Any suggestions for getting a bank to reverse fees on an overdraft?

Question

I made a banking error and the bank charged me over $200 in bank fees because of it. Do you have any suggestions for getting the bank to reverse the fees, short of begging?

Just wanted to let you all know...
First off, thanks for your advice. Well, most of it anyway, lol. Secondly, it worked out pretty well. I got my mom to go into the bank with me because was looking to get an equity loan and wanted information on it from the bank. Together we went in a spoke with a banking officer. My mom began the conversation with her questions and we ended the conversation with over half my fees refunded. The banking officer didn't want to upset my mom (the bank wanted her business) so they appeased her not only by providing an excellent loan but by making me happy as well. It all worked out and boy, I am never letting that happen again! Thanks!

Answer 1

As a former commercial bank branch manager this was something that we dealt with on a daily basis. The thing I learned from that experience was that nice people who take responsibility for their own actions and who weren't habitual offenders had the best chance of getting NSF fees reversed. I would recommend finding the lowest person on the food chain with the authority to do this for you and go to them with an honest explanation of what happened and a promise that it was your fault and it won't happen again. Be nice, and do not make any demands or threats. At this point ask them directly if they would be so kind as to reverse the fees. If they hesitate then ask them to at least split the cost with you. As hokey as it might sound, you might also want to bring a snack or other nominal gift with you to give to the person helping you. I found it almost impossible to refuse the request of someone who acted responsibly and asked in a nice manner. On the other hand, the guy/gal who barged in threatening to close their account or contact my supervisor had no chance whatsoever. Usually the person you would want to talk to is a customer service representative on the floor. Tellers don't typically have this kind of authority. Remember that they get these requests every day so yours has to stand out as being special. By the way, I hope that you have not done this in the past because that will be the first thing that they will check for. If they agree to help you out they will place a note on your account that indicates that you had NSF charges refunded to you as a one time customer service gesture. Good luck to you. Drop me an email to let me know if it works.

Answer 2

Well, I think the answer provided by the person referring to writing a letter to the bank and overall, establishing communication attempt is by far the best. I doubt a letter to the central processing unit will be worth the effort. They deal with millions of transactions a day and in all likelihood, your letter will be addressed (if at all) with a huge delay. I agree with the option of trying to "talk to your banker" or your account manager to see if anything could be done at all. I am convinced that a simple conversation can go a long way - people value honesty and integrity. I would suggest adding a litle bit of a flavor to this attempt, namely:
* mention in all honesty that you have been a good customer of the bank for XXX years and you have never had mishaps like this
(that establishes your credibility and allows to look at your history of transactions)
**be polite and if the answer is "no", politely (again) ask if there is anything at all that could be done at a management level or with consultation/talk with the manager. If the answer is "yes", ask for the "when" they are going to get back to you
***if the asnwer is "we won't be able to refund/reverse all of it, ma'am/mr, but.." go for it. $50, $100 is still money BACK in your pocket.
Remember, the banks are in for the profit. It is a business. Overdrafts and personal checking account transactions are the most profitable thing there is in today's banking world. Forsaking/foregoing already received profit is hard for the bank which is in a tough competitive environment now with all others trying to offer the same. They indeed do certain things to retain you as their customer, because if you are a GOOD customer, it will take then 6 times as much effort to replace you. They understand that and will most likely be willing to help you out in any way possible.
****don't be pushy and demanding. This is a "post-factum" event. You are acting responsively, not pro-actively.

Hope that helps. Please let me know if the techniques outlined above or...even just "some of it" worked for you and you were able to get some or all money back. Please reply to [e-mail]. Put smth like "got my money back" in the subject line of your e-mail. I would appreciate that.

Answer 3

A simple letter addressing to the manager of the bank branch & a copy to the centralised customer redressal unit of the bank (information available in the bank website) regarding mistake on your part & request for reversal of bank charge & fee can bail you out.
You also have the option to approach the banking ombudsman generally appointed for creating harmony between the customer & the bank authority (if you feel the charges are high & arbitrarily imposed by the bank).

You can also request for their list of service & fee charge (avialable with the bank branch or the bank's website)

There is high probability of reversal just through communication & you can leave your options open without getting into litigation. A handwritten letter to the central processing unit can do the trick for you.

Answer 4

Yeah, that's a tough one.
Of course you received in the mail your account agreements along with explainations of penalties you would incurr with any overcharges, overdrafts or returned checks?
These are pretty much the "rules" and I doubt that the bank will reverse it's decision to charge you the penalty...simply because YOU made the error and not the bank.
Of course, it never hurts to try and call an account manager and beg for mercy (oops, you said you didn't want to do that).

Answer 5

convinced, ask the dep. manager for help. Very with courtesy admit that you made an mistakes and request that the prices be waived. also, ask if there is any thanks to stay away from this interior the destiny. they could have some style of overdraft protection to grant you. settle for it. it will be considered as an indication of your purpose to proceed your banking courting. they prefer your business enterprise and what more suitable useful thanks to exhibit them that you're going to adhere round considering they have given you such large service. Now right here's the seize. they're in all likelihood going to grant you a line of credit. in case you at the prompt are not sturdy with credit, close it (yet of route, not on an similar day they offer it to you). if you're able to keep it on good of issues, keep it because this may help you in case you ever make an mistakes lower back. The monetary organization needs shoppers which have more suitable than one product with them. once you grow to be a genuine customer (those with checkings charges easily value the monetary organization money) they are going to be more suitable than prepared which could actually help you out. yet do not assume all 10 costs to be reversed till you're a sweettalker.

Answer 6

sure it's easy! but first you need a few items as follows: 4 or 5 black leaf bags 33gals.each, 15' of piano wire,1-9x12 area rug,with waterproof backing,1 roll of duct tape,1 billy-club & a bone-saw. now you may or may not want to add a ski-mask depending on how popular you are in your town.step two is finding out who has decisionmaking ability in this branch. now we go ..uh-oh gotta go,... the wardens comin'! we'll finish this later after you get the stuff! :-)

Answer 7

Nope, begging is about it.

Shift your business to a Credit Union. You'll get a much fairer shake.