Washington Mutual Seizes Customer's Funds
While Washington Mutual PR folks tout the bank's no [ATM] fees policy, the executives in Seattle are, without notice or due process, seizing the funds of customers. My life savings is gone, says James &, a 77-year-old veteran who quit his job as a trombonist with the Tommy Dorsey Big Band in 1956
to work as a carpenter and raise seven children.
On March 31, James went to an ATM to make a withdrawal from his primary checking account with Washington Mutual Bank. The transaction was declined. After several more frustrating attempts to withdraw what would be bus fare, he called Washington Mutual customer service and was told that the system was down, and his card would probably work again the following day. After a long night without money to get transportation, food or shelter, James, who walks with a cane after leg and hip surgery, suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure, and gets ill without his medication, learned that in fact his ATM still did not work.
Finally, after repeated calls to [Washington Mutual Bank customer service], and a lot of disconnects, they told me that the problem was possible identity theft, and assured me that presenting my driver's license at any branch would resolve it. They lied.indeed, after borrowing money from strangers, James boarded a bus bound for Florida (where his wife of 40 years is buried), and visited a Washington Mutual branch where he presented his Driver's License to the manager.
Recordings made by James on the advice of family members demonstrate surprisingly unprofessional behavior on the part of both branch employees and telephone customer service reps one responding to his comments about not being able to wait very long for his money by saying, bluntly, You have no choice. Unable to get any cash in Atlanta, James cancelled his trip to visit his deceased wife's grave, and headed home. During the bus trip home, he suffered convulsions and had to be hospitalized over night.
Recordings made by James of subsequent telephone conversations with various Washington Mutual representatives evidence that he was provided with significantly varying and conflicting explanations; the most recent being that his funds have been seized by Washington Mutual Bank because another person owes money to another bank.
The other person is the buyer of Jame's car (sold to pay for his deceased wife's funeral) whose $4,900.00 check James deposited about 7 weeks earlier. Although the check long since cleared, and bank documents evidence that the funds were collected and available, Washington Mutual Bank's position appears to be that, although the check to James was a good one, several weeks after writing it its maker fell into debt with his bank (not Washington Mutual Bank), and that they have the right (without notice or court action) to seize Jame's money and return it to the other bank.
The check cleared and the money was available long ago, now they come after me because some guy who bought my car owes another bank money, explains James. And even though the check to me was good and cleared, they say they got the right to take my money.
Not only did Washington Mutual Bank seize the $4,900.00, but they froze the entire account. This is an arbitrary action made without justification and without due process, says Jeffery, a legal aid representative who has reviewed the documents and recordings. Moreover, this institution has, by their failure to give notice, and subsequent behavior, seriously harmed Mr. - .
Presently a PR campaign, via the internet, community bulletin boards, and posters to be placed at Washington Mutual ATMs is being organized. If legal action is necessary, then we'll go to court, says James who now refers to Washington Mutual Bank as the Big Bad Bank, but, all I really want is my money back, enough to eat, enough to pay my bills, and enough to get me down to visit my wife, and leave some fresh flowers on her grave.
More details at &
James
Birmingham, Alabama
U.S.A.
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