On June 10 I opened a 'Silver Service' checking account (24-814-XXX) with a $500 SouthTrust check and $160 in cash. I soon received a box of checks and a check card (4606 2525 0706 XXX, exp 6/06).
I subsequently deposited a check for $27.45 and later $170.00 cash into this account while writing 5 checks on the account:
$50.30 Bell South
34.39 AT & T
25.64 South Trust
18.23 Chase
11.94 MBNA
SouthTrust Bank sent me a monthly statement dated June 23rd showing the opening deposit, the $27.45 deposit and that I had earned 6 cents in interest.
All of the checks written on this account were returned, including the one written to South Trust, and stamped "Uncollected Funds". The one to Bell South was returned twice. I had spoken to the woman branch manager on 7/2 about the account and had been assured that no check had been presented or returned on my account.
It became obvious that this information was NOT correct and on 7/5/03 I spoke to 800 Number Supervisor Bo Williams who looked at my account and told me that the above listed checks had been returned (in the order listed above) on 6/30,6/24,6/23/6/27 & 6/27. They were all stamped "uncollected funds", Supervisor Williams has printed out copies and will send them to me.
I have further learned that a 'hold' was put on my account on june 12th by the Acworth branch. This is just 2 days after opening the account! The Acworth manager had told me that the hold was placed by Birmingham. This detail can be checked as the employee number was given when the hold was placed.
In effect I never had any account with South Trust. They opened the account, accepted deposits, sent out a statement showing my balance, the 800 number tells me my 'available balance' ($857.51) but they returned 5 checks and have had a hold on my account since 6/12/03.
South Trust Bank has my home number and my address but no one at South Trust bothers to tell me that I have a hold on the account (or why I have one!). Quite the opposite, they keep accepting deposits, send out statements and the 800 number claims I have an 'available balance'.
The first I knew of any problem with the account was a June 26th letter from a Wanda Miller with a South Trust Birmingham address (no phone number given). This letter got to me July 2nd.By this time the account had been 'frozen' for 21 days with NO NOTICE TO ME!
This Bank clearly has no idea what it is doing and they give out incorrect information 50% of the time I speak with them. They have caused me to incur service charges of $29 for each of the 5 returned checks and perhaps 5 additional charges as most firms 'redeposit' checks a second time. It is quite likely that my credit bureau reports will now show 5 late payments perhaps with notations of my issuing bad checks. My reputation and standing in the community have now been compromised.
I have written to both the Acworth branch manager and to Mr. Fredi Deusch, Regional VP 600 West Peachtree, Atlanta, Ga 30308 (Fax 404 853 5707) and demanded the following:
A) an immediate explanation for this outragous conduct,
B) a written apology for the bank's actions,
C) their payment of any and all fees assessed by credit card companies and utilities,
D) a letter to each of the 5 firms whose checks they in effected 'bounced' despite my having ample funds on hands to cover the checks,
E) $1,000 compensation for the aggrevation and inconvenience caused to me.
The conduct of this bank is deplorable and without any foundation. Any consumer who is thinking of doing business with SouthTrust Bank should take their business to other banks or risk being treated like I have been.
Avoid southtrust bank!
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