off the subject/Bank problems!!

I'm sorry to hear about your money problems. Actually I have had some issues lately in that area, but I'll tell you about my dealings with Wells Fargo as I like to vent and warn others about them when I get a chance. For years they spelled my name wrong on the account, but not my mothers (I was a minor at the time so it was joint). They never gave me my free box of checks, so when I asked for them it took them 3 or 4 tries to get my name right after they supposedly changed it in the computer and they charged me for all the checks. This caused me to go overdrawn and for them to pull overdraft funds from my credit card with them. I had to go in person and talked to the manager and tell her how much money I should have in each of my accounts and how much money they owed me since she couldn't even compute it. I also received two different ATM cards with different numbers on them and no one could tell me why. I was also told at one point that some cards that were sent to me could be lost in the mail. I'm sorry that does not set well with me. Needless to say I closed all accounts with them except my credit card which I will once its paid off. With dealing with the credit card they charged me a late payment when it was one day late (got it reversed since it was the first time ever) and when it was postmarked the day it was due (didn't bother fighting it that time). I'm sorry but isn't it customary to allow one mess up especially when it is one day or the same day?! I know thats being petty on my part but come on. And they did some illegal stuff concerning my boss' car loan.

So yes switch banks ASAP! I'm now at Washington Mutual and so much happier. Concerning joint accounts, I was able to close my savings and checking joint account that I had with my mom without her knowledge, signing anything, etc... maybe because I was the primary one on the account. Apparently they don't have a problem with your husbands automatic check going into your account so what difference is it if it another type of check? Especially one you both signed? I'd fight them all the way. Go into your closest bank and demand to talk to the manager, thats what I did. Talk to them as calmly as possible and explain everything. That your husband regularly deposits checks in the account, both of you signed it, your name is first, etc... If they don't agree to reverse the charges they say close all my accounts I'm going somewhere else and I'll let everyone else know just how bad of a bank this is. If they do reverse the charges still leave. Wamu is so much better and will let you have $100 of deposited money before it clears and they have free checking for life. SOOOOOO much better than stupid Wells Fargo!

Thanks for letting me rant!

thanks for replying...I will definatley be speaking with a manager! Yes, they accept my husband's direct deposits with his name!!!!! you're right!!! I'm more pissed now than I've ever been (starting to break out in hives!) I have chronic kidney pain/spasms and this is definatly making my pain worse!!!

The only thing I have to add is that instead of looking for a new bank, why don't you consider a credit union? I have worked with a credit union for most of my adult life (checking, savings, mortgage, home equity, credit cards) and have never encountered any of the problems mentioned in this thread. They tend to have a much less capitalistic outlook than banks - much more "member oriented" - more socialized.

Most CUs are open to the public now and offer the same services as banks, I believe. It is worth looking into - I believe you will be impressed and satisfied if you decide to join one.

I sure wish you success in your negotiations with your bank - I think you have a good chance of getting things corrected!

Thank you all for your kind words and understanding. I borrowed $50.00 to get some groceries from a co-worker when she saw me crying. I have called several food banks in my area and I have to have an appt (could take up to 2 hours they said..or more) I unfortunately (or fortunately) have to work all day today (my boss is on vacation and I'm covering for her) so, I'm unable to go today. My husband just got paid on Wed (direct deposit) and they "absorbed" his entire check (for the overdrafts caused by this)...I get paid/and my husband gets paid again next wed  and I/he will be canceling his direct deposits and I'm just going to "cash" my check there and go open another account (I'm still checking into credit unions) at another bank while my "status" is still open at Wells Fargo. I spoke with several different managers at Wells Fargo and while they "sympathize with my situation" they were very unhelpful as how to rectify this situation, they basically said "when you opened your account 5 years ago it was explained that any checks that don't have the account holders name on them  will not be deposited" funny...for the last 5 years they've accepted MANY checks made out to me/husband or just my husband..but they said "federal issued checks are different"...whatever, it still leaves us 500 in the hole (just going to let them take me to court if they have to-I will NOT give them another penny) My husband (who is somewhat of a rebel-says we should go w/draw 500 (the amount of his paycheck) and get "acessed" another overdraft fee, but he will have his paycheck back! I'm too chicken...all this because they didn't inform me of any problems with this check (it's my money!) and they took it upon themselves to send it to "processing center" in Arizona...then send it back to my address when someone couldn't "verify my husband's name on my account"...all this waiting, mailing back and forth..what happens if it gets "lost" on the way from Arizona? They told me to contact the IRS and issue a "stop check"and issue another one or direct deposit it into my account, so they can deduct all the overdraft fees !!!! My kids eyes when I told them we would not be doing anything untill we get this check back....(we had planned to take Dad out for fathers day/movies,etc) I know that's not a "necessity" but little kids look forward to this stuff....It breaks my heart that this bank could make this decision without contacting me in any way!!!

Portey reading more of your situation I'm baffled as to what exactly the bank thought they were doing this whole time! It sounds to me like they have been doing some illegal stuff just like they did with my boss (They okayed a car loan without them signing all final paperwork and already charged them a late payment before everything was official, etc...). I think you may want to consult a lawyer on their dealings with you if they refuse to give you your money back because of the overdrafts. They have definitely been doing some shady stuff with your account. In the past five years have you ever cashed other IRS tax return checks with them that had both yours and your husband's name on them? If so definitely use that in your argument against them.

Hope things get better!

I have to say your situation sucks.

I will tell you that it sounds a little screwy quite honestly. If you have proof (old bank statements or being able to go online to show that they deposited IRS checks) I would print that out and take it in with you. Explain to them that they've done it before and you want to know why they are suddenly changing their policies, and giving you the run around.

I'm not trying to defend them by any means but I will tell you that normally with checks in both mine and my husbands name our bank normally does not require signatures of both if it's going into a joint account. However, with the stimulus check we received they did require both signatures. Bank of America apologized but said that with the government checks they have to have both signatures - so the rules for them might actually be a little different. Also - as far as the bank using your husbands direct deposit to cover the overdraft fee's - that is perfectly well within their rights. (Even if the reason for the overdraft fee's is complete BS). Both of my brothers have had this happen, one once, and the other numerous times. Any money deposited into the account will automatically go towards a negative balance first. The one brother who had it happened once did dispute it - and lost. Their explanation was that all they did was add the money into the account like they normally would. If you have ten dollars and add ten you get twenty, but if you are in the hole ten dollars and add ten it's zero. It makes sense. Also - as far as not paying them for the overdrafts - they can and will send it to creditors and bash your credit to pieces with it. My brother had the same thing happen - and it wrecked his credit to the point where he could not even open another checking account with the four banks he tried as he was considered a risk. So - if this is going to be the case I highly suggest opening the new account ASAP - before your current bank reports the information. If you are in the military - (I don't think you or your spouse are from what I know of you) but if you are - you can also have action taken against you by the military for bad credit reasons. Things such as them docking your pay - taking ranks and the like depending on how serious the issue is.

They may be within their rights to use the deposit towards overdrafts BUT if they were not in their rights to refuse the check and/or charge you the overdraft fee's then you've got something to dispute. Not only will they owe you the overdraft fee's, but if you end up having to take out a loan or are charged any fee's by anywhere for having things not get paid they are also responsible for this.

It's not on the topic of all this - but you really have to find a way to relax yourself. It is so easy to get irritated and upset over stuff like this but all it does it hurt us. I know anytime I'm upset (mad, sad, angry, hurt) my pain flares up, badly. This is going to sound horrible, but do what you can, and then accept that right now there is nothing you can do. You have to find some way to relax and get this anger frustration out or your going to pay the price for it in pain.

As far as things to do - there may be dollar theaters around you - and due to it being summer may theaters have children's matinee rates around 1-2 dollars. Also consider a walk in the park, or a day in the park with a picnic as something fun to do. Things as simple as a water fight with the parents involved are great fun for children. I remember one year where I didn't have much money but I bought 5$ worth of water balloons and a few cheap squirt guns for a fathers day. I told my brothers we were going to get dad when he got home. We made daddy a bucket of balloons with a water gun in it - put them out front. Then made a bunch for us, got out water guns full, and it was great fun. Sometimes the kids love having the parents play with them - and I admit I love that type of stuff now to. Other things to do that Dad and kids might enjoy that are simple are having the kids cook him breakfast, as I mentioned a picnic, a camp-out in the backyard (borrow the tent if you need to), you can wet grass down if you have a hill and slide down on trash bags, in home movie day, washing the car together (most kids love this), also stuff like visiting a fire station or things like that are fun also. (Can you tell we didn't have a lot of money when I grew up?) I know that for me growing up it wasn't WHAT we did with dad, it was the fact that we got to spend time with him where we didn't have to worry about getting yelled at for making a mess, or worry about him getting called by work. Heck, tickling matches in the living room were some of the highlights growing up.

Melissa,
The banks/credit card companies are really tightening up, especially because so many people are defaulting. All that stuff in the fine print that few of us read gives them pretty much the right to do anything at any time. I've heard news stories about people who haven't missed one payment or had anything else change but the credit card company raised their interest rate without notice. Have you checked your FICO score? Just about all credit decisions are based on that, and that is based on many things like income, debt to income ratio, etc. You're right, the personal bank is long gone.

PaLady

Thank you all and I feel better knowing I'm not alone in this! I finally recieved my stimulus check back with a letter explaining because his name isn't on the account that it was returned and to make sure "I had enough funds in my account so as not to incure any overdrafts"ha ha! we are going to another bank today on our lunch break to open another account..I am now -700 in overdrafts at Wells Fargo and refuse to pay these fees due to their mistake...I realize due to the fine print that I am responsible...but I'm still not going to pay (I also realize it will be negative credit report...the stress they put me through and fees they are charged are outrageous!