I am a Chase customer having originally opened a free checking and savings account with WAMU in 2007. In Nov. 2008, I was laid off due to a lack of work and am still unemployed. Since 2008, the balance in my savings account is 0. My only source of income is my bimonthly unemployment insurance benefit check (hereafter, "UI") for $860. In May 2009, I went to the nearest Chase branch and made a $100 payment on my credit card. At the time of my payment, I advised the teller that if my account was overdrawn that I do not want Chase to pay any transaction and/or to assess my account the $33 overdraft fee. Despite my request, from May 2009 to September 23, Chase continued to make unauthorized withdrawals from my account. For example, on September 1, Chase debited my account $198 ($33 six times). The transaction amounts were for: $4, $5, $7.92, $25, $54 and $107.91. The final straw took place on September 8. I deposited my $860 UI benefit check at a Chase ATM. After depositing my check, I tried to withdraw $20 but was unable to do so due to insufficient funds. Desperate, I called my 85-year old father and asked him to deposit money into my account. My father went to his nearest branch and proceeded to deposit $300 into my account in person. Two hours later, for I tried to withdraw $20. To my utter disbelief, the transaction was declined due to insufficient funds. Despite a combined credit of $1160, my account was still overdrawn.
On September 22 I posted a question on lawguru.com seeking direction as to who I should contact with respect to filing a complaint against Chase Bank. The following day, September 23, a local attorney who specializes in bankruptcy, business credit and debt collection law recommended I contact the State Banking Commission and I did. The SBC referred me to the Comptroller of the Currency Administrator of National Banks, US Dept. of Treasury, Customer Assistance Group (hereafter, “OCC CAG”) in Houston. On September 23, my formal complaint against was lodged with the OCC CAG. The basis of my complaint is that between the period of May 2009 to September 23, Chase made unauthorized withdrawals from my account for hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. Two weeks have elapsed since the filing of my complaint. In a telephone conversation I had with the OCC CAG on October 9, I was informed that my complaint is in a pending status and that the OCC CAG is awaiting Chase’s response. I won’t hold my breath.
If that isn’t bad enough, on October 2, I was advised that Chase had forwarded my delinquent credit card account to IC Systems, Inc. for collection. Long ago, Chase lowered the limit on my card to $300 or possibly $350. In May 2009, the day of my $100 payment, the account balance on my card was no more than $350. Since then, there has been no further activity on my account. While I would love to make a payment on the card, in the event I was to have a surplus of funds I can count on Chase to gobble it up. Despite the $350 balance, Chase assessed my account $270.78 in interest, penalties and late fees; thereby making the new balance on my card $620.78. I consider the amount excessive and unreasonable.
On September 23, a friend forwarded me a link to the New York Times article entitled, "Chase and Bank of America Revise Fee Policies", by RON LIEBER. "Two banks are changing their debit card programs to end some charges that have enraged consumers...". For your convenience here is a link to the article http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/your-money/credit-and-debit-cards/23credit.html?_r=1&emc=eta1
It is my hope that at the conclusion of OCC CAG’s investigation I am refunded the monies Chase withdrew from my account.
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