During making a deposit at a local 53rd branch, teller mentioned that I do not have overdraft protection on my account. I replied that the reason I don't have overdraft protection is because I do not wish to open any new accounts with Fifth Third, whether it is savings, checking or credit card. Teller then mentioned that in order to have overdraft protection I don't need to open any new accounts.
I stated that I was told at least 5 or 6 times by different tellers on separate occasions that in order to qualify for over draft protection I must have another savings account or a credit card with Fifth Third Bank. Teller then kept stating that she is absolutely positively sure about this overdraft protection and that I don't need to open any new accounts. I asked her two more time to double-check on it and every time she replied that her info was in fact correct. So, I replied: "fine, what do I need to do?" Teller says: " Nothing, from now on, if you overdraft on your checking account you will be charged $9.00 fee per incident" So, I thought it must be a new service from 53rd that they just started promoting... WRONG!
Two days later I get a call from 53rd stating that I overdrafted on my account and that I need to deposit $45 plus change and it will be all set. I explained my conversation with the teller from another day and rep replied stating that she will look into it and will call me back if there is an issue with overdraft protection. I deposited $80 an hour later, made sure that my account was current and left the branch. After not receiving a call from 53rd, I thougth that there is no issue with overdraft protection and that everything is fine now. WRONG!
My internet was down at home that day and I didn't log in to my checking account until the next day... Big mistake on my part! Anyway, at the end, I was charged over then $220 in fees, I dind't see any $9.00 fees that teller swore about. I contacted 53rd by phone, they gave me a run around, so I called the branch and spoke with the branch manager who basically admitted that they don't have the kind of protection that teller described to me and apoligised for the teller's mistake but refused to reverse any fees. That's nice, they admitted they made a mistake, but still refused to reverse any fees.
I called 53rd again and this time they gave me the regional manager's number. Called and left him a message... That didn't lead anywhere..
Today I receive a letter from FIfth Third stating that they regret to inform me but my credit card application was declined after they ran my credit report. I was like: "WHAT??? How messed up is that? I told them many, many, many times to many different Fifth Third reps that I don't want to apply for any credit card accounts. Yet Fifth Third managed to apply for a credit card on my behalf without my permission written, verbal or otherwise and then they ran a credit report to top that off! The letter is dated approximately two weeks after the teller lied to me about the overdraft protection.
Since that conversation with the teller I spoke with at least 6 or 7 more reps from Fifth Third and to all of them I stated that I DO NOT WANT OR NEED A NEW ACCOUNT whether it's savings, checking, credit card or anything else they have to offer, I am not interested
I lost count of how many times I told them NO to any new accounts!
Shouldn't a customer at least fill out an application writted or on-line or at least provide permission to Fifth Third by phone to run an application and credit check? Did anybody ever sue Fifth Third for this kind of conduct?
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