Account Closure

[Breezy90]

What is the name of your state? Oregon
The end of last year, I opened a checking account for my granddaughter (15) with both our names on it. In December, the account went into overdraft. When I looked to see why, I noticed 3 fraudulent transactions against the account, one a week in increasing amounts. I contacted the bank and was told I needed to contact their fraud division. When I contacted the fraud division, I pulled up the account on the internet to get the account number and saw a 4th transaction going through. I explained what was happening and stated I did not want to deposit any funds into this account since a new charge against it was appearing weekly. (This was December 29). They sent me papers to fill out, which we did, listing all 3 of the remaining transactions, and faxed them back the same day we received them. (This was January 16). By this time, they had charged us $30 per overdraft item and $7 per day each day the account remained in overdraft. I received no communication from the bank. In February, 2 of the transactions were reversed and $60 in bank fees. The remaining fees and transaction remained on the account. I waited 2 more days for the remaining transaction and fees to be removed. When they weren't, I called again. I was told that they never received any paperwork on the 3rd transaction, even though all 3 were listed on the papers that they did receive, they had my cell phone number (which they never used) and a seperate paper had been faxed on each transaction. I told her I would fax the paperwork again and did that very day. (Feb. 6). Three days later, I went on the internet to check the account and it was gone. The next day, my personal account was charged over $600 for the negative balances on two accounts that had been closed. I took all the paperwork down to the bank on February 13. I sat there for almost 2 hours going over all the papers and trying to find out what was going on. One of the accounts had been my mother's (who passed away a year ago). She had a safety deposit box that I understood she had closed. They had charged the account, put it into overdraft, kept charging daily fees and finally closed the account. They had also charged my account all the fees on my Granddaughter's account even though there was still a fraud case pending on the remaining item and all the bank fees. My account, because of the $600 in fees, is now in overdraft. I am being charged $35 per item presented to the bank (I have auto pays I was unable to stop) and $7 per day for each day in overdraft. The bank has had all the paperwork all week. I have been at the bank or called every day. I keep getting excuses why nothing has been done. First the fraud division was not returning her call, then she was not at work and no one else could help me except her. I have left voice messages (she was wwith another customer) but received no call back. All my payroll checks are direct deposit. At this point, they will not cover the overdraft fees and I will still have no money to use when they are deposited. I have had to borrow money for gas and groceries all week. I have bills coming due and I am getting no communication from the bank. What can I do now?

[JETX]

Originally Posted by Breezy90

What can I do now?

Get off your ass and go TO the bank. Your trying to do this by long distance is inane!!!

[Breezy90]

If you read what I wrote, I have been to the bank on a daily basis all week since the account was closed, but thanks for the help

[cjbrown929]

Originally Posted by Breezy90

If you read what I wrote, I have been to the bank on a daily basis all week since the account was closed, but thanks for the help

Jet- next time, try reading the post before insulting the op. Though it's not near as much fun, you might not look like such an idiot.

[JETX]

Originally Posted by Breezy90

If you read what I wrote, I have been to the bank on a daily basis all week since the account was closed, but thanks for the help

From your own post:
"I contacted the bank"
"I contacted the fraud division"
"I pulled up the account on the internet"
"They sent me papers to fill out, which we did"
"I called again"
"I told her I would fax the paperwork again"
"I went on the internet to check the account and it was gone."
"I have been at the bank or called every day"

That is why I told you to go TO the bank and talk with someone of authority.

[JETX]

Originally Posted by cjbrown929

Jet- next time, try reading the post before insulting the op. Though it's not near as much fun, you might not look like such an idiot.

Kiss my ass, you nitwit.

We are STILL waiting for you to explain your other errors on this forum.

Remember:
[url]http://forum.freeadvice.com/showpost.php?p=1136112&postcount=8[/url]
and
[url]http://forum.freeadvice.com/showpost.php?p=1119117&postcount=4[/url]
and
[url]http://forum.freeadvice.com/showpost.php?p=1111947&postcount=4[/url]
and
[url]http://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=278251[/url]
and lots of others....

[Breezy90]

I'm so glad that my problems give you the opportunity to air out your obvious dislike for each other.

Just to clear up a point: Fraud division is not located at either bank within our city. The bank directs you to an 800 number to file a complaint. It took my local bank 30 minutes to find the form I needed to fax into the fraud department because they weren't sure what to look for.

My account was charged the overdraft funds from the other accounts on Feb 10, a Friday. Friday night, when I got off work at 8 PM, I tried to use my debit card and found it was denied. Upon checking, I found my account overdrawn by almost $50. When I went online to investigate the overdraft status, I found the $600+ charges. I had received no prior notification of these charges. The bank was closed Sat. and Sun. I went to the bank on Monday, Feb 13 and spent 2 hours going over the accounts with a real human. I went back on Tues, Feb 14 and waited while this person spoke to her husband or boyfriend on the phone about meeting after work to celebrate Valentine's Day. This was the day she told me the Fraud department had not returned her call. Wed, Feb 15 I went to the bank and was told she had called in sick that day, sorry but no one else could help me since no one knew what the problem was about except her. Thurs Feb 16 I waited as long as I could while she was with another customer. Finally had to leave to go back to work. Called from work but she was always busy or on another line. No call was returned. Friday, Feb 17 (day I wrote the original forum message) same as Thursday. I wish I could take time off work and camp in the bank until I got an answer but that isn't possible. Hope this clears up your debate on my problem

[JETX]

Originally Posted by Breezy90

I'm so glad that my problems give you the opportunity to air out your obvious dislike for each other.

First, sorry that your thread go 'dragged off' into cj's imaginary world of law. He is a legal idiot without any experience or education..... and often diverts the issues from their true legal basis.

So, with that...... back to your problem.
I know you don't want to hear it.... but this is a LEGAL forum, and there is nothing in your post (or situation) that has to do with the law. Apparently, you were a victim of fraudulent activity which depleted your account. You (presumably) have done everything you can to try to work with the bank to resolve this. And though, most banks will work with the customer to try to resolve fees, etc., there is no legal obligation for them to do so.

The only REAL advice you can get is:
1) To try to negotiate a fee reduction with them the best you can. If the location you are dealing with is a branch, you should escalate your problem to their main office. Get ALL your facts together (preferably in a 'chronological' chart - showing date, transaction, contacts, etc.). A list of the main STATE banks in Oregon is at:
[url]http://www.cbs.state.or.us/dfcs/banking/direct.htm[/url]

2) At any time during this situation, you can certainly file a complaint with the banking regulators. The problem there is often in trying to find out who 'they' are. Some banks are state chartered and some are federal. I suggest you start with your Oregon 'Division of Finance & Corporate Securities'.... and go from there.
[url]http://www.cbs.state.or.us/dfcs/[/url]

One more thought... At the beginning of your first post, you mention that this account is co-owned by someone else. Do you know WHO is drawing from this account??
Due to the type of activity (multiple small withdrawals, etc.) it seems far more likely that this is someone who has access to your account..... rather than some unknown 'account fraud expert' simply tapping your funds.

[Breezy90]

Thanks for offering some help this time!

The account was opened under my name and my 15 year old granddaughter to pay for a college art course she is taking.

The fraud department has given me an 800 number for the company withdrawing the funds, a company called "Service 10". Unfortunately, this number takes me to an automated system that requires an account number or SS number to get to a real person. So far, I have been unable to get past their automated system. I have found out that the person is using the actual bank routing number and account number, not a debit card number, and making weekly payments on a credit card in their name. I should have mentioned that this account had only been opened less than 2 months when this occured. The payments were in increasing amounts beginning on 12/6 with $25, 12/14 with $75, 12/21 with $150 and 12/29 with another $150. This is US Bank and they advertise on TV that they have fraud protection for their customers. If this is their fraud protection, I'd rather do without it. I have been talking to other people who have had problems with unauthorized charges against their accounts and (in both cases they had accounts at other banks) their banks reversed the charges immediately, and never charged them overdraft fees. Needless to say, I will change banks as soon as I can get some money to open a new account and will tell everyone I know not to use US Bank! My granddaughter had ordered checks from a company the bank recommended. I am wondering if someone at this business was using the account number. All her checks are accounted for and she doesn't carry them at school. We can't think of any way for someone to access her account number.

[JETX]

Originally Posted by Breezy90

The fraud department has given me an 800 number for the company withdrawing the funds, a company called "Service 10". Unfortunately, this number takes me to an automated system that requires an account number or SS number to get to a real person. So far, I have been unable to get past their automated system. I have found out that the person is using the actual bank routing number and account number, not a debit card number, and making weekly payments on a credit card in their name. I should have mentioned that this account had only been opened less than 2 months when this occured. The payments were in increasing amounts beginning on 12/6 with $25, 12/14 with $75, 12/21 with $150 and 12/29 with another $150. This is US Bank and they advertise on TV that they have fraud protection for their customers. If this is their fraud protection, I'd rather do without it.

Sorry, but based on your post, it still seems unlikely that this is a completely random circumstance. The 'merchant' had to get your information from somewhere.... as it is unlikely that they just picked it out of the air.

I have been talking to other people who have had problems with unauthorized charges against their accounts and (in both cases they had accounts at other banks) their banks reversed the charges immediately, and never charged them overdraft fees.

There are simply too many variables in these schemes to try to rely on what might have happened to others. I also have to think, based on your posts, that your bank is suspicious (as I am). There is likely more to this than you know.

In any case, go to the bank and CLOSE the account. Give them a WRITTEN n notice detailing the problems you are having and that you will not be responsible for ANY additional transactions on that account that are NOT approved by you in writing. The bank has a fiduciary obligation to abide by YOUR rules.... as it is YOUR money in their care.

[cjbrown929]

Originally Posted by JETX

From your own post:
"I contacted the bank"
"I contacted the fraud division"
"I pulled up the account on the internet"
"They sent me papers to fill out, which we did"
"I called again"
"I told her I would fax the paperwork again"
"I went on the internet to check the account and it was gone."
"I have been at the bank or called every day"

That is why I told you to go TO the bank and talk with someone of authority.

To the op: forgive me, I just hate seeing people being treated disdainfully. Like J's earlier advice "Get off your ass and go TO the bank..." Very professional.

Guess he/she didn't read the last line that they quoted above, "I HAVE BEEN AT THE BANK or called EVERY DAY" etc (my emphasis added)

So, jet, what part of "I have been at the bank ..."etc was confusing? Perhaps a remedial reading class is in order...

[JETX]

Originally Posted by cjbrown929

To the op: forgive me, I just hate seeing people being treated disdainfully. Like J's earlier advice "Get off your ass and go TO the bank..." Very professional.

Guess he/she didn't read the last line that they quoted above, "I HAVE BEEN AT THE BANK or called EVERY DAY" etc (my emphasis added)

So, jet, what part of "I have been at the bank ..."etc was confusing? Perhaps a remedial reading class is in order...

See what I mean. This idiot offers NOTHING but whining and complaining on this forum.. even when he has to make it up.

[cjbrown929]

I don't have to make up a thing, jet, just quote you quoting the op.

Can you explain for this forum what you mean?

The op's statement that they had either "been to" or "called" the bank on a daily basis seems to speak for itself. Please share your interpretation.

[cjbrown929]

Originally Posted by JETX

From your own post:
"I contacted the bank"
"I contacted the fraud division"
"I pulled up the account on the internet"
"They sent me papers to fill out, which we did"
"I called again"
"I told her I would fax the paperwork again"
"I went on the internet to check the account and it was gone."
"I have been at the bank or called every day"

That is why I told you to go TO the bank and talk with someone of authority.

I had to repost it to make sure you understood what my point was. You see, you highlighted certain words or phrases from 8 sentences posted by the op, apparently to emphasize that they needed to actually visit the bank in question.

The last sentence you quote from, however, notes that the op has indeed "gotten off" his or her "ass" by either calling or actually traveling to the bank "every day".

I apologize if I misunderstood your meaning, and would appreciate if you could explain for the forum what exactly you meant.

Thank you.

[JETX]

Originally Posted by cjbrown929

I apologize....

Apology accepted. Now move on.