I hate my bank.

[Never]

On the first of October I deposited money to my account. I just got a letter from my bank stating that this is 'unusual activity' and that none of it will be available until the 17th. To add insult to injury they also sent along another letter informing me that the two purchases I made three days ago bounced and that they'll be charging me an insufficient funds fee of 50 bucks on both. Now I have to call my stepfather and tell ask him to send me money right after he sent me money.

Why do banks do this? It wasn’t even that large an amount. Couldn’t they have told me about it in less than a weeks time? Couldn’t they have at least covered the purchases I did make?

Sorry, I’m just annoyed and my laundry needs to be cleaned.

 

[Aquila]

On the first of October I deposited money to my account. I just got a letter from my bank stating that this is 'unusual activity' and that none of it will be available until the 17th. To add insult to injury they also sent along another letter informing me that the two purchases I made three days ago bounced and that they'll be charging me an insufficient funds fee of 50 bucks on both. Now I have to call my stepfather and tell ask him to send me money right after he sent me money.

Why do banks do this? It wasn’t even that large an amount. Couldn’t they have told me about it in less than a weeks time? Couldn’t they have at least covered the purchases I did make?

Sorry, I’m just annoyed and my laundry needs to be cleaned.

I've had this happen before with the bank of america, go in and talk to the branch manager at the bank. The one I talked to was very nice to me. She even waived my monthly check fees for the month.

 

[curious2c]

Banks are always on the lookout for ways to keep a buck or so. I feel that they should be forced to stop this ludicrous (sp) bs charges and 'activity' charges and stoppages. If the money is there, its fucking there!

 

[sexy-girl]

gee that stinks ... i get annoyed that when i pay cash into my bank that it doesnt clear to the following day

cheques its 3 days (5 days if its not your own branch) i've never heard of as long as you're having to face though sounds weird


im sure its just that they are making interest on your money as it is clearing

 

[Bindii]

Did you deposit cash or a cheque?

If you deposited cash then they have to cover your puchases and have no right to dock your account.

 

[lavender]

 

[ma_guy]

Don't let the bank bullshit you. There are limits set in law as to how long they can put the deposit on "hold" waiting for any check to clear. Unless the deposit was a foreign check 15 days is waaaay beyond that limit.

Do some research on the WWW and go in and give them some shit. When they get all apologetic demand that they refund the bounced check fees amongst other things.

Edited to add a few links:
BankRate.com
Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute

 

[Never]

Cheque unfortunately. I called my stepfather. He’s going to scream at them for a few hours and then send me cash.

 

[Mrs Christophe]

i have never heard of this before, can't believe a bank can do that. need to switch to a credit union if possible. they don't hold anything.

 

[Bindii]

Was it an international cheque? cause that long to clear seems a little starnge to me.

Why not ask your father to put the cash in your bank account (another if you have it) that way you won't have to wait for it to arrive.

 

[Never]

Nope, it wasn't an international cheque.

Yeah, I'll ask him to do just that when he calls me back.

 

[FallenSeraph]

You should at least talk to the manager first and if he/she doesn't do anything about it, bitch, bitch and then bitch some more (it'll relieve the frustration even if it doens't solve anything) Personally, nothing like that ever happen to me and my deposits are VERY rare if any and they don't say anything about "unusual activity" so it's probably their fault for not clearing things up

 

[Silverluna]

just being cute...

I hate your bank too! Nice to see you Never.


Seriously, I am sorry to hear that, hopefully it will work out ok.

 

[lavender]

 

[Bindii]

Nope, it wasn't an international cheque.

Yeah, I'll ask him to do just that when he calls me back.

If it wasn't an international cheque then I'd be onto the bank straight away asking them why its going to take so long to clear!

One thing I've learnt about banks is that if you keep your mouth shut they'll take every cent that they can, if you open your mouth then they are a little bit more careful with their actions. I've had many 'bank fee's' refunded back to me just by going down there and having my say.

 

[Never]

The bank itself is about an hour away. Like I said, I told my stepfather. He's very handy that way.

 

[seXieleXie]

.

 

[modest mouse]

Wouldnt it be easier for you to call or visit the central bank location? Rather than a man a thousand miles away?

 

[Agent99]

In most instances, if you talk with the manager, they are willing to remove the fee.

To avoid this in the future, sign up for Overdraft protection.

 

[Never]

I have overdraft protection, how would that cause my bank to not hold my money?

modest mouse, easy for him or easy for me?

 

[Debbie]

If this happened to me I would change banks. I think this sucks.
If I deposit money in my account it is available immediately.

 

[Never]

It's too late to change banks.

 

[Debbie]

It's too late to change banks.

I understand. Things here have got to the point with banks that if you open a new one they require at least $100 plus. I think that kiwibank is less.

A credit union doesn't require a deposit lol apart from $1.

But changing banks is expensive and probably not practical in this case.

Hope things sort themselves out and you don't experience anymore problems.

 

[Lancecastor]

Are you sure the "unusual activity" they noticed was banking related?

 

[Cheyenne]

I have overdraft protection, how would that cause my bank to not hold my money?

deja vu.

If you have overdraft protection, the idea is that your checks won't ever bounce and you won't get those $50 fees. Something sounds wrong, are you sure you have it? Do you have a savings account tied to your checking about to give the overdraft protection?

I have never had to pay an overdraft fee. The few times there has been a mistake in my lifetime, I've called the bank and talked to someone to help me. They will look at your record and then decide you are normally a good customer and this is an obvious fluke. Especially if you have the money there, and your checks only bounced due to the hold on the check you deposited.

Call the bank yourself and be polite. You will get farther than having someone from miles away call and be irritated.