AMEX Stole My Money! (Thanks to some jerk in Virginia)

[holding on]

Really though, how much trouble is AMEX going to be in? How can you prove that they didn't call a number you used to have? Them grubbers know this. That's why they did it. From their perspective if they got any of your money, its gravy. If they didn't they would just be in the same position, no loss.

Luckily the OP got to it in time. What ticks me off is the bank that allowed this to get to -4k! They should have nixed that immediately. I've heard of alot of banks doing this now. Allowing the huge overdraft (contrary to the limits they document) and then tacking on fees for the overdraft and then late fees for the repayment of it.

[RackingJ]

Luckily the OP got to it in time.

I agree, thankfully she keeps tabs on her account and it wasn't too late.

What ticks me off is the bank that allowed this to get to -4k! They should have nixed that immediately.

I worked at a bank for 13+ years and handled this very thing in my day to day job. The timeframe she gave for refunding was right on. She said it came through on Friday (most banks do their processing after hours), she contacted the bank on Monday and the money would be back in her account by Tues morning. With automated drafts (ACH items) the banks have to let them hit the account and then be reversed back out to show a paper trail or they can be written up when the Fed audits their ACH logs.

I'm sure as someone said, if she hadn't done the stop payment, it would've been returned NSF on Monday anyways. Hopefully her bank did refund any overdraft fees as a courtesy since she did a stop payment order though cause I"m sure there are banks out there who would try to hold on to those fees.

[holding on]

With automated drafts (ACH items) the banks have to let them hit the account and then be reversed back out to show a paper trail or they can be written up when the Fed audits their ACH logs.

Thanks for that info, learn something new everyday!

I'm sure as someone said, if she hadn't done the stop payment, it would've been returned NSF on Monday anyways. Hopefully her bank did refund any overdraft fees as a courtesy since she did a stop payment order though cause I"m sure there are banks out there who would try to hold on to those fees.

depending on the bank, not necessarily. I know of 2 cases where the bank 'honored' the ACH request and paid it. The bank told the customers that they did this as a courtesy. So the accounts are now in negative big time and the bank is now hitting them up for the balance AND tacking on overdraft/late fees. So the customers are in a drawn out fight with the bank.

[RackingJ]

Thanks for that info, learn something new everyday!



depending on the bank, not necessarily. I know of 2 cases where the bank 'honored' the ACH request and paid it. The bank told the customers that they did this as a courtesy. So the accounts are now in negative big time and the bank is now hitting them up for the balance AND tacking on overdraft/late fees. So the customers are in a drawn out fight with the bank.

You're welcome.

I think that part sums it up "depends on the bank" and their customer service or lack of. ;)

[anime-chicka]

Hey Susie, I found this while browsing Consumerist today. If it's not you, then you're not the only one getting the BS from Amex.

[SuzieBK]

Yep, that's us

Hey Susie, I found this while browsing Consumerist today. If it's not you, then you're not the only one getting the BS from Amex.

Yeah, that was my husband's write up. The update is that YAY! by Saturday morning our money was back in our account. We actually didn't need to do the Stop Order b/c the bank NSF'd it (and rightly so!). But because we did the Stop Order, they refunded our NSF charge, so at least they didn't double dip.

I STILL have not gotten an answer from Amex about what number they called. The woman who said that she was going to investigate it on Friday never called back. When I called on Saturday, I was told that it would take at least until Mon-Tues. At this point, I haven't even bothered calling them back. I think what others have said--they didn't call ANYONE. They figured, they owe us money, we're going to take it and see what happens. I'm sure some people (especially if it was a smaller amount) would say, "Well, I do owe the money, so I guess I won't fight for it." I'm just amazed they would think that most people keep an extra $5K sitting in their checking account!

The good thing is that this has lit a fire under our butts. We're pushing to get our info to our attorney tomorrow, then get the forms filled out ASAP, and file before the end of the month. I just really want to get on with things. And as for Amex, they can go screw.

[queenfluff]

Yeah, that was my husband's write up. The update is that YAY! by Saturday morning our money was back in our account. We actually didn't need to do the Stop Order b/c the bank NSF'd it (and rightly so!). But because we did the Stop Order, they refunded our NSF charge, so at least they didn't double dip.

I STILL have not gotten an answer from Amex about what number they called. The woman who said that she was going to investigate it on Friday never called back. When I called on Saturday, I was told that it would take at least until Mon-Tues. At this point, I haven't even bothered calling them back. I think what others have said--they didn't call ANYONE. They figured, they owe us money, we're going to take it and see what happens. I'm sure some people (especially if it was a smaller amount) would say, "Well, I do owe the money, so I guess I won't fight for it." I'm just amazed they would think that most people keep an extra $5K sitting in their checking account!

The good thing is that this has lit a fire under our butts. We're pushing to get our info to our attorney tomorrow, then get the forms filled out ASAP, and file before the end of the month. I just really want to get on with things. And as for Amex, they can go screw.

Yah! Glad you got your money back! Fight! Fight! Fight!

My guess is you won't ever find out what number they called and I wonder if they are even looking into it - because like others are saying they never really called anywhere. Are you changing your bank account?

I say "go screw" too.

I have been hearing the almost extraordinary stories on here - My eyes pop out of my head when I read them. I can't believe these cc's.

[eddiep]

Have you tried calling your old phone number to see if someone even answers?

[anime-chicka]

Good to see a fellow Consumerist. It helps me get through my day at work. I'm also glad to hear that Amex didn't get their money. I assume that the account in question has been closed now, or the bank has at least gotten instructions not to accept any withdrawls from Amex (or any other creditor)?