Here’s an email I just got from Angel:
Hustler- I’m sure you are busy with the holidays, but I had a quick question for you. I recently lost my WaMu debit card, and had to get it replaced. They sent me a new one, but it was with the wrong account. The card I received was with the account that only had $1 on it. The card I lost and was trying to have replaced was with the account that had all my money in it. I know I asked for the card with the correct account, and one of the managers I spoke with even admitted that this issue probably wouldn’t have taken place had he handled the card replacement, however they continue to tell me “[they] did not have the privilege to hear [my] conversation with the other bank teller” therefore they cannot say it is a bank error.
Since 5-10 transactions went through before my card started getting declined, I have a huge amount of overdraft fees, and was only comp’ed two of them. I have talked with 4 different people, a regular customer service rep, a manager, a supervising manager, and lastly the senior manager whom all say the same thing- that they cannot help me any longer. I can’t afford to pay all these overdrafts if I don’t have to, but I don’t know what to do.
The bank is telling me that since the letter they sent me with the new card had the last four digits of the card it was replacing, that it is ultimately my error. I feel like my only error was trusting the bank to send me the right card. Because I don’t use the other card, it was in a file cabinet with my other files. I didn’t remember the last four digits of the card it replaced, and honestly I didn’t notice the letter had that information until I checked the letter after the fact.
Do I have a case to get any more of the charges removed, or should I just pay the fees?
Angel
My reply:
Hello Angel,
I’m sorry to hear your situation. There is no way you should pay any overdrafts fees since it’s their fault. Here is my take on this and how to resolve this in your favor.
First, write a very long articulate letter explaining your situation, and how you want the fees to be taken off since it’s not your fault. Send one to the manager of your local bank, another one to the regional manager. Make sure to mention that if this doesn’t get taken care of, you will send one to the executives of WaMu about this and how you have to pay these fees that wasn’t your fault.
Wait to see their response. If the response is still not in your favor, write another letter telling them that if they don’t take care of this by removing all the fees. You will contact the Better Business Bureau, the local “On your side” local news station, and your local congressmen to make your case on WaMu abusive practice. You could also contact consumerist.com since they can make your case on the net by sharing with their readers.
Good luck,
Hustler
I hope Angel will get a positive result from my advice. If you are in a bad situation whether it’s fighting a bank fee or credit card fee, feel free to write to me hustlermoneyblog@gmail.com for advice. You will get the “hustler’s angle” on how to deal with the problem.
As much as I like to write about the next “$100” bonus deal, helping readers like Angel gets me going and makes blogging so much more enjoyable.
The second move I would make is to find another bank. WaMu is really getting a bad rep out there and if they don’t want your business (and by they way they are acting, they don’t)find someone who does!