I Just Flipped Out

[AnneBoleyn]

I was on the phone just now with my bank. This account only holds disability checks. I'm sorry to tell you this is my only source of income. I am so careful, always have been. I would never write a check without the proper funds available. My last statement confirmed that I had an ending balance of $13.20, and my checkbook tallied. Yet, yesterday, the 2nd of February I received a letter from my bank, dated Janurary 22, informing me I was overdrawn. They were charging me an overdraft of $30.00 plus $5.00 a day from January 23rd on.

I was going to wait until tomorrow, Monday, to go to my local branch. It was really bothering me so I decided to call the 800 number today. Well, it seems my math was correct, but............I had cashed 2 checks worth a total of $30. One was from the government! The woman on the phone told me that they held the 2 checks until they cleared, the hold bringing down my balance of $13.20 to -$17.20. Both checks did clear almost immediately, but in that one day until it cleared I "owed" them $17.20, thus causing the overdraft fee of $30. + $17.20 + (10 days x $5.00) $50.00 = $97.00.

I flipped.

Anger & rage overcame me. I screamed. I screamed "NO, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO STEAL FROM ME! I WON'T LET YOU! over & over &.................

From the depth of my soul "NO I WON'T LET YOU STEAL FROM ME!

I would rather be mugged.

I got it down to where they would "only" charge me $30.00 + 2 days over=$40.00. Forty from 97=-$57.00. Write them a check for $40.00 & everything would be peachy keen.

Anger & rage overcame me. I screamed. I screamed "NO, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO STEAL FROM ME! I WON'T LET YOU! over & over &.................

From the depth of my soul "NO I WON'T LET YOU STEAL FROM ME! A MAJOR CORPORATION IS NOT GOING TO STEAL FROM ME!! THIS POOR PERSON WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO STEAL.

I would rather be mugged. I would rather give the $40.00 to the old black man from Coney Island who sometimes asks for money in my neighborhood. Occasionally I will give him a buck, I tell him it is for good luck for the both of us.

My own screams echoed in my ears even after the forty dollars was finally dropped. I will be checking to make sure it truly is. She said it will register on my account 24-48 hours. I might be late with my co-op maintainence. I will inform them of this so they don't charge me $100.00 for being a day or two late.

When I got off the phone I felt sick from my screaming & burst into tears. It is an hour later & I am starting to feel better.

I won. Enough has been taken from me. I lost every family member except my wonderful son. It won't be taken. I would rather be mugged than have a Major Corporation try to get what little I have left.

I won. Big effin deal, I won.

[Oscar Namechange]

Well done !!!

We had similar of late and my husband also won.



Makes you wonder how many people don't realise and get fleeced.

[AnneBoleyn]

Oscar I know I did right in getting what was mine but the screaming from the depth of my soul made me feel ill & stupid, to the point where I was willing to fight to the death over that $40. bucks.

[theia]

I'm not surprised you flipped, Anne. I would have too. It certainly wasn't stupid...it was a natural reaction to the frustration you must have felt. And for me, I would have been livid at the unfairness of the situation. But, you know, that scream needed to come out and thankfully it did...I'm guessing it expressed far more than anger at the bank?

[Patsy Warnick]

Anne

It shouldn't be a fight - I'm sorry to hear this - I'm sorry you had to get so upset.

If I can help you $ $ - please don't be offended by my offering - please don't hesitate to let me help if needed.

you have a strong will & I admire that.

Patsy

[Bruv]

Well................you frighten me, and I am miles away.

Somebody has to take on the big boys, this time it was you.....thank you from the rest of us nonentities.

[gmc]

Good for you. I hate the bastards.

[LarsMac]

I had a similar event, also.

Sparing the details, I got rather angry and yelled at the person on the phone. She said, Sir, I am sorry if we made a mistake, but I cannot be the brunt of your anger. Please bear with me, and we will get the sorted out. I was rather surprised by her response, and calmed down. We then became a team, working on getting the problem resolved.

I later wrote the bank with a commendation for the person, (Maria, by name)

Being in customer support, myself, I always appreciate it when a professional is on the other end of the phone. I have been at the receiving end of such anger many times. Some people will try to ignore the anger coming from the other end, and work towards "fixing" the problem. Others know that the first thing to do is deal with the anger professionally.

Ann, I am sorry you had such an experience. The person should have stopped trying to explain it to you, and tried to understand the problem.

Instead, they just fanned the flames.

I hope the call was recorded, and listened to by their supervisor.

They need to learn how to more effectively deal with such an event more personally.

[Oscar Namechange]

I've had at least 5 failed direct debit charges cancelled In the last year or two at least by Insisting we are right. On a couple of occassions It was because the RAC and AVIVA Insurance went In twice.... However... I won't bore you with all the details but nothing is as worrying as getting a letter from Aviva In the post saying:

" Some of our customers have found a disruption to their banking. We believe you may be one of the customers affected. If so, please send us a letter from your bank stating how much you have been charged for failed direct debits and we will reimburse you".

It took a year to sort that lot out.....

[AnneBoleyn]

theia;1418987 wrote: I'm not surprised you flipped, Anne. I would have too. It certainly wasn't stupid...it was a natural reaction to the frustration you must have felt. And for me, I would have been livid at the unfairness of the situation. But, you know, that scream needed to come out and thankfully it did...I'm guessing it expressed far more than anger at the bank?


theia, ever since I was a little girl unfairness turned me into a screaming meemee. My mother said I sounded like Fay Wray in King Kong (it has only recently come out, since Ms. Wray died, that she did Not do her own screaming!). I always felt for the "underdog". I was born after the Holocaust & knew many victims. I saw segregation at a young age & that also turned me "nuts". I KNOW there is a lot behind my anger today. I can't stand being taken advantage of, I can't stand there & see it happening to anyone else. I just wish it didn't take so much out of me.

[AnneBoleyn]

Patsy, thank you for your kind words. I don't know you yet, but I feel they are genuine. Your kindness is a wondrous thing.

[AnneBoleyn]

Bruv, I didn't mean to frighten you. I wish you weren't miles away. Thanks from this non-entity.

[AnneBoleyn]

gmc;1418990 wrote: Good for you. I hate the bastards.


Yes, you don't know it yet, but of all the people here YOU are my political twin. I hate the Bastards too.

[AnneBoleyn]

LarsMac;1418991 wrote: I had a similar event, also.

Sparing the details, I got rather angry and yelled at the person on the phone. She said, Sir, I am sorry if we made a mistake, but I cannot be the brunt of your anger. Please bear with me, and we will get the sorted out. I was rather surprised by her response, and calmed down. We then became a team, working on getting the problem resolved.

I later wrote the bank with a commendation for the person, (Maria, by name)

Being in customer support, myself, I always appreciate it when a professional is on the other end of the phone. I have been at the receiving end of such anger many times. Some people will try to ignore the anger coming from the other end, and work towards "fixing" the problem. Others know that the first thing to do is deal with the anger professionally.

Ann, I am sorry you had such an experience. The person should have stopped trying to explain it to you, and tried to understand the problem.

Instead, they just fanned the flames.

I hope the call was recorded, and listened to by their supervisor.

They need to learn how to more effectively deal with such an event more personally.


Actually, LM, I don't think she fanned the flames. She DID explain. It is just that the explanation of how they cheat people (remember, the bank here did not lose a thing, the checks DID clear almost immediately). I just could not live with the explanation. Hitler was able to explain the Final Solution. Not that I'm comparing this to that! but my point is I already understood what they were up to. I JUST FLIPPED OUT. I'm glad it didn't happen in person, I bet I would be arrested. And tasered to boot.

With every explanation of how they cheat people by nickle & diming them it just became more & more unbearable to me. I JUST FLIPPED OUT.

[Patsy Warnick]

Your welcome Anne

and I'm sincere - if you need - please let me help.?

I hope your clam - eat something as you've created acid in your system by being so upset.

crackers - pasta - and a large glass of wine.

Patsy

[AnneBoleyn]

Patsy, I hope Beer is okay! (Stella Artois). I really can't drink wine or spirits, I become too unbearably wonderful.

[tabby]

I'm sorry you went through that today, Anne and it's bound to have left you feeling drained inside. At least your outburst of moral indignation got the charges dropped and maybe you'll sleep well tonight!

[Oscar Namechange]

I understand the Injustice. We all work so hard for our money and we budget carefully only to be screwed up by other people. It's natural to get Irate.

[along-for-the-ride]

LarsMac;1418991 wrote: I had a similar event, also.

Sparing the details, I got rather angry and yelled at the person on the phone. She said, Sir, I am sorry if we made a mistake, but I cannot be the brunt of your anger. Please bear with me, and we will get the sorted out. I was rather surprised by her response, and calmed down. We then became a team, working on getting the problem resolved.

I later wrote the bank with a commendation for the person, (Maria, by name)

Being in customer support, myself, I always appreciate it when a professional is on the other end of the phone. I have been at the receiving end of such anger many times. Some people will try to ignore the anger coming from the other end, and work towards "fixing" the problem. Others know that the first thing to do is deal with the anger professionally.

Ann, I am sorry you had such an experience. The person should have stopped trying to explain it to you, and tried to understand the problem.

Instead, they just fanned the flames.

I hope the call was recorded, and listened to by their supervisor.

They need to learn how to more effectively deal with such an event more personally.


This is so true. We can get so frustrated communicating with a company over the phone about our business. We are just a voice to them as they are to us. I do understand you response, Ann.

I've added this video to your thread because you situation, and many times, our situations, made me think of it:

[Lady J]

Anne....we All FLIP OUT sometime or another....glad to hear it worked out, even thou it must have been an emotionally and physically draining experience. A lot of times it does not and then we feel even more lost.

Kudos to YOU!

Lady J

[weeder]

They ALL take whatever they want........ if we don't stop them. You did. Thats great.

Hospital emergency room billed me 160.00 for a pill that costs 16.00 at the drug store.

I called the CEO of the hospital and said. " Are you people out of your minds?" Charge came off.

I could list 10 other examples. You have to watch out for yourself, and you have to understand that they are all on the take.

In 40 something years of working...... I haven't figured out yet, how to make money without doing anything.

There is a comedienne named CJ Lewis who does a comedy routine on the very subject you describe here. Banks and their fees.

Watch it on U Tube. It will make you laugh and feel better. Your not alone.

You should be proud of yourself.

[Oscar Namechange]

Off course, you'll never see a British person ranting down the phone :sneaky:... stiff upper lip and all that :wah::wah:

[LarsMac]

AnneBoleyn;1419003 wrote: Actually, LM, I don't think she fanned the flames. She DID explain. It is just that the explanation of how they cheat people (remember, the bank here did not lose a thing, the checks DID clear almost immediately). I just could not live with the explanation. Hitler was able to explain the Final Solution. Not that I'm comparing this to that! but my point is I already understood what they were up to. I JUST FLIPPED OUT. I'm glad it didn't happen in person, I bet I would be arrested. And tasered to boot.

With every explanation of how they cheat people by nickle & diming them it just became more & more unbearable to me. I JUST FLIPPED OUT.


Oh, I understand.

The person thought all he/she needed to do was explain to this silly customer why she screwed up her account, and she would shut up and go away, so they could move on to the next customer. They get judged on the number of calls they take in a workday, you know. So then the customer was irate, and they are trained to offer a bone in hopes the customer will just snatch it and slink away - again, there's another call in queue.

The process is all very automatic, and they will have to get a supervisor on the call to actually 'fix' something.

You were possibly a bit over the top, I reckon, but sometimes we just have to "flip out" to get something done.

I do hope you are feeling better. It was a great victory. Treat yourself to something nice, and forget about it.

[AnneBoleyn]

Oh yes, everyone, I was "a bit" over the top as LM says. Tab, AFTR, Lady J & Weeder, thanks so much for taking an interest in me & this situation. You have all warmed my heart & helped me realize how worthy so many of us are.

I did learn a lesson about cashing checks & balances. Even though this never happened before--well, I've never been at this low-level of income before. This won't happen again. I won't break their rules again, of course I didn't think I was at the time, felt I had covered myself. There are pits & traps "they" set for us to fall into.

Victory? If ONE person with a big fat mouth can make a difference, IMAGINE what we can do together.

Thanks to all. It feels so good to know you.

[Patsy Warnick]

Anne

Doing better today?

I had a Uncle who never - never put his money in a bank - never trusted them.

Weeder

My Mother in- law over paid a medical bill @ $1900.00

I told her this wasn't a bill etc. & that I'd recover it - she told me not to bother as I'd never get it back.

It took @ a year maybe longer - alot of work and a check arrived in full.

My Mother in-law died in the middle of all the work so that complicated the recovery of funds - but I wasn't going to stop - that was just a hurdle - it certainly wasn't justification for no payment.

My husband spent C'Mas in the hospital this year @ 10 days - I'm waiting for the bill - I know I'll have to disect the billing & I know I'll have a fight on my hands

As if I don't have enough to do..

That's alright - I've been a fighter all my life - I'm not going to stop now.

Patsy

[AnneBoleyn]

Thanks Patsy, yes, feeling better today. Checked this morning: All funds restored to my account. Decided not to tell my son about this--he kinda thinks I'm nuts as it is, why add to that, eh?

[Patsy Warnick]

Anne

Not knowing your age - but things can get confusing for the elderly as my Mother in-law was 84.oops it should read 89.. time flies when your having fun...!

It was a E.O.B. explanation of benefits not a bill she paid.

I knew the hospital had a credit on the account - you think they'd reimburse - heck NO.

The Insurance Co. paid - she paid - it was a fight - headache really.

and if your the sick person - you think they care - heck NO

My Mother in-law didn't really tell me as we we're quite involved with her care the last few yrs. - I believe it was a bank statement & a banking question that led to viewing that she wrote a check out for that amount - OMG

As for your case - you handled it - all is well - nothing to tell - Bravo

Patsy

[rajakrsna]

Don`t let it get into your nerves. A blood vessel could have ruptured in your brain by getting upset with it. & that would have cost a lot or life if you attend to such things. Be unattached when it comes to money matters. One can always find money if it`s taken away from you. Not health & or your life.

[Patsy Warnick]

Raj

I agree - if you don't have your health - you have nothing..

sometimes the blood pressure rises automatically when you fight for what's right.

Patsy

[AnneBoleyn]

rajakrsna;1419170 wrote: Don`t let it get into your nerves. A blood vessel could have ruptured in your brain by getting upset with it. & that would have cost a lot or life if you attend to such things. Be unattached when it comes to money matters. One can always find money if it`s taken away from you. Not health & or your life.


Raj, I very much appreciate your thoughts. The point of my post was that I completely lost myself -OR- Found myself. If a friend or mugger had stolen the money, if I lost the money out a hole in my pocket, if I foolishly misspent then it would have been different. It was like the straw that broke the camel's back. It was fury & passion over being used by a multi-national conglomerate that was at the heart of the matter.

You have wisdom raj.

[fuzzywuzzy]

AnneBoleyn;1418981 wrote: I was on the phone just now with my bank. This account only holds disability checks. I'm sorry to tell you this is my only source of income. I am so careful, always have been. I would never write a check without the proper funds available. My last statement confirmed that I had an ending balance of $13.20, and my checkbook tallied. Yet, yesterday, the 2nd of February I received a letter from my bank, dated Janurary 22, informing me I was overdrawn. They were charging me an overdraft of $30.00 plus $5.00 a day from January 23rd on.

I was going to wait until tomorrow, Monday, to go to my local branch. It was really bothering me so I decided to call the 800 number today. Well, it seems my math was correct, but............I had cashed 2 checks worth a total of $30. One was from the government! The woman on the phone told me that they held the 2 checks until they cleared, the hold bringing down my balance of $13.20 to -$17.20. Both checks did clear almost immediately, but in that one day until it cleared I "owed" them $17.20, thus causing the overdraft fee of $30. + $17.20 + (10 days x $5.00) $50.00 = $97.00.

I flipped.

Anger & rage overcame me. I screamed. I screamed "NO, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO STEAL FROM ME! I WON'T LET YOU! over & over &.................

From the depth of my soul "NO I WON'T LET YOU STEAL FROM ME!

I would rather be mugged.

I got it down to where they would "only" charge me $30.00 + 2 days over=$40.00. Forty from 97=-$57.00. Write them a check for $40.00 & everything would be peachy keen.

Anger & rage overcame me. I screamed. I screamed "NO, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO STEAL FROM ME! I WON'T LET YOU! over & over &.................

From the depth of my soul "NO I WON'T LET YOU STEAL FROM ME! A MAJOR CORPORATION IS NOT GOING TO STEAL FROM ME!! THIS POOR PERSON WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO STEAL.

I would rather be mugged. I would rather give the $40.00 to the old black man from Coney Island who sometimes asks for money in my neighborhood. Occasionally I will give him a buck, I tell him it is for good luck for the both of us.

My own screams echoed in my ears even after the forty dollars was finally dropped. I will be checking to make sure it truly is. She said it will register on my account 24-48 hours. I might be late with my co-op maintainence. I will inform them of this so they don't charge me $100.00 for being a day or two late.

When I got off the phone I felt sick from my screaming & burst into tears. It is an hour later & I am starting to feel better.

I won. Enough has been taken from me. I lost every family member except my wonderful son. It won't be taken. I would rather be mugged than have a Major Corporation try to get what little I have left.

I won. Big effin deal, I won.


huge court cases happening here because the fees of overdraft and other fees are actually illegal... see a free solicitor. YOu also have an Ombudsmon that takes care of all that kind of bullying.

[YZGI]

I need someone like you working for me Ann. Might allow my blood pressure to even out. I hate having to battle about every little thing just to get what is fair. Yellow pages, credit card rates, bank charges etc. etc..

If you don't do the battle everything costs more.

About 2-3 years ago my wife decide to do the yellow page accounts. This year after doing the first one she told me I had to do the next 2. She was just too stressed after dealing with just the first one and she didn't even finish it, I had to step in cause I could see her stressing so much about it.

[AnneBoleyn]

I used to work for my dad sometimes. Most of his clients were quite wealthy. It was so much fun to hear him on the phone when a bill was late. When he got the overdue client on the phone all he had to say was "Where's my money?" It was usually enough. Ask & ye shall be answered?

[AnneBoleyn]

I re-read my OP, posted again by Fuzz, & I realized something horrible. Federal checks, digital now of course, don't have to clear, they are clear upon receipt. So, of the $30. total, the gov't check was for $25.00 meaning----they tried to charge me $97.00 for a FIVE DOLLAR CHECK.