Complaint Review: Wachovia Bank - Nationwide

I have had problems too. I was supposed to recieve a deposit from my 401k and it was EFT, little did i know that there was a SEPARATE routing # for the EFTs. This was a big mistake Wachovia made, and it took 2 weeks to recieve it. i would have been better off recieving the check by mail. And Bryan, quit filling everyone with your B.S.!!!! I have called the 800 # many times and i get an attitude from the csr's. No one is helpful. I had no problems with my previous bank until Wachovia took over. I have since moved my account to another bank.

I'm sorry to hear about the problems you've had Curtis. If any of this has happened in the past couple of months, I'd be glad to help you. I just need to be able to see the specific transactions. I don't know if they'll print my direct telephone at work on this website, its (877)394-0651 extension 83258. You will most likely need to leave a message as my work schedule is varied and I assist numerous clients. If they won't print this number, feel free to call the main telephone number for Wachovia at (800)922-4684. We're available 24 hours a day and we'll be happy to help you.

I have to totally disagree with Brian. Wachovia pulled this same stunt on me. It indeed was payday and funds were in my account. As Brian said, check card authorizations are done immediatly, meaning the funds are available. I made alot of check card purchases for gas and lunch etc. Even one cash withdrawl. Wachovia charged over draft fees on all of them. When contacted they said my direct deposit was not credited until 7:30 am and they can apply credits and debits in any order they want. Several years ago I went to the teller window on payday and withdrew 3500.00 in cash and placed it in my girl friends account as she was paying all our bills. Wachovia gave me the cash and I went on my way. Three days later I got a bounced check notice in the mail. It was the 3500.00 check. The notice said I had 200.00 in the bank at the time the check was presented. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that wasn't true or the teller would never have given me cash. I phone transferred the remaining 3670 some odd dollars in my account over to my savings account. It took Wachovia three weeks but finally some lady called and said, we need you to make this check good. I said the check was cashed at the teller window. IT had to be good. To make a long story short she gave me the bounced check fee back and i moved the money back over into my savings account...but how the heck did that branch balance cash for three weeks?

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with Wachovia. I just wanted to let you know a couple of things about how a checking account works to clarify a couple of misunderstandings you have. To begin with, your employer controls your direct deposit. They send your direct deposit through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system. The ACH system is a national system used for Electronic Funds Transfers (EFT) between banks. For an employer to set up direct deposit, they would get your account number and routing number and give this information to their bank or an outside agency to start sending your direct deposit to you. The bank does nothing but recieve the funds and place them into your account, which is automated of course. If your Direct Deposit did not arrive as you expected, it was unfortunately because your payroll department did not send it in time or did not send it properly. I see you also had some confusion as to how your Visa Checkcard works. Whenever you make a purchase with a Visa Checkcard, an authorization is placed on your account immediately. This places your funds on hold for 3 business days or less, depending on how quickly we recieve confirmation of the transaction from the merchant. The reason purchases work in this manner is both for your protection and also to make sure that the transaction posts accurately to your account. Should the merchant authorize your card twice, or for an amount that is different from the amount you agreed to on your reciept, the amount you actually agreed to will be debited instead. There are several locations that regularly authorize purchases for a different amount than the amount you agree to, typically resturants and gas stations. So, unfortunately, while the transaction may not post immediately, we do place a hold on the account immediately for the amount of the authorization. This will reflect on your available balance after making the purchase. Again, I am truly sorry for any misunderstanding there may have been as to how your account functions. I do understand how frustrating it can be to have to change banks and set everything up all over again. I sincerely hope that you will reconsider closing your account as we would hate to lose a good customer. If there is anything we can do, please contact us directly. The national telephone number for Wachovia bank is (800)922-4684. There are representatives available 24 hours a day that would be more than happy to assist you. Or, feel free to visit your local branch.