• FreeAdvice has a new Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, effective May 25, 2018.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our Terms of Service and use of cookies.

Check trouble

Accident - Bankruptcy - Criminal Law / DUI - Business - Consumer - Employment - Family - Immigration - Real Estate - Tax - Traffic - Wills   Please click a topic or scroll down for more.

CarlJay89

Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Iowa

I read a few threads on here and I already have had the majority of my questions answered, but I'm still wondering about a few things.

In my scenario I accidentally used the wrong check book and ended up writing a bad check, a few days later I deposited my tax return into that account and assumed any negative balance would be now positive. I did not mind paying an overdraft fee of $32 for a $17 check since it was my error. Later that week I withdrew the majority of my tax return to use it on bills. Since my main checking account is not with this bank I do not use it very often. A month later I login to my online banking to see that I am negative $90. My bank did not cover the cost of my check and the company to which I wrote the check has been bouncing the check amount back and forth for the last month. My bank has still not covered the cost of the check, I was not contacted about this at all. I feel like this is an attempt to rob me of my hard earned dollar. So far this mistake will have cost me $120, plus I'm not even allowed to close this checking account, which I desperately want to. On top of this $120 the company that is trying to get their money will continue to charge me until they get it so with the bad check fee I'm looking at over $150. What can I do?
 


Antigone*

Senior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Iowa

I read a few threads on here and I already have had the majority of my questions answered, but I'm still wondering about a few things.

In my scenario I accidentally used the wrong check book and ended up writing a bad check, a few days later I deposited my tax return into that account and assumed any negative balance would be now positive. I did not mind paying an overdraft fee of $32 for a $17 check since it was my error. Later that week I withdrew the majority of my tax return to use it on bills. Since my main checking account is not with this bank I do not use it very often. A month later I login to my online banking to see that I am negative $90. My bank did not cover the cost of my check and the company to which I wrote the check has been bouncing the check amount back and forth for the last month. My bank has still not covered the cost of the check, I was not contacted about this at all. I feel like this is an attempt to rob me of my hard earned dollar. So far this mistake will have cost me $120, plus I'm not even allowed to close this checking account, which I desperately want to. On top of this $120 the company that is trying to get their money will continue to charge me until they get it so with the bad check fee I'm looking at over $150. What can I do?
The bank did nothing wrong here. It is your responsibility and only your responsbility to know what has paid. Pay what you owe. You agreed to the NSF/OD charges when you opened the account. You will need to bring the account current in order to close it. If you do not bring it to zero, they can force close the account and report you to ChexSystems ~ you really don't want to go there.
 

CSO286

Senior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Iowa

I read a few threads on here and I already have had the majority of my questions answered, but I'm still wondering about a few things.

In my scenario I accidentally used the wrong check book and ended up writing a bad check, a few days later I deposited my tax return into that account and assumed any negative balance would be now positive. I did not mind paying an overdraft fee of $32 for a $17 check since it was my error. Later that week I withdrew the majority of my tax return to use it on bills. Since my main checking account is not with this bank I do not use it very often. A month later I login to my online banking to see that I am negative $90. My bank did not cover the cost of my check and the company to which I wrote the check has been bouncing the check amount back and forth for the last month. My bank has still not covered the cost of the check, I was not contacted about this at all. I feel like this is an attempt to rob me of my hard earned dollar. So far this mistake will have cost me $120, plus I'm not even allowed to close this checking account, which I desperately want to. On top of this $120 the company that is trying to get their money will continue to charge me until they get it so with the bad check fee I'm looking at over $150. What can I do?
What is happening to you is legitimate.

You can pay the fees, pay the business and pay closer attention to where your money is going.
 

CarlJay89

Member
do the new rules for processing overdraft fees say that you cannot be charged multiple overdraft fees for the same check? Also what do you recommend saying to my personal banker when I meet with them this week? Should have closed this account after they let my SS# and checking account # get stolen.
 

CarlJay89

Member
What is happening to you is legitimate.

You can pay the fees, pay the business and pay closer attention to where your money is going.
So what your saying is that they could have bounced these charges back and forth legitimately until infinity and I would be liable? I'm moving to Canada.
 

Antigone*

Senior Member
do the new rules for processing overdraft fees say that you cannot be charged multiple overdraft fees for the same check? Also what do you recommend saying to my personal banker when I meet with them this week? Should have closed this account after they let my SS# and checking account # get stolen.
The bank is in compliance with the rules. You could always speak to the banker but I can tell you this. If you were in front of me asking me to reverse these fees I'd look at a few things: 1 ~ How do you typically handle your account? 2 ~ How much revenue do I generate from you as a customer on a yearly basis? If you handle your account poorly, and/or if you are not a profitable client to my institution, I would not reverse.
 

CSO286

Senior Member
So what your saying is that they could have bounced these charges back and forth legitimately until infinity and I would be liable? I'm moving to Canada.
Generally they do not. Uusally after an item has been presented three times, the company can and often does pursue other means of collection for a dishonored check--civil and criminal proceedings. Then not only will you have the bank's charges and the business', you will have charges from a collection agency or court.

You can decide what you'd like to pay. Me, I don't even play the float.....

If I am not 100% certain the money is in my account, I do not write the check.

That way I avoid any possible overdrafts. I'm not giving the bank on dime more of my money than I have to!
 

Antigone*

Senior Member
Called my bank and kum n go back again and looks like it just depends on who you talk to, the company billing me agreed to let me pay them directly next week and my bank agreed to reverse partial charges.


ΣΒΔ - I sense a great deal of evil in you


You know its pretty funny, even though some of you were trying your hardest to be dicks, you still helped me. :). Thanks to all who added input
Nothing evil Carl, just telling you how it is. I've reversed many fees in my day. I've also refused to do so ~ it all depends on the situation.

One more piece of advice. A check register, either digital or paper, is the best tool when it comes to day-to-day management of your finances.
 

Zigner

Senior Member, Non-Attorney
I don't know Canadian law, but I'm pretty confident that, even in Canada, you are generally expected to have money in the bank to cover checks (cheques?) that you write.
 

Find the Right Lawyer for Your Legal Issue!

Fast, Free, and Confidential
data-ad-format="auto">
Top