Online Banking Question

[pikespl]

What is the name of your state? Nebraska
I had made a mistake on my account and was going to end up with a lot of overdrafts, so I chose to stop payments on several checks. I got in touch with those people that I stopped payment on and explained what I did and told them I would pay them on my next payday. I was watching my account on the internet to make sure I would be okay untill payday and within a couple days later, I couldn't get into my account so I called my bank to see if there was a problem, they told me that they locked me out of my internet access to make sure that I didn't stop payment on any more checks. My question is can they do this and is it legal. I am disabled and having some money problems and I live 25 miles from my bank and I balance my account regulary. I am on a very tight budget and I use the internet a lot to access my account to make sure I don't have a negative balance. Them locking me out has caused me a hardship and several overdrafts, which I could have prevented if I were able to keep a close eye on my account.
Thanks!

[Veronica1228]

Originally Posted by pikespl

What is the name of your state? Nebraska
I had made a mistake on my account and was going to end up with a lot of overdrafts, so I chose to stop payments on several checks. I got in touch with those people that I stopped payment on and explained what I did and told them I would pay them on my next payday. I was watching my account on the internet to make sure I would be okay untill payday and within a couple days later, I couldn't get into my account so I called my bank to see if there was a problem, they told me that they locked me out of my internet access to make sure that I didn't stop payment on any more checks. My question is can they do this and is it legal. I am disabled and having some money problems and I live 25 miles from my bank and I balance my account regulary. I am on a very tight budget and I use the internet a lot to access my account to make sure I don't have a negative balance. Them locking me out has caused me a hardship and several overdrafts, which I could have prevented if I were able to keep a close eye on my account.
Thanks!

Online banking is an additional service that most banks offer for free as a courtesy. If you bank feels that you have abused this priviledge it is their option to revoke your access. Just as they can close you account, cancel your check/debit/atm card etc.

Keep in mind that there are really only 3 valid reasons for stopping payment on a check. If a check is lost, stolen, or issued in error. Stopping payment on a check because you made an error balancing your checkbook is definitely not one of them. By stopping payment on those checks you could get yourself into serious trouble with the payees. If they have been agreeable, then consider youself extremely lucky because they actually have grounds for a suit.

Oh, I just thought of one more valid reason for stopping payment on a check and that is if it is stale-dated.