Washington Mutual Bank
Why You Shouldn't Bank With WaMu... Hassle, Charged Fees, Couldn't Close the Account

12/11- I opened a checking account at the bank on John Young Parkway, Orlando location a few months ago. The rep tells me I MUST open a savings account, even after I explain I do not want one with WaMu.
She explains I will not be charged any fees and that $5 will automatically be transferred monthly from my checking account, adding I can transfer it back. I ask if it is really required and I am told yes.

3/19- I requested both my checking and savings accounts to be closed via email. I received a response stating my checking account was overdrawn by $40.00. It seems like WaMu will allow a debit card transaction to go through even when there are not enough funds. Okay, expensive lesson learned. I deposit the funds and request again that both accounts be closed.

3/31- WaMu posts a service fee of $5 to my savings account - after I send the 2nd request for the accounts to be closed. I email customer service again and state the savings account was requested to be closed and the "automatic transfer of $5 monthly" and service fees should not have been posted, but either way it should have been credited back anyway per the original agreement at the time the checking account was opened. I received a response back this week stating they are unable to close the account since it is overdrawn by $5.

4/7- 2nd request to close all accounts. Checking account finally closed. Email response received stating the savings cannot be closed due to an overdrawn balance of $5.

5/8- I explain again the $5 is a fee WaMu charged and should be refunded back as agreed to and requested for it to be closed almost 2 months ago.

EMAIL COPY FROM WAMU - 5/9 Thanks for contacting WaMu, now a part of Chase!

As per your request, I reviewed your account and found that the account ending in 5255 is currently being overdrawn in the amount of $5. The overdrawn amount must be paid immediately to close the account.

So, today is May 11 and I am still trying to get this account closed. Why should I have to pay $5 to WaMu when they did not refund the service fee they promised to do so? Check it out-

4/30 *refund service charge $5.00 ($5.00)
4/30 *service charge $5.00 ($10.00)
3/31 *service charge $5.00 ($5.00)
2/27 *refund service charge $5.00 $0.00
2/27 *service charge $5.00 ($5.00)
2/17 xfr/olb transfer to *xxxx $5.00 $0.00
2/11 *automatic savings plan credit $5.00 $5.00
1/30 *refund service charge $5.00 $0.00
1/30 *service charge $5.00 ($5.00)
1/14 xfr/olb transfer to *xxxx $5.00 $0.00
1/12 *automatic savings plan credit $5.00 $5.00
12/31 *refund service charge $5.00 $0.00
12/31 *service charge $5.00 ($5.00)

Do you really want to bank with WASHINGTON MUTUAL - DISORGANIZED, HASSLE TO WORK WITH, CHARGES FEES TO CLOSE AN ACCOUNT??? With so many banks out there today who really, really want your business, go open your account with a reputable company who makes it easy to bank with them.

Company: Washington Mutual Bank
Country: USA
State: Nationwide
Site: www.wamu.com

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