OMG

I forgot to deposit a check into my account, so when I used my check card I overdrew (is that a word) money.  I have six overdraft charges because I used my card for $1.75 at a parking meter, and $5 to pay for parking at the airport. 

But why did the bank continue to let me use the card when I was already overdrawn?  How do I get these charges removed?  It's seriously about $200 in fines.

Comments

[Robert]

Good luck Dan... That's unfortunately happened to me a couple of times. The only time I got them to remove the overdrafts is when the card charges hit right befor my direct paycheck deposit. They're pretty adamant about it. Still, I would call and explain, depending on the bank they may let you slide, esp. if you haven't had any overdrafts in the past year or so.
I'm pretty sure they just let you keep charging away since they make a mint off everyone like this! It SUCKS!

[Plain Gay Blogging]

Banks are doing that now, they love the overdraft fees.
Call your bank, and good luck.

[Pinky]

I'd go in and talk to the manager face to face. I've had a similar situation and usually they'll work with you and adjust some of the fees if it's your first time. Plus, you need to ask them that question! My stuff was due to checks bouncing, but the card shouldn't work if there aren't any funds. Good luck! Let us know what happens. Perhaps you could use, "Do you know who I am?"

[tonyschmo]

Most bank accounts have overdraft protection up to a certain amount.. mine is $500. That's why it kept allowing you to take out money. This was originally intended to keep people from bouncing checks but has become easy money for the banks with check/debit cards.

[Jason Moyer]

This happened to me once. Only the bank did not deduct the charges in the order that they were made. They deducted the largest withdrawal first so that my multiple smaller charges would then bounce and give them lots of fees to add on.

I asked them why they did this and they said it was so that the more important charges are taken care of. SCAM. It is so they make more money off of you.
And good luck in getting them reversed. They wouldn't do it for me.

[Scot]

Pinky is right. Go in face to face and talk to a manager. Pueblo Bank and Trust has remove bank fees for me in the past. They're a friendly bank. If it doesn't work, be sure and get the bank manager's name and tell him you want to be sure you have the correct spelling for your blog and newspaper article. Then, be sure to tell us the name of the bank, Let's face it - banks are a dime a dozen these days and they're all offering something to get new accounts. We're not here for them, they're here for us.

[Jenna]

I had this happen to me two weeks ago. I accidentally overdrew my account by $3. I had to pay a $25 overdraft fee. Totally ridiculous if you ask me!

My sister works for a bank & she says to go into the bank talk with the manager. They probably won't take all of the charges off but they should remove some.

It just sucks when stuff like this happens!

Good luck!

[Lee Keels]

They will usually remove all but one of the overdraft fees if you talk nice.

[Joseph]

They allow it because they want your $200. You should call and complain. If it's the first time, they will credit at least half of the amount (if not all).

[Michael]

Go in and talk to the manger in person, be polite, ask why they allow you to overdraft multiple times without calling you on the phone, etc. If that doesn't work then very politely hint that you might be looking for a new banking situation.

Banks are as desperate for customers (especially the kind with jobs/income) these days as everyone else.

[Eric]

Find a gay clerk at the bank and flirt ...

[Maggie]

Our bank is the same way. We used to schedule bill pay for all of our monthly payments in advance but twice payments went through when a paycheck hadn't come in yet -- and the separate overdraft charges added up to a lot of money. Now we set up bill pay through online on the actual days we want it to go through. The bank did cancel the charges the first time, but not the second.

I think going in to talk to a manager is a great idea. We called, and everyone we talked to told us something different about we could resolve the situation.

[willam]

fuck the finding a gay clerk. find a fat single girl in her 30's. she'll be all about you probably and feel like she's your new best friend

[Mike B.]

Ouch, William. Harsh!

[Katherine]

William. I'm a fat single girl in her late 40's and I'm offended by your comment!! Just because you might be a perfect physical specimen (which I doubt you are) I suspect the "fat single girl" is a better person.

[Joan]

I used to be a bank manager; my advice is to go talk to him/her, and you will more than likely get it cleared if you are polite. Also, look into something called overdraft protection, which is an unsecured line of credit tied directly to your checking account that kicks in if your account becomes overdrawn.

Good luck!

[caroline]

I told my bank that I was going to switch banks if they did not remove the fees, and they did.

[Glenn D.]

I have gotten out of numerous late fees, over the limit credit card fees, etc etc etc. The best thing to do is call the bank's call center and talk to a rep after bank hours. They will be easier to work with since they are a third party and don't have a direct interest in the bank. Every bank has one of these. Then find a recent charge on your account more than what you overdrew on. It should be for some type of tangible object like a shirt, pillow, or blender that you can say you found defective and later return. Tell the rep you want to dispute the charge. While you are on the phone ask if this caused your account to become overdrawn. The rep will say yes and then you respond by saying that you don't think it is fair and want those charges removed because it's the store's fault. Explain that you tried to return the item but the clerk was rude and refused. This will start the dispute process and the charges will be removed. Then you can later take back the item.

Another thing you could do is say you thought that you had transferred enough money over the Internet but for some reason the transfer didn't take place. This one isn't as strong as the first. if you have any questions email me! :)