off the subject/Bank problems!!

Hellow everyone. I've had a heck of a day today and just wanted to "vent"...we got our "stimulus check" on Monday June 9 and I immediatly went to the ATM to deposit it as we were about to have a couple of overdrafts (It was after hours, so I just went to the atm) I kept checking everyday since and it kept saying "pending" on my online account...so anyway, our rent check cleared..elect bill cleared...car payment, etc. well, I checked online this morning since my husband's check is direct deposit last night expecting a large balance and got the shock of my life...our account is over 500 overdraft. in the activity it said "check returned with the amount of our stimulus check" so I called immediatly to the bank and they said because my husband's name is not on my checking account (even though my name is first on the stimulus check and his is second and our names are the same) and that's the order we signed the back...anyway, since his name is not on the acct, that it was "routed to ARIZONA (processing center) and was returned as of yesterday (11th) and was sent back to our address on the check (our home address) so, now not only do we have to wait to get the check BACK again (may not be untill monday!!) my husband's check was put "towards the overdrafts caused by this happening...the supervisor said that when I opened the account 5 years ago..I was told that anything with a name on a check that's not on the account would not be deposited"...Nobody told me that! Have you ever heard of such a thing? I am definatley not paying these overdrafts (anything that occured after the 9th...my check should have been cleared without question) and not sent half-way across the country only to be returned to me at my home address....it's like waiting all over again! I have no way to get food for my kids because of this!!!! What should I do? Do I have a leg to stand on ? I'm definatley switching banks from Wells Fargo..but they said I have to pay "all overdrafts and fee's to close account"...is this right???

I'm sorry to hear about your money problems. Actually I have had some issues lately in that area, but I'll tell you about my dealings with Wells Fargo as I like to vent and warn others about them when I get a chance. For years they spelled my name wrong on the account, but not my mothers (I was a minor at the time so it was joint). They never gave me my free box of checks, so when I asked for them it took them 3 or 4 tries to get my name right after they supposedly changed it in the computer and they charged me for all the checks. This caused me to go overdrawn and for them to pull overdraft funds from my credit card with them. I had to go in person and talked to the manager and tell her how much money I should have in each of my accounts and how much money they owed me since she couldn't even compute it. I also received two different ATM cards with different numbers on them and no one could tell me why. I was also told at one point that some cards that were sent to me could be lost in the mail. I'm sorry that does not set well with me. Needless to say I closed all accounts with them except my credit card which I will once its paid off. With dealing with the credit card they charged me a late payment when it was one day late (got it reversed since it was the first time ever) and when it was postmarked the day it was due (didn't bother fighting it that time). I'm sorry but isn't it customary to allow one mess up especially when it is one day or the same day?! I know thats being petty on my part but come on. And they did some illegal stuff concerning my boss' car loan.

So yes switch banks ASAP! I'm now at Washington Mutual and so much happier. Concerning joint accounts, I was able to close my savings and checking joint account that I had with my mom without her knowledge, signing anything, etc... maybe because I was the primary one on the account. Apparently they don't have a problem with your husbands automatic check going into your account so what difference is it if it another type of check? Especially one you both signed? I'd fight them all the way. Go into your closest bank and demand to talk to the manager, thats what I did. Talk to them as calmly as possible and explain everything. That your husband regularly deposits checks in the account, both of you signed it, your name is first, etc... If they don't agree to reverse the charges they say close all my accounts I'm going somewhere else and I'll let everyone else know just how bad of a bank this is. If they do reverse the charges still leave. Wamu is so much better and will let you have $100 of deposited money before it clears and they have free checking for life. SOOOOOO much better than stupid Wells Fargo!

Thanks for letting me rant!

Try speaking to a supervisor and keep your tone pleasant. Ask them to consider how long you have been with the bank and ask if they will take off the overdraft charges as a courtesy to you as you have been a good customer for x number of years. That approach has worked for me on occasions similar to your crisis. And I DO call it a crisis. Not being able to get food sends me into a panic and my pain level shoots through the roof! Also remember to say a prayer for some divine intervention as well. It can't hurt!!

As for having to pay all overdrafts and fees to close the account, I believe that is true. They can hound you about that and even ruin your credit. Another bank may not even open another account for you as a matter of fact.

Try the nice approach first and see if you can overcome the situation with the bank sympathizing with your situation. Even if they take half of the fees off, that would be a big help.

Good luck. Keep us posted on what happens, Porteyoz.

Lindaloo

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Moderator Chronic Pain

thanks for replying...I will definatley be speaking with a manager! Yes, they accept my husband's direct deposits with his name!!!!! you're right!!! I'm more pissed now than I've ever been (starting to break out in hives!) I have chronic kidney pain/spasms and this is definatly making my pain worse!!!

Dear Porteyoz,

I don't think these issues are off topic at all. The financial stress and strain does, as was mentioned, increase our pain levels. And many,many of us are in financial crisis. Heck, half the country is even those without health problems! So I have no problem with you venting about this issue. It's a real one for me and many others.

I've got a lawyer helping me with my credit cards, which I'm no longer able to pay. It breaks my heart as I've always paid my bills on time. And I do know the credit card companies and banks are all putting more and more stuff in the "fine print" which gives them the right to do all kinds of stuff. No longer does it even matter that you always paid on time. It's all comuterized anyway. But you may have luck talking in person with local bank officials, as has been suggested.

Let us know what happens, but try to calm yourself some. I know that's easier said that done, but it will help your pain lessen rather than have it spike and break out in hives.

Take care,
PaLady

The only thing I have to add is that instead of looking for a new bank, why don't you consider a credit union? I have worked with a credit union for most of my adult life (checking, savings, mortgage, home equity, credit cards) and have never encountered any of the problems mentioned in this thread. They tend to have a much less capitalistic outlook than banks - much more "member oriented" - more socialized.

Most CUs are open to the public now and offer the same services as banks, I believe. It is worth looking into - I believe you will be impressed and satisfied if you decide to join one.

I sure wish you success in your negotiations with your bank - I think you have a good chance of getting things corrected!

I second the Credit Union idea. They are so much cheaper than banks and as stated above...member oriented. We switched a few years ago and have only been treated with respect and expediently.

Good luck,
Chutzie

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Co-Mod Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Forums
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Fibromyalgia, Ulcerative Colitis, Insulin dependent diabetic, collapsed disk, dermatitis herpetiformus, osteo arthritis in spine and other locations.
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The only difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits. Albert Einstein: (1879-1955)

Thank you all for your kind words and understanding. I borrowed $50.00 to get some groceries from a co-worker when she saw me crying. I have called several food banks in my area and I have to have an appt (could take up to 2 hours they said..or more) I unfortunately (or fortunately) have to work all day today (my boss is on vacation and I'm covering for her) so, I'm unable to go today. My husband just got paid on Wed (direct deposit) and they "absorbed" his entire check (for the overdrafts caused by this)...I get paid/and my husband gets paid again next wed  and I/he will be canceling his direct deposits and I'm just going to "cash" my check there and go open another account (I'm still checking into credit unions) at another bank while my "status" is still open at Wells Fargo. I spoke with several different managers at Wells Fargo and while they "sympathize with my situation" they were very unhelpful as how to rectify this situation, they basically said "when you opened your account 5 years ago it was explained that any checks that don't have the account holders name on them  will not be deposited" funny...for the last 5 years they've accepted MANY checks made out to me/husband or just my husband..but they said "federal issued checks are different"...whatever, it still leaves us 500 in the hole (just going to let them take me to court if they have to-I will NOT give them another penny) My husband (who is somewhat of a rebel-says we should go w/draw 500 (the amount of his paycheck) and get "acessed" another overdraft fee, but he will have his paycheck back! I'm too chicken...all this because they didn't inform me of any problems with this check (it's my money!) and they took it upon themselves to send it to "processing center" in Arizona...then send it back to my address when someone couldn't "verify my husband's name on my account"...all this waiting, mailing back and forth..what happens if it gets "lost" on the way from Arizona? They told me to contact the IRS and issue a "stop check"and issue another one or direct deposit it into my account, so they can deduct all the overdraft fees !!!! My kids eyes when I told them we would not be doing anything untill we get this check back....(we had planned to take Dad out for fathers day/movies,etc) I know that's not a "necessity" but little kids look forward to this stuff....It breaks my heart that this bank could make this decision without contacting me in any way!!!

This sounds more and more convuluted to me. So they accept your husband's work check direct deposti, which I'm assuming does not have your name on it, but when the stimulus check comes and your name is first along with his they send it back? Yes, I'm sure there are special things with federal checks, probably for security reasons, but how on earth do they accept your husband's work checks? I know you don't know the answer; it baffles me, too.

I know it's hard to tell your children that plans have to be changed, but sometimes valuable lessons are learned there about what's important. Can you get creative and make Dad a special breakfast in bed or something, or go to the beach or somewhere that has no admission fee that maybe you've never gone before. Check what's going on in your town online. Maybe there's a free concert somewhere.

I know I've had to face the fact that I can no longer buy gifts for family members. I don't have children, but my goddaughter is like a child to me and for the first time this year for her birthday in May I couldn't afford to buy her anything of even remote significance. So I decided to begin giving her some of my mother's things that she's always loved, and polished a crystal salad bowl and gave it to her and she loved it. Last Christmas I gave her and her husband one of my mother's hummels (my mother had a hummel collection, which I cherish). Even though my goddaughter will get them all one day, I hadn't planned to give them to her yet. But she's told me they're the most meaningful gifts she's ever received!

Hugs to you all,

PaLady

Portey reading more of your situation I'm baffled as to what exactly the bank thought they were doing this whole time! It sounds to me like they have been doing some illegal stuff just like they did with my boss (They okayed a car loan without them signing all final paperwork and already charged them a late payment before everything was official, etc...). I think you may want to consult a lawyer on their dealings with you if they refuse to give you your money back because of the overdrafts. They have definitely been doing some shady stuff with your account. In the past five years have you ever cashed other IRS tax return checks with them that had both yours and your husband's name on them? If so definitely use that in your argument against them.

Hope things get better!

yes, they have. (cashed IRS checks w/both names on them)BUT, we went INSIDE the bank to cash them...unfortunately that's what they are disputing that I put it in the ATM...It was after-hours and I wanted to get it in before we had any overdrafts (I had a few things pending...) I got it in before the cut-off time....But, because they "routed it to ARIZONA"...it had been "pending" for 3 days..in the meantime I wrote a check for daycare,groceries,etc...which of course "overdrafted because they refused this check 3 days later" with no mention to me...I had NO IDEA that it wouldn't be covered!! We should have with our stimulus check and my husband's paycheck over 3,000.00 in the bank, instead, we are forced to wait for our check to be mailed back to our house (praying it doesn't get lost!) AND not to mention being 500 in the hole! I'm more and more angry everytime I think about it (didn't sleep last night, kept tossing/turning all night).They have lliterally ruined my credit, my life...in one fell swoop by not just depositing our check to our account! My husband (who works his butt off..doing maintenence and construction (remodeling) worked for free last week because his paycheck (which is Direct deposit) was completely "absorbed" by their ridiculous fees that would never had occured (we had our check in their bank!and they sent it out of state (not us!)...that's what gets me the most...all his hard work to overdraft fees!!!! Things always work out, but it still breaks my heart!

I have to say your situation sucks.

I will tell you that it sounds a little screwy quite honestly. If you have proof (old bank statements or being able to go online to show that they deposited IRS checks) I would print that out and take it in with you. Explain to them that they've done it before and you want to know why they are suddenly changing their policies, and giving you the run around.

I'm not trying to defend them by any means but I will tell you that normally with checks in both mine and my husbands name our bank normally does not require signatures of both if it's going into a joint account. However, with the stimulus check we received they did require both signatures. Bank of America apologized but said that with the government checks they have to have both signatures - so the rules for them might actually be a little different. Also - as far as the bank using your husbands direct deposit to cover the overdraft fee's - that is perfectly well within their rights. (Even if the reason for the overdraft fee's is complete BS). Both of my brothers have had this happen, one once, and the other numerous times. Any money deposited into the account will automatically go towards a negative balance first. The one brother who had it happened once did dispute it - and lost. Their explanation was that all they did was add the money into the account like they normally would. If you have ten dollars and add ten you get twenty, but if you are in the hole ten dollars and add ten it's zero. It makes sense. Also - as far as not paying them for the overdrafts - they can and will send it to creditors and bash your credit to pieces with it. My brother had the same thing happen - and it wrecked his credit to the point where he could not even open another checking account with the four banks he tried as he was considered a risk. So - if this is going to be the case I highly suggest opening the new account ASAP - before your current bank reports the information. If you are in the military - (I don't think you or your spouse are from what I know of you) but if you are - you can also have action taken against you by the military for bad credit reasons. Things such as them docking your pay - taking ranks and the like depending on how serious the issue is.

They may be within their rights to use the deposit towards overdrafts BUT if they were not in their rights to refuse the check and/or charge you the overdraft fee's then you've got something to dispute. Not only will they owe you the overdraft fee's, but if you end up having to take out a loan or are charged any fee's by anywhere for having things not get paid they are also responsible for this.

It's not on the topic of all this - but you really have to find a way to relax yourself. It is so easy to get irritated and upset over stuff like this but all it does it hurt us. I know anytime I'm upset (mad, sad, angry, hurt) my pain flares up, badly. This is going to sound horrible, but do what you can, and then accept that right now there is nothing you can do. You have to find some way to relax and get this anger frustration out or your going to pay the price for it in pain.

As far as things to do - there may be dollar theaters around you - and due to it being summer may theaters have children's matinee rates around 1-2 dollars. Also consider a walk in the park, or a day in the park with a picnic as something fun to do. Things as simple as a water fight with the parents involved are great fun for children. I remember one year where I didn't have much money but I bought 5$ worth of water balloons and a few cheap squirt guns for a fathers day. I told my brothers we were going to get dad when he got home. We made daddy a bucket of balloons with a water gun in it - put them out front. Then made a bunch for us, got out water guns full, and it was great fun. Sometimes the kids love having the parents play with them - and I admit I love that type of stuff now to. Other things to do that Dad and kids might enjoy that are simple are having the kids cook him breakfast, as I mentioned a picnic, a camp-out in the backyard (borrow the tent if you need to), you can wet grass down if you have a hill and slide down on trash bags, in home movie day, washing the car together (most kids love this), also stuff like visiting a fire station or things like that are fun also. (Can you tell we didn't have a lot of money when I grew up?) I know that for me growing up it wasn't WHAT we did with dad, it was the fact that we got to spend time with him where we didn't have to worry about getting yelled at for making a mess, or worry about him getting called by work. Heck, tickling matches in the living room were some of the highlights growing up.

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My bank does the same thing. I deposit checks with my husbands name all the time and he is not on my account.  Then I get a check from the government and they refuse.  I told them I do it all the time and they said they would do it this once as a courtesy.

I'm having problems with Bank of America.  I have a credit card with them and I knew I had a ton of available credit, but when I went to pay, it was declined.  With identity theft so prevelant, I was worried.  After getting transferred to a "financal specialist"  I was told due to debt to income ratio, my credit limit was declined. Now, I have great credit, not one late payment or collection.  I have been with this bank for 10 years as well as my husband has all his personal and business accounts there.  I am on our mortgage and with disability, I have little income, so they reduced my credit by 6 grand.  I was livid.  I have never in my life been decreased.  I didn't even know they did that.  I thought since I was a good customer, paid on time, good credit, history with the bank that they would change it back, no go.  They didn't even notify me and I was embarrassed when I tried to use the card. they could care less that we have all these accounts with them.  The personal bank is long gone.

Melissa

Melissa,
The banks/credit card companies are really tightening up, especially because so many people are defaulting. All that stuff in the fine print that few of us read gives them pretty much the right to do anything at any time. I've heard news stories about people who haven't missed one payment or had anything else change but the credit card company raised their interest rate without notice. Have you checked your FICO score? Just about all credit decisions are based on that, and that is based on many things like income, debt to income ratio, etc. You're right, the personal bank is long gone.

PaLady

Banks.... from my experience are not really there to help us ...
they are Businesses out to make money...

- I have have had similar problems with banking, but not the same as yours

I was sick once with that terrible NORWALK FLU
I had given my landlord my rent check on a Saturday, the night before I had deposited my pay check.
it technically didn't register as a deposit until the next Tuesday !!!!!!!!!
apparently because it was a long weekend...
i had no clue...

so the rent bounced,, and I was charged NSF fees!!!! by a bank I had delt with for 7 years

there have been other times too when I would go to teh Atm get $ 20 out for medications at the pharmacy next door...
I'd make a deposit before my withdrawl....
all before 6 pm ( the cut off time)
I;d go over to teh pharmacy pick up my medications...
go to the grocery store.... get my groceries... all 1 hour after the deposit...

I have no hold on my account & $ 250 is instantly available to me...

by Monday I was checking my account.. online & noticed the "order" that they put the events in,... and of course they charge me an extra $ 5 courtesy fee to let an over draft happen...

I called.... and BOY I was given the gears,.... saying they didt have to let me be -8 "over"
technically I wasnt re the deposit I was up $ 700 PLUS!!!!!!!!!!!!

lol
they wanted to see $1000 remain in my account... suggested it might be a good idea not to use my account for every day with drawls.. and living...
that oh MY ! my head was realling thnking
we live pay check to pay chekl... and abrely make ends meet


sheesh,.........


banks!

I also say check out credit union...



Hope you get through this ok

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Thank you all and I feel better knowing I'm not alone in this! I finally recieved my stimulus check back with a letter explaining because his name isn't on the account that it was returned and to make sure "I had enough funds in my account so as not to incure any overdrafts"ha ha! we are going to another bank today on our lunch break to open another account..I am now -700 in overdrafts at Wells Fargo and refuse to pay these fees due to their mistake...I realize due to the fine print that I am responsible...but I'm still not going to pay (I also realize it will be negative credit report...the stress they put me through and fees they are charged are outrageous!

Call a Free Legal Aid advice line....

you may have a Ligitimate Case.... and RIGHTS

Some where recently I learned that many of those "charges" we are charged" are actually illefgal... and they get a way with it.. because we don't know better

Go for it make a Call...

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