Check your bank statement carefully

[Stephanie]

I'm glad that your bank seems to be on top the situation. I only use my debit card and my local grocery store or convenience store for purchases. Most of the time I pay cash or credit.

Reporting it to the three major credit bureaus is a good idea as well. It's interesting that the same thing happened to the customers in the local restaurant. I wonder if someone has hacked their way into someone's system to get the information.

[CajunMama]

Great news!!!! All 3 charges were reversed and the $195 is back in my account! My bank is great

[Stephanie]

EXCELLENT NEWS!!

[CajunMama]

My son called me tonight. Seems his account was compromised also to the tune of almost $800. His charges were for the London Eye which is that big ferris wheel over in england. We both bank at the same bank and i'm wondering if the bank has been compromised. He only uses his atm card at the banks atm machine.

[SamSagnella]

What bank is this? That's crazy weird that it happened to your son as well.

[Thunder44]

My advice is that you all don't keep too much money in your checking accounts for too long. And don't you use debit cards for going out shopping, unless your making a purchase that several hundred of dollars or so. It was on the news recently, that they've got hackers around the world, who are hacking into computers for many business and then they sell people's credit or debit card info to crooks. There was a small check card purchase on my account recently, that I did not do. I got a new card immediately.

[gtalum]

My advice is that you all don't keep too much money in your checking accounts for too long.

This is good advice on two fronts. Besides security, you're also better off keeping any "excess" funds sitting in a high-yield savings account. Otherwise inflation eats away at your principal.

[pojo]

when you go to put your pin in on the touchpad (debit card) watch for peeping eyes.... one best way to off set is use your left hand to block and put the numbers in with your right or if you are a lefty.... you have it easy!

Put your card away immediately after swiping.... don't keep it out when you are putting your pin in.

[stormy1970al]

Reading this just scared the living daylights out of me because I don't use check. Just a debit card.

[CajunMama]

I received the official "We have concluded that the error you alleged did in fact occur and have corrected the error..." letter today and that the provisional credit was made final. I do find myself using my credit cards more often than my debit card now.

[MGC]

I only use cash. No debit cards for me. I only carry a couple of checks incase I lose my checkbook. You can not be too careful......MGC

[gtalum]

All credit cards baby. The convenience of debit cards with more security plus a 1%-5% discount on everything I buy in the form of rewards. I hardly ever use cash for anything.

[stevetampa33614]

I dont bank anymore. I have a savings account for DD and thats it, cant make purchases with the card. I withdraw what I need. Banks are about --- you over. If you dont believe me go to rip off report and read about some of the bigger banks.


My personal expierence with Bank of America went like this. I got my Stimulus check, they gave me the reciept which said available, Went out and paid my bills. i was at wal mart buying some things and I got declined. Now...how embarrassing is it to be declined at wal mart? So I go to an ATM immediately and check my balance.

I went from +978.31 to - 866.40. Come to find out the clerk made a mistake in crediting the full amount and only 100.00 should of been credited and 'SYSTEM' put the stimulus check back into holds without telling me.


So ya I freaked out, went down to the bank. Nope they told me it had been decisoned. I was not getting the money back and I should learn how to balance the checkbook. I pulled out a reciept and asked them were does it say "HOLDS' on this Deposit Reciept? I got loud, In the end they said they would call the police if I didnt leave.

I was able to get them to take off 100 dollars off the top bringing it down too 766.40 but later that day, the ATM I used charged a fee of 1.50 and BoA charged a seperate fee of 2.50 for using a non-affiliated ATM. So I was hit with 2 more Overdraft charges of 39 EACH $.

Closed the account, they sent bills and auto deduct stuff was still going through on a closed account. When all was said and done I paid them 1300.00$ for the nightmare.

LESSON.I WILL NEVER BANK AGAIN. Cash and money orders only.

[Stephanie]

I received the official "We have concluded that the error you alleged did in fact occur and have corrected the error..." letter today and that the provisional credit was made final. I do find myself using my credit cards more often than my debit card now.

I'm glad that this was resolved for you.

[gtalum]

LESSON.I WILL NEVER BANK AGAIN. Cash and money orders only.

Despite your bad experience with B of A, I think it's not a wise decision to forego banks altogether. If nothing else, you'll find that life in America is quite difficult without at least a checking account.

The real lesson is to learn your bank's deposit availability policies and don't listen to what the front line employees tell you if it contradicts the policy. Also, shop around for a bank with a favorable availability policy. Many banks are less restrictive than others. Small local banks tend to be far more generous with that sort of thing.

[angelwing]

Closed the account, they sent bills and auto deduct stuff was still going through on a closed account. When all was said and done I paid them 1300.00$ for the nightmare.

I had the same problem with Citizen's bank, so finally had to pay $1200.00 in overdraft fees after fighting for over a year. Have opened up a credit union account (savings only), but I refuse to get a checking account, money orders or cash only is what I do, no headaches this way. If I don't have the cash I don't buy it.