WTF?!? Banking Sunk to a New Low

Signwatcher

Signwatcher

Has No Life - Lives on TB
DH opened an account at a branch of the financial institution ranked 21 in the US in 2021, recently.

He went to deposit into the account the next week and after a while the Teller comes back and informs him they closed the account and sent him a check for the balance in the mail... because he DIDN'T GET THEM HIS SOCIAL SECURITY CARD.

WHAT?! THE ?! BLOODY?! HELL??!!

It's NOT to be used for ID!!

So the payment I made to the electric company is screwed up. He can't get his direct deposit now because they closed the account.

He got the check finally and went into that branch to cash it AND...they wanted a $10 fee for cashing it EVEN THOUGH IT WAS THEIR CHECK and THEY closed the account!!! The "manager" wouldn't override the $10 charge!!!

AGAIN...WTBH?!?!

He was smoking hot by the time he got home. Having been in the banking field long enough to know the games they play, we went to the Bank this morning.

I had him sign the check over to me. I had his license in my hand and I have accounts there. So in I went. But the teller (I'm NOT capitalizing the word teller because she doesn't deserve it) wouldn't cash it.

I told her this was shitty (I rarely use coarse terminology like that, but I was getting REALLY ticked off about how UN-accomodating they were being to a customer(s)) and to just deposit it into my account. Then I would simply withdraw the $500.

Well...she couldn't do that WITHOUT HIM BEING THERE!!! SERIOUSLY?!?! I know it can be done. She just wanted to be a PITA.

She made him come in so she could inform him face-to-face that the check was going into an account he wasn't a signer on.

So I talked him into NOT saying anything and he went in while I stayed outside with the dogs (who were in the car).

He came in, she informed him of me putting his check in an account he's not a signer on. He uttered on word: PERFECT. Bless his pea picking heart!

I go back in and she proceeds to tell me that the funds would be available in two days. I told her I had reciprocating funds in the account. She fills out the deposit slip and then the withdrawal slip, which I signed.

She gives me the cash, I take my receipts and walk out the door.

The kicker: She put it in and out of the account that DOESN'T have reciprocal funds in it!

It's all a big bunch of hooey.

So I got a call from DS and he requested a loan until the beginning of next month. I went to a different branch of the offensive financial institution. I deposit money into his account through the drive thru.

As I'm leaving, I notice a group of about six or eight men of dark complexion...Hispanic , Middle Eastern, I'm not sure which, but I think that THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO SHOW A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD to open their accounts. They were smiling young men with NO women and/or children in sight. Illegals...I'd bet my dentures on it.

It's gonna be SUCH a pain to change banks...sigh.
 
Sozo

Sozo

Insignificant Contributor
They're crooks and they know it.
It was probably 20 years ago I decided to close an account and they told me there was a $35 fee to close an account.
I had about $800 in the account, so I said fine - I don't want to close the account.

I want to withdraw $799.99 (or whatever the amount was that left a penny in the account).
He said you have to maintain a minimum balance or there would be a $3 monthly fee. I said that's fine, and took my money.

And believe it or not, they sent me an ever increasing bill for the next 3 years!
$3/mo for not having enough in the account, plus additional late fees and other charges.
That bank doesn't even exist now.
 
P

Pinecone

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Ha! I went to my (major) bank to deposit a US Treasury check. They told me I could have x number of dollars that day and the majority the next day. I said it was from the US Gov. If it wasn't good, we're all in deep shit.

The young teller told me that I could just cash it and then deposit it. Had to get the manager, but that is what they did, and then I had them give me a portion of it in cash. Another teller older than him groused that if the check wasn't good they would take it all from my account. He also said that the government needed to deposit those funds into their bank. I just let that one go and just looked at him, holding my tongue. I hope the young teller didn't get in trouble, but I told them I had time to wait and I was doing this just to make a point and to be contrary.

So, lesson learned. Instead of depositing checks, just cash them on the spot and then deposit the "cash" back into your account so that it's all available immediately. They don't like it. Tough shit.
 
T

Thinwater

Firearms Manufacturer
It makes one want to return, safely with a mask, hoodie gloves and sunglasses at O dark thirty with no phone and inject epoxy into their locks on all of their doors. Let them try and open up the next morning. Naturally it would be on video so I would never do such a thing but if I did I would park a distance away where there are no cameras and make sure I was all safe with mask and hoodie well before any chance of being recorded.

If one is into chemistry certain chemicals can do wonders to ATM machines, but they always have the best cameras and audio so never do that.
 
Tristan

Tristan

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Sozo said:
They're crooks and they know it.
It was probably 20 years ago I decided to close an account and they told me there was a $35 fee to close an account.
I had about $800 in the account, so I said fine - I don't want to close the account.

I want to withdraw $799.99 (or whatever the amount was that left a penny in the account).
He said you have to maintain a minimum balance or there would be a $3 monthly fee. I said that's fine, and took my money.

And believe it or not, they sent me an ever increasing bill for the next 3 years!
$3/mo for not having enough in the account, plus additional late fees and other charges.
That bank doesn't even exist now.
Click to expand...


You're my hero!

:lol:
 
S

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
Thinwater said:
It makes one want to return, safely with a mask, hoodie gloves and sunglasses at O dark thirty with no phone and inject epoxy into their locks on all of their doors. Let them try and open up the next morning. Naturally it would be on video so I would never do such a thing but if I did I would park a distance away where there are no cameras and make sure I was all safe with mask and hoodie well before any chance of being recorded.

If one is into chemistry certain chemicals can do wonders to ATM machines, but they always have the best cameras and audio so never do that.
Click to expand...
And put a stone in your shoe and some "padding" under your hoodie...

Summerthyme
 
Kathy in FL

Kathy in FL

Administrator
_______________
It isn't a matter of customer service alone. There are a bunch of new, and/or newly enforced, banking regs. Every bank, including the biggest, are being forced to follow these rules with a ginormous OR ELSE hanging over their heads like a guillotine.

Trust me, we've been opening new accounts the last several months trying to cover bases that are more and more difficult to cover having to do with a large customer base that live a cash-only life because they've screwed up their credit so badly, or they have no credit for whatever reason. We've also had large banks close our accounts (newly opened) ... but it wasn't the branch doing it, it was their corporate back room which is run by the feds. Credit unions are under the same crunch.

The SS card isn't about ID, it is about taxes. And they are allowed to require it for that reason.
 
T

Thinwater

Firearms Manufacturer
Under Obama's "Operation Choke Point" I had accounts closed, credit lines cancelled credit card processing cancelled, insurance cancelled and so on, for having a federal firearms license making guns. They nearly shut us down. It took Bidens ATF to finally do it.

Payback will be a ,.........

It will happen.
 
Toosh

Toosh

Veteran Member
In a situation like this I only feel better when I go full scorched earth:

1) Small claims court - theft for the amount of money they refuse to give you, plus time and mileage for multiple trips, plus expenses related to bounced checks and mental anguish.
2) Written complaint with better business bureau.
3) Written complaint with state bank commissioner, sent registered mail with return receipt.
4) Every family member and good friend "shares" your social media posting about your experience.
5) Opinion piece written in the local newspaper.

No threats. No promises. Just recap your experience and what doing business like this cost you.
 
sy32478

sy32478

Veteran Member
Yup. Years ago I closed out my BOA accounts and moved to the credit union 3 doors down the road. When they asked why I straight up told them that their new policy of providing mortgages for illegal aliens. I said it pretty loudly to make sure that plenty of others overheard.
 
W

WalknTrot

Veteran Member
Blacknarwhal said:
Definitely a good idea to stick to the smaller banks and credit unions.
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This. We've hashed this out a million times. Small, locally owned banks or member owned credit unions. They value their customers much more highly and in general are easier to communicate with.

Also, you have to recognize that the laws change and noose always gets tighter (surprise!). Most of the time they aren't being a-holes, they are just following the law.

Employee attitude and lack of customer deference/service/courteous information is gone the way of the Dodo - until people get hungry and value their damned jobs again.
 
phloydius

phloydius

Veteran Member
Kathy in FL said:
The SS card isn't about ID, it is about taxes. And they are allowed to require it for that reason.
Click to expand...

Correct. A few additional notes:

It is all about taxes and fighting "terrorism" and money laundering / banking crimes.

Since President GW Bush in 2001, KYC (Know Your Customer) is mandatory for all financial institutions (like banks).

Effectively, for most American Citizens, banks are required to get the SSN for the account holder.

Although technically a SSN is not required by law to be provided for a bank account, but enough identification to link the customer to who is responsible for paying the IRS is required. A TIN (Tax Identification Number) and some other forms of ID can be used. However, arguably the SSN is less invasive than some of the alternatives.
 
Blacknarwhal

Blacknarwhal

Let's Go Brandon!
WalknTrot said:
Employee attitude and lack of customer deference/service/courteous information is gone the way of the Dodo - until people get hungry and value their damned jobs again.
Click to expand...

...a mite tone-deaf.

CORP/BIZ - Corporate Execs Call Workers "Lazy," Wish 'Economic Misery' To Remind Them Who's Boss

...and they wonder why people hate them. Fair use cited so on and so forth. https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/corporate-execs-call-workers-lazy-wish-economic-misery-remind-them-whos-boss Corporate Execs Call Workers "Lazy," Wish 'Economic Misery' To Remind Them Who's Boss by Tyler Durden...
www.timebomb2000.com www.timebomb2000.com
 
9

9idrr

Veteran Member
phloydius said:
Correct. A few additional notes:

It is all about taxes and fighting "terrorism" and money laundering / banking crimes.

Since President GW Bush in 2001, KYC (Know Your Customer) is mandatory for all financial institutions (like banks).

Effectively, for most American Citizens, banks are required to get the SSN for the account holder.

Although technically a SSN is not required by law to be provided for a bank account, but enough identification to link the customer to who is responsible for paying the IRS is required. A TIN (Tax Identification Number) and some other forms of ID can be used. However, arguably the SSN is less invasive than some of the alternatives.
Click to expand...
How invasive might it be when they ask to see all your piercings, scars and tatts? Hell, they could start puttin' ya on the scale and tell ya to lose weight or ya can't have your money. :whistle:
 
tnphil

tnphil

Don't screw with an engineer
The bank that holds my mom's estate account is nice, friendly and helpful. They are helping me by redeeming savings bonds to be deposited into the estate account. The problem is that I had 108 bonds and they will only redeem 5 at a time. They are a bit more time-consuming than a simple deposit... They suggested I make an afternoon appointment during which we might be able to do more at a time. I sure hope so, I don't want to go there every day for a month...
 
John Green

John Green

Veteran Member
I see a few comments about using small local banks but I no longer think that is a good idea. They are trying to collapse the small banks so only the big players are around to control everything like CBDC.
I would think Credit Unions are still a good idea but only keep enough money in those accounts to pay bills.
 
Signwatcher

Signwatcher

Has No Life - Lives on TB
phloydius said:
Correct. A few additional notes:

It is all about taxes and fighting "terrorism" and money laundering / banking crimes.

Since President GW Bush in 2001, KYC (Know Your Customer) is mandatory for all financial institutions (like banks).

Effectively, for most American Citizens, banks are required to get the SSN for the account holder.

Although technically a SSN is not required by law to be provided for a bank account, but enough identification to link the customer to who is responsible for paying the IRS is required. A TIN (Tax Identification Number) and some other forms of ID can be used. However, arguably the SSN is less invasive than some of the alternatives.
Click to expand...

He had no problem giving them the number. They wanted to see the card. It got lost in the shuffle when we moved.
 
Signwatcher

Signwatcher

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I know!! For Pete's sake!

The snotty teller told me that I had to show my SS card when I opened my accounts with them.

I told her I wrote the number down on the form. I NEVER presented my SS card.

I don't like what they have morphed into AT all!
 
Kathy in FL

Kathy in FL

Administrator
_______________
Signwatcher said:
I know!! For Pete's sake!

The snotty teller told me that I had to show my SS card when I opened my accounts with them.

I told her I wrote the number down on the form. I NEVER presented my SS card.

I don't like what they have morphed into AT all!
Click to expand...

Thank the feds for that. The banks are required to see an original card or a paper from SSA due to identity theft, taxes, and all the other excuses they give.
 
B

bluelady

Veteran Member
Kathy in FL said:
Thank the feds for that. The banks are required to see an original card or a paper from SSA due to identity theft, taxes, and all the other excuses they give.
Click to expand...
Can't SS cards and statements be forged pretty easily? I would think there's some kind of database available to banks that would alert to name/number mismatch. Not that I'm fond of that idea, but we're long past much privacy.
 
Signwatcher

Signwatcher

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Kathy in FL said:
Thank the feds for that. The banks are required to see an original card or a paper from SSA due to identity theft, taxes, and all the other excuses they give.
Click to expand...

When did this start? I never had to show mine when my Uncle put me on his accounts in 2020.
 
meezy

meezy

I think I can...
I'm not a fan of my bank. But the branch manager of the one I use is very very nice and helpful. Any time I've had trouble, I just ask for him. He usually waves at me when I come in. I've told him many times that he's the only reason I keep my accounts there.
 
W

WalknTrot

Veteran Member
John Green said:
I see a few comments about using small local banks but I no longer think that is a good idea. They are trying to collapse the small banks so only the big players are around to control everything like CBDC.
I would think Credit Unions are still a good idea but only keep enough money in those accounts to pay bills.
Click to expand...
They are all Federally insured. If you are dumb enough to keep more than $250,000 in one account, you deserve what you get.
 
9

9idrr

Veteran Member
WalknTrot said:
They are all Federally insured. If you are dumb enough to keep more than $250,000 in one account, you deserve what you get.
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Well, that didn't seen to apply to those with accounts at SVB, as I recall. Of course, Silicon Valley folks probably do kick in a goodly amount to Dem candidates and their PACs.
Oh, wait, My Heavens, why would I ever think that? /S/
 
W

WalknTrot

Veteran Member
9idrr said:
Well, that didn't seen to apply to those with accounts at SVB, as I recall. Of course, Silicon Valley folks probably do kick in a goodly amount to Dem candidates and their PACs.
Oh, wait, My Heavens, why would I ever think that? /S/
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No idea what SVB is, but always look for that little sticker in the door/window of the financial institution you are entering.
FDIC or NCUA.
 
9

9idrr

Veteran Member
WalknTrot said:
No idea what SVB is, but always look for that little sticker in the door/window of the financial institution you are entering.
FDIC or NCUA.
Click to expand...
SVB was Silicon Valley Bank, in the Bay Area. Went Tango Uniform about the time Sam Bankman-Fried and his FTX scam finally got taken down. Word was that many account holders were well over the $250K limit but a decision was made that their losses would be covered. Of course, one might almost think that such accommodations are only arranged for wealthy, connected techies but we all know that all animals are equal, right? Well, except for those who're more equal.
 
Kathy in FL

Kathy in FL

Administrator
_______________
Signwatcher said:
When did this start? I never had to show mine when my Uncle put me on his accounts in 2020.
Click to expand...

It has been around a while but they've only started to enforce it in the last year or so ... or so a Chase Bank rep told us, and a PNC rep, and a Truist Rep, and a Wells Fargo Rep, and a DFCU rep, and a Bank OZK rep, and a Regions rep, and ... and ... and ...

So it isn't just one bank talking about it.
 
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