So I miscalculated or something in my checkbook register and overdrew my checking account by 30 cents. The overdraft fee? $35! I know it's my mistake, and hopefully I can get them to waive it because of the small amount. Of course it's an automated thing, but geez. Anyone had a miscalculation that ended up in an overdraft? I'm lucky I don't have any other transactions scheduled to go through!
ETA: I do have Bank of America. A few months back I had to call them to refund two overdraft fees they charged when they immediately took out funds for a future dated payment that I set up on online bill pay. They said they would waive one and I had to argue over the second one even though they admitted it was their error. I'm hoping they will have some mercy on this one. *Crossing my fingers!*
Talked to an associate and a supervisor. Both said they are unable to extend a courtesy refund as this situation does not qualify. So I ask what does qualify for a courtesy refund. They said it is when it is their error. Um, that isn't a courtesy, that is what you are supposed to do if you mess up! So frustrating!
All I can say is good luck. Both of my sisters work in a bofa call center and neither of them bank with them because they are so unflexiable with fees and they charge fees for everything. The fact that their own employees wont bank with them says a lot about their customer service.
I highly recommend opening an overdraft protection account. Mine has saved my bacon more than once. Mine is a line of credit that I can also use when my funds run low.
I'd definitely call and ask if they would refund the overdraft fee since the over draft was for less than a dollar. It's all automated and the computer doesn't know the circumstances. A live person should be more sympathetic.
Ok, this is why I stopped working for big banks. They don't really care about people. Once I had an customer call and was in a panic because her payroll check bounced because the company she worked for shut it's doors and didn't have the money to cover the last payroll. So she needed us to cover a check that would have taken her over her ODP by five measly dollars. It was for her big rig payment which was her livelyhood. I tried and tried to get it done for her but the powers that be, told me I shouldn't get personal stories because its' not our problem. I put in my two weeks right then.
I worked in the banking industry for 10 years. Who ever made the decision to go to the branch is right on the money. Even better go to the branch where the account was opened, they are usually the ones that make the call on refunds. As long as you are not repeatedly asking for refunds, it shouldn't be a problem. If it is then threaten to take your business else where. It honestly might be the best thing, and if you can get into a credit union even better.
NEVER call the bank or do the online version of trying to get it fixed. ALWAYS go in and talk to the bank manager. They can overide all your mistakes. If you do it the other two ways you will get screwed. Been there, learned that.
All the time, bank of America is rich because of me ( hahahha) but it seems we are getting all our money back soon. I change to a local bank and they have a $400 overdraft protection so I don't get that fee anymore.
Good Luck with that - Bank of America SUCKS!!!
Good luck with this one... big banks don't tend to refund your money b/c you made an error in calculating! They have a difficult time refunding when it's their error!
If possible, switch to a smaller local bank. They tend to call or email you when your balance is low or when you have a "scheduled payment" that you can't cover.
Definitely look into overdraft protection!
So long as it is not bank of america you should be fine. They won't refund anything. :( I had to fight with them over a mess of fees even though they processed an ACH a day early.
When I worked for a credit union part of our proofing process was to check the checks that were clearing to make sure none were over drafting the accounts by less than a dollar. We would manually accept them so not to cause a fee. This was before checks could take accounts negative and get a fee, also before people were just numbers. Would you believe no one ever called and wrote to thank us for that. Yeah, bet they wish people cared like that now..... :p
Usually if you are nice they will refund the fees, so long as you don't make a habit of it.
It never hurts to call, but don't get your hopes up. Open up overdraft protection, which I need to do as well. If it cost money and you don't want to pay a fee, I used to have it set up with another back that if I went over, they pulled the money out of my savings to make up the difference.
Don't get me started on bank of America!
When I had them my checking account was linked to my savings so that if I didn't have enough in my checking it would pull from my savings....yeah right! My account had fraud charges which made other checks bounce and several overdraft fees because they never pulled from my savings like they were supposed to. I didn't get an of my money back until I filed a complaint with the bbb.
I think they will adjust this for you. If not, I would change banks!
I have done this before by accidentally adding in a deposit twice.
Definitely worth calling and asking. It depends on the bank.
My bank will refund one overdraft fee per month as a courtesy, regardless of fault. Which is great, because sadly I'm terrible about this.
I heard about a person that posted a u-tube video complaining about the Bank of America. Within minutes the video went viral and the bank started receiving hateful emails. They corrected the situation immediately.
Oh yes, it's happened to me a few times, even once it was the banks error and I had to argue with them to remove the fee. I totally hate it. This actually just happened yesterday and we even have overdraft protection where they pull from our other account for a smaller fee and they didn't do that. Thanks for making me think of that, I'll be arguing with them tomorrow!
BofA sucks BIG TIME!!!
GOOD LUCK getting any fees back!!!
Wow! You need to switch banks...fast! My husband is a manager for Arvest and he has told me that they have the lowest overdraft fees. I can't believe that they wouldn't refund your fee for overdrafting by $0.30. That is ridiculous! I have yet to meet anyone that has anything good to say about Bank of America. I would take your business to a bank that would appreciate it.
Yes it has happened to me, but, still had to pay the fee. I think that they should give you like a $1 to $5 grace period.
