you in a mirror. You think that once a bank starts charging fees...you're screwed. You think the customer is always right, no matter the wrong committed. And then, when confronted with the reality of the situation, that you were notified, that you were actually wrong...you then accuse those who speak against your position, as somehow working for a bank. Common claim. Common loss of credibility as well.
The first clue for you should have been the statement you received at the end of January. When you see anything you either don't agree with (a fee, an ACH wire, an unauthorized debit), you need to confront the bank about it. Had you done so when the first statement was received at the end of January, you would have had the opportunity to not only reverse the charge, but then pivot your money into another free checking account. The irony of your complaint is that you were in control the whole time; you had the ability to tell the bank to reverse the charges the day you found the first fee on the first statement.
The other problem regarding notification is that if you have an online account, the bank also places the notification there - at least from the T&C's I read online, and a lot of banks put their account T&C's changes there. The lessons here are (a) accounts are never free forever, (b) keep an eye on every transaction in your account, and (c) the customer is sometimes right, and sometimes wrong.
SteveinSanDiego
Santee,#5Author of original report
Sun, April 29, 2012
Since January... That is 4 months. Last time I checked a calendar, a full year was 12 months. Yes, in most industries the customer is right... Apparently just not the banking industry. You must work for the industry. Sorry.
Jim S
Anaheim,#6Consumer Comment
Sat, April 28, 2012
Friend, there are several reasons why you reconcile and balance your written check register; not the least of which is to review your account for unauthorized transactions. In age with identity theft running rampant here and elsewhere, balancing your account is not an option. In addition, and this applies to all banks and credit unions, you have 30 days to verify whether transactions to your account are valid; if after 30 days, you don't pursue invalid transactions, the bank assumes you authorized all the transactions for the month in your account.
The worst part is that all banks offer free checking accounts; you simply have to keep more money in your account. All you have to do is ask someone in your new accounts section about one or any of those accounts. If they don't have any of those accounts, go somewhere else - banks have them for customers. It is in your best interest to keep a bit more money in your account - if for no other reason than to have an emergency cash reserve.
"Michelle said tha they sent out policy changes last year that took effect in January. I said, I never got one so can I have a refund?"
You were absolutely notified; the notifications come in the form of second class mail that people who don't look at their accounts will see such notifications as garbage. Given you don't scrutinize a bank statement monthly, it's easy for believe you didn't read your notification..... Whether you go to another bank or credit union...those rules are pretty much the same. Can't support your position.... Best of luck to you....
What?
USA#7Consumer Comment
Sat, April 28, 2012
The customer is not always right. In fact, the customer is often an entitled dolt. You have a personal responsibility when it comes to monitoring your own finances. Part of the purpose in balancing your checkbook is to catch unauthorized transactions. Another part is reconciling bank fees (ATM fees, etc.). After a full year, I wouldn't have given you a refund on a fee either. You ran long past any reasonable time to object. It might be time to start paying attention to your surroundings. I hope you give your job or your children a higher level of attention than you give your finances.
SteveinSanDiego
Santee,#8Author of original report
Sat, April 28, 2012
I'm sorry, but balancing my check book is just to find errors in my calculations, not to see that my bank is ripping me off without telling me. I shouldn't have to look at my statement if I choose not to. I'm the customer. Bottom line, Union Bank is a bunch of crooks and I won't feel bad if someone steals from them. I want to see banks that do this sort of thing to their customers go under, R.I.P. Union bank! I can't wait until I see that. From the looks of it, they have a lot of complaints.... Looks like one foot is already in the grave for them.
They are ripping all their customers off unless they are rich! Get out and
Close your union bank accounts today! Show them that they can't treat their customers like this without consequence... Thank you all for your support!
coast
USA#9Consumer Comment
Sat, April 28, 2012
"Unfortunately I'm not one of those people that scrutinizes their statement every month."
Yes, that is unfortunate.
"I suggest you all pull your money out of these big RIP OFF banks"
I suggest you balance your checkbook at least once a month.