Charter One Bank Stole My Money!?

Question

Charter One Bank Stole My Money!

Charter One Not Your Typical Bank.

I was charged $1599 in just five weeks in insufficient fund fees from Charter One Bank. In Chicago, Illinois. I contacted Charter One bank regarding these excessive overdraft fees. I spoke to, Chris Graszer, regional assistant branch manager. I asked Mr. Graszer was there any way they could reverse about $700 for two weeks so my rent check could go through the bank and Charter One could put the fees back on my account in two weeks when I get paid again. He said no, and that the only solution he had for me was to close the account. I told Mr. Graszer I was a long time customer for almost 20 years. I have had frequent problems with insufficient charges of the past couple of years. In the past five weeks I have Charter One took $1599 in insufficient fund fees out of my account. I am a single mom who brings home about $1600 a month the bank fees ate two of my last paychecks. I had no money for rent, gas, food etc. I borrowed money from family members, my retirement account at work and any money I had went into the account but it ate my money. To survive I wrote checks for food and gas that of course, bounced but I did not have choice in order to feed my child and get to work. I contacted Charter One on September 10, 2008 and spoke with a Chris Graszer and explained my dire situation. He told me he would see what he could do for my and call back. He never called back even after I left three voice mails. I called and called until he picked up on September 12, 2008 and he was very rude and said my rent check will just have to bounce and that it is my fault you are spending more money than you earn. He told me I should close the account because I could not manage the account, so close it. I explained the bank makes money from poor people like me off the fees they charge and that you have been for years. He said he was not going to anything to help me. He said I had used my debit card twice in two weeks. I explained when I used the card my account was positive and I been putting all my money in Charter One so, I had to use the card to buy food to live and I must have the medical supplies for my sick daughter, the total charge was about $75 it this is only because I was desperate. He said we are not reversing the fees ever for me and told me to close the account. I explained my rent check was going to bounce and he said that was not his problem and told me to come up with another solution. I only was asking Mr. Graszer to remove the fees for two weeks until my next paycheck so; I could feed my family, pay my rent and get to work. The fee reversal would have only been temporary the bank would not have lost any money. They have made thousand of dollars off me in the past two years in overdraft fees; I do not understand why they would not want me to keep the account to make more money off me, not to mention help one of their loyal customers I admit I probably don’t make enough money to pay my bills and they charged me fees even when my account was positive and let charges go through even if there was not enough money to pay the charge. The account got out of hand because a retailer was to defer my billing date until November but they did not and my account just got out of hand. I am not a bad person just a poor person.


Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I would say yes you are wrong, but this guy is making a huge mistake. If you are going to pay them back in a week or two when you get paid, and you have always paid your OD Fees before, why is he getting rid of someone that is good for a good cash flow? Basically he is getting rid of a customer that pays the bank. they do no work, and get paid. He made a mistake.



That being said you are trying to learn from mistakes, stuff happens and I feel like everyone deserves a chance. I hope you better luck and a break to get ahead.

Answer 2

Sorry to tell you, but if you overdraw your account, the bank has every right to charge you a fee for every single item that comes through. The bank did not steal your money. You simply failed to be responsible enought to keep up with your balance. Rich, or poor, you will get charged.



When you use your debit card, the funds may show available in your account at the time of the purchase, but the transaction will not necessarily clear on that day. If you have other transactions or checks floating around, they could clear before that debit card transaction. This is why it is SO important to know how much money you really have in your account.



If your account is still overdrawn, and you are still writing checks, you will still get overdraft fees. The bank is not obligated to show you any compassion, ie. allowing your rent check to clear. Also, just because someone you made a payment to said they would defer a payment until a later date doesn't mean they actually will, and they have no obligation to.



The man you spoke with should not have been rude to you, but you cannot expect a bank to refund fees if you overdraw your account.

Answer 3

Hmmm? You say: "and getting the account closed JUST when the money was drawn from an ATM" Are you telling us that the crook who "stole" your debit card withdrew money from an ATM? How did they know your PIN number? It only works at an ATM if they punch in your PIN number. And if they punch in the wrong PIN number 3 times, the machine will eat or totally reject that card until the bank is contacted. Did you know the "crook"? Almost sounds like an inside job where you and the "crook" conspired to rip off the bank. Maybe the bank is investigating your allegation of a "stolen" card. How did the "crook" know your PIN number?

Answer 4

Besides poor you are dumb. You knew that you couldn't operate on uncollected funds. Maybe you're causing your own poorness.

Answer 5

don't write checks you know won't pay??



and that bank didn't steal your money.