banking issues. Please help me out?

Question

I joined a trail on my debit card and I looke at my balance and my account balance wasn't negative but my available balance was. I figured if my account balance wasnt negative and they didnt take out any fees yet and I plan on canceling the trail how can I be charged an overdraft. Well they charge me an overdraft for 35 bucks. Well I call them up and they said that they would fix the overdraft if its canceled. Well one payment before the overdraft that would go through created another overdraft just because of there first overdraft fee. When I asked to talk to a supervisor or another customer service guy that would be less rude he threatened me with an outermadem that he would reverse a credit that he already authorized. Is any of this legal? can they charge you an overdraft on an available balance thats still pending and not taken from your account balance? and how long can they keep charging you 8 dallors a day overdrsft for?

Answer 1

Ouch! These things are a bummer.

The short answer is they probably can charge, and continue to charge ... and the customer gets screwed.

What I would suggest, (since this is a debit card from a bank, vs a credit card from a bigger monster) is that you go in person to your branch office, and talk with someone in person. (Ask for a "branch manager" or a "bank officer" when you go.)

In my experience, branch managers are far more sympathetic than (most) telephone representatives -- and they (usually) have wide authority to reverse charges and issue credits, etc. Be sure to bring all of your statements, etc., with you -- and I'd suggest ;-) that you sort of begin the conversation by saying "I need your help ... " rather than expressing anger or frustration, etc.

Dealing with someone face-to-face makes the "transaction" much more humanizing compared to over the phone.

You may not get ALL of the charges reversed ... but, unless there is a pattern of overdraft on your account, my bet is you will get most -- if not all -- of the charges taken off.