Help! my credit union just raped me

[Nhra Firebird]

if it's really that bad and you can't get anywhere with the vice pres or other higher channels then start looking for a new place and when you take your money out let the teller know why you are doing it and let the branch vp know why you are doing it as well.

most banks have a million vp's... It's just a title they give out to keep people happy.... They give out fancy titles instead of raises

[SeVeReDiStOrTiOn]

I dunno man i'm on the fence with this one. Even my small CU has a great online where I can transfer money instantly and all that...i'm sure your's does too. Point being there's not much excuse to overdraft now-a-days.

On the other hand i've done it once and was only charged $5...$30 for each one is wayy too much. Take them to small claims like Frost said and then close your account after your direct deposit is changed over which takes a few weeks. I'd close it on principle alone.

[Nhra Firebird]

My God does everyone posting in this thread WORK FOR A BANK??? I ask because you guys sure are parroting the party lines and 'official statements'.

You can absolutely get those overdraft fees back with just a little work on your part.

This is the answer to EVERYONE with overdraft fees: Small claims court

You can run down and file a suit for under $100 and you can add it's cost to the cost that you are seeking to have refunded. What is the bank really going to do... send a representative all the way to your town to argue (most states won't even allow the representative to be a lawyer) to the judge? Nope. Several years back I had a second account that was supposed to roll over and pull from savings if it ever got low. I signed up for the service. I never got it, but I did get FIVE OVERDRAFTS in one day because of it. The bank refused to refund it (It's a MADE UP FEE, it's not like it costs them ANYTHING) so I filed a claim. I got all of the overdrafts back plus the cost of court. You can too.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4679731_over...-refunded.html
http://consumerist.com/2009/03/threa...-refunded.html
http://www.timtheoverdraftexpert.com...es-refunded-19
http://consumerist.com/2008/01/suing...-and-easy.html

I would just pay the fines and be done with it... He was at fault so why bring the courts into it? The court system is fucked up enough.

[Ramairgod84]

the point is i was relying on the card coming up declined. They changed the policy without telling any of the members. And out of no where, BOOM, $150 in overdraft fees. I hated that shit with banks, and that's one of the reasons why i went with a credit union. none of that bank bullshit. It's not a thing of me being negligent, or being at fault, it's just how i have it set up so the card declining is somewhat of a "safety net"

[DrMilhouse]

Go higher and if they won't resolve it, go to a different credit union.

I'm not sure about the not having to let you know about it. You might wanna check with an attorney on that, but I'm guessing if they're gonna make a change like that, they have to notify you.

[Nhra Firebird]

Go higher and if they won't resolve it, go to a different credit union.

I'm not sure about the not having to let you know about it. You might wanna check with an attorney on that, but I'm guessing if they're gonna make a change like that, they have to notify you.

The Attorney would end up costing more then the 150 in fines. If you can't get anywhere with the CR I would pay it and move on.

[gwballin]

If you can’t come to an amicable solution with the credit union, close the account but make sure you get it in cash, small denominations, quarters preferably. Bring a sock from home and go ape shit all over the place.

[KahanaReef]

The Attorney would end up costing more then the 150 in fines. If you can't get anywhere with the CR I would pay it and move on.

That's what I say too. Sometimes it's just not worth it. And, banks, Credit Unions... they are handling things different now. They are not as worried about customer service these days.

[Nhra Firebird]

That's what I say too. Sometimes it's just not worth it. And, banks, Credit Unions... they are handling things different now. They are not as worried about customer service these days.

and who wants to give money to Jeff.

[KahanaReef]

and who wants to give money to Jeff.

Yeah!

[Smkn_TA]

Don't rip on banks...I overdrafted my checking account at the bank twice in the last year by mistake. Both times they were supposed to charge overdraft but never did. =)

[KahanaReef]

Don't rip on banks...I overdrafted my checking account at the bank twice in the last year by mistake. Both times they were supposed to charge overdraft but never did. =)

Just know that anytime they can make a mistake in your favor, they can also make one in theirs

[SeVeReDiStOrTiOn]

the point is i was relying on the card coming up declined. They changed the policy without telling any of the members. And out of no where, BOOM, $150 in overdraft fees. I hated that shit with banks, and that's one of the reasons why i went with a credit union. none of that bank bullshit. It's not a thing of me being negligent, or being at fault, it's just how i have it set up so the card declining is somewhat of a "safety net"

Obviously the card won't decline since you're getting overdraft fees..they'll just take it out of your savings and charge ya $30.

[86 IROC-Z]

If you can’t come to an amicable solution with the credit union, close the account but make sure you get it in cash, small denominations, quarters preferably. Bring a sock from home and go ape shit all over the place.

Hahaha, do this OP.

[JonB]

the point is i was relying on the card coming up declined. They changed the policy without telling any of the members. And out of no where, BOOM, $150 in overdraft fees. I hated that shit with banks, and that's one of the reasons why i went with a credit union. none of that bank bullshit. It's not a thing of me being negligent, or being at fault, it's just how i have it set up so the card declining is somewhat of a "safety net"

Ok now I get why your upset. Guess I just read your first post wrong. I really don't get that either. If I have $0 in my account or not enough money my card should not work and the transaction should be declined. If a credit card is maxed out it will be declined why can't a debit card be declined when there's not enough money in the account? They won't let you walk into the bank and take $2 out of your checking account if you only have $1.50 so why would your debit card be any different. Makes no sense, its just a scam to get more money and total bs if you ask me. Sure they can say its your fault but really IMO its not if I only have $1 in my account why are you letting me spend $1.50 it should be declined.

Obviously the card won't decline since you're getting overdraft fees..they'll just take it out of your savings and charge ya $30.

This pretty much sums it. Its a so called convenience for you that the bank will automatically transfer the money from savings but they sure has hell expect to get paid to do it.

I would just pull my money out on principle. I would also go in and ask for the manager you spoke with and have him personally handle it. Any real manager would not let money walk out the door in today's economy.

[Ramairgod84]

well the thing is, who i spoke to was at the call center somewhere else. I'm soon gonna go down to my bank and ask to speak to a manager. I'll explain how I had it set up and why, and ill ask politely if they'll refund the money. If they wont, I'll ask for the district manager's number. $150 is a lot to me that I dont want to see just walk out the door.

[KahanaReef]

well the thing is, who i spoke to was at the call center somewhere else. I'm soon gonna go down to my bank and ask to speak to a manager. I'll explain how I had it set up and why, and ill ask politely if they'll refund the money. If they wont, I'll ask for the district manager's number. $150 is a lot to me that I dont want to see just walk out the door.

Hey, you've got nothing to lose. Good luck!

[Detroit Power]

They were at fault for a policy change without notification; however, regardless if your account was overdrawn by $0.05, $5.00, or $5,000 the fees are the same, so I wouldn't argue that you "Only overdrew the account by $X.xx"

I'd look into changing the way you do business with yourself as well (keeping the account balance at or close to zero). For what it's worth, I'd start carrying cash, that way there's no chance for this to happen again.



Or, find another bank with more lenient policies. My CU will pull the amount required from savings and charge a $5.00 fee per transaction. Since I check my acount every 2-3 days, the most I've gotten hit for (in rare occassions) was < $20.00.... a small price to pay to not have your credit score affected, IMO.

[SeVeReDiStOrTiOn]

well the thing is, who i spoke to was at the call center somewhere else. I'm soon gonna go down to my bank and ask to speak to a manager. I'll explain how I had it set up and why, and ill ask politely if they'll refund the money. If they wont, I'll ask for the district manager's number. $150 is a lot to me that I dont want to see just walk out the door.

You haven't done that yet? Yea man face to face should have been the first move. Most people in customer service will do anything as long as you don't cause a scene...especially in a quiet bank Just be nice about it at first...I doubt the local CU manager even knows about your situation.

[Ramairgod84]

well i went down, and told the member service officer there what happend, and i had to fill out a thing saying that i want to opt out of the overdraft protection. So I asked to talk to the manager, and she went to go get her...then the manager was on the phone. So the girl came back and said the manager would refund 2 out of the 5...i had to go get my gf from the mall, so i said ok and i took the manager's card. so im gonna go call the manager back and ask if they'll refund at least one more, seeing as im still out $90 for something less than a $10 purchase.

edit- i hate that i almost have to fuckin beg to get my money back..