Should depositors beware of Bank of America?
You would think that depositing your money to a teller at the Bank of America Puente Hills branch is the safest way to keep your money safe. Wrong again! Depositors beware,
you might end up having to run around with your head chopped off, having to prove your deposit.
Case in point, May 3 this writer deposits two checks to a teller at the Bank of America Puente Hills branch; one check was a rebate check for $12.00, the other was a credit union check for $500.00. Both checks were endorsed in front of the teller and acknowledged received by the teller.
May 6 this writer receives a Deposit Correction Advice from the Bank of America
in the mail stating that "An item for $500.00 was not listed between items for $0.00 and
$12.00 and was not enclosed. AMOUNT: $500.00 Your Checking Account:
no. XXXXXXXXXX has been decreased $500.00." In other words, I am only being
credited for the $12.00 and not for the credit union check of $500.00. What happened to
the $500.00 credit union check I deposited and where did it go?
Monday morning, May 10, this writer rushes to the same Bank of America Puente Hills Branch to talk to the manager Erma Rendon to correct the BANK'S MISTAKE!
With the copy of the deposit slip in hand, this writer tried to convince the manager Erma Rendon that her bank made the mistake. This is where the plot thickens. Manager Erma Rendon says the $500.00 check was lost or misplaced. Apparently the deposit slip did not
mean much, even if the copy was mailed back from the bank. NOTE HERE that the deposit was done through a teller, so definitely the checks were handed over to the bank at the time of the deposit.
The manager informs this writer that I should produce the
canceled check or a copy of the canceled check anyway. Erma Rendon says that the check is lost and I should request a copy of the canceled check from the credit union to prove that the check was really issued and cashed by the Bank of America, or if the check was
lost, that I should put a stop payment on the check. I said, "You mean I have to go to my credit union to get a canceled check or a copy of the canceled check that you lost or misplaced on your side of the counter of the bank?"
I fully believed and trusted The Bank of America that after I have handed my money over to be deposited to the Bank of America teller/bank representative, and after the Bank of America (by its teller or representative), acknowledges receipt of my money, the bank should be responsible for the checks if they loose it. Wrong again! According to The Bank of America manager Erma Rendon, it is my problem and responsibility to trace after the
check. Note that meanwhile, while I am trying to run down after a check they misplaced or lost, my account keeps piling up bank charges for cash transfers from my credit card overdraft (how conveniently profitable for the bank).
Furthermore, it is my time that is lost
running after a check the Bank of America would not account for. Bank of America manager Erma Rendon assured me that all I had to do was produce the credit union
canceled check or a copy of the canceled check for the $500.00 and the matter would be resolved. She further assured me that SHE WILL see to it that all the consequent
overdraft charges caused by their mistake (if it was shown to be their mistake) would be returned to me.
May 14th Friday, after obtaining a copy of the canceled check from the credit union proving, by the endorsement of the Bank of America in the back of the check, it comes out that Bank of America did get the money, $500.00.in spite of this proof, bank manager
Erma Rendon insisted that I now should file a claim to the Bank of America to plead my case to get re-credited the $500.00. Wait! I thought all I had to do was furnish her with the canceled check or a copy of it? I protested emphatically having to be the one inconvenienced to do all the work and follow-up when it was clearly the Bank of America's fault. After much resistance from the
manager/representative of the Bank of America Erma Rendon to do the follow-up to rectify what is clearly a mistake of her bank in their part, she capitulates and makes a
telephone call to another segment of the Bank of America.
After bank manager Erma Rendon's brief conversation with someone (I assumed from the head office), I am told to
wait till the evening to check if I get credited for the $500.00 check. If my account does not get credited for the $500.00, I am to TRY getting it recovered/resolved by following it up further with the Bank of America Customer solution (and manager Erma Rendon hands
me a calling card for Bank of America Customer Solutions 1-800-831-4419). I am further instructed by bank manager Erma Rendon to do the follow-up myself and call Bank of
America Customer Solutions to plead to get my overdraft charges reversed if possible.
I requested bank manager Erma Rendon to furnish me with some written confirmation that
the matter was being rectified but she refused to entertain my request.
Saturday, May 15, I called Bank of America Customer Solution as instructed by manager Erma Rendon. I was informed by Ms. Y M of the Customer Solution that there
was no action done because no report or claim had been made as of yet. I had to make the report and claim myself. Wait! I thought all I had to do was furnish branch manager Erma Rendon with the canceled check or a copy of it? Thank you Bank of America!!!
Eric
hacienda heights, California
U.S.A.
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