FIRST PERSON | After an identity theft, I went into my bank to close one account and open a new account. Knowing this bank is infamous for excessive fees and mistakes I felt that going in person would help to eliminate any issues. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
I waited in line for over an hour to see the bank personnel that would help me with my account. As I explained my concerns I was reassured that there was no way anyone could make any more fraudulent charges on my account. I showed the bank manager my bank statement with red circles on all fraudulent charges and made my point.
We closed the account with the problems and opened a new account. I was given a temporary debit card and sent home to await the arrival of my new debit card. I waited three weeks and it didn’t come. I called the bank. “It’s been sent” I was told.
Later that week my step-daughter came for a visit and brought me an envelope that had been sent to her mother. My new bank card. This was a rather unusual development since this woman had never had an account at my bank, and my husband and I have been together and had this account for over 10 years.
The bank manager was apologetic over this new breach of privacy. I’m just glad my husband’s former spouse was a good person and sent me the cards via their daughter. Since this card had been activated prior to my leaving the bank the first time I was also very concerned about my account’s safety and privacy. Anyone could have received those cards. I am just glad it was someone honest.
The final straw of my banking with this bank came a few weeks later. I had set my new account up for ATM use only to avoid any banking fees. Unfortunately, they decided to charge me to bank there. I was being charged $8.95 per month to be exact. That was the last straw. Their loss, straight to the Credit Union I went.
My debit cards are free at the credit union, overdrafts are a mere $25 compared to $35 at my former bank. The credit union will also pay the charge that came in, the bank would send it back causing a domino effect that was harder to dig out of.