Corporate puppeteers

My gripe this morning began a couple weeks ago and came to a head with a needy ATM machine. As a member of now two different banks with checking accounts I decided it was time to let one of them go. Although it didn't carry quite the emotional weight as, say, putting down a beloved pet, it was just something I had to do. A few direct withdrawals existed that pulled money from this old account had to be switched over to the new one. My first attempt came with my auto and rental insurance company. Sadly, to me, I couldn't arrange for the switch over the phone and so needed to fax or snail mail in my request. I chose fax and, amidst a provided number mix-up, the documents didn't get there on time and the insurance company withdrew funds I no longer had in my old account. So, for each transaction USBank (there, I identified them) charged a whopping $29(!) in overdraft charges. From there a negative balance on a checking account sucks $7/day! What the hell is this suppose to do to people? Fortunately for me paying this wasn't a problem and, in fact, because of the fax number problem Pemco event sent me a check for the overdraft charges.

Seriously though... What is a normal person to do when a bank rapes them like this then continues to do so daily? I was fortunate I keep track of my balance online but what about someone who patiently waits for their monthly statements? The charges would be out of control! This is the greed that makes our country and its people go into so much debt. Company's should have the ability to give a polite phone call warning of the overdraft charges and what the best ways to take care of them is. Heck, maybe even offer a couple free classes a year to help teach normal folks about banking practices and how to avoid this sort of thing. At least warn me about how much this sort of thing will cost me so I can make a more informed banking choice from the very beginning. Oye. I just wonder how anyone would get ahead or out of this sort of thing if a huge corporation is willing to blindly punish someone for such a simple problem. Makes me a bit sick.

Oh, and this morning, I was repeatedly beeped at by an ATM machine that was cranky because I didn't have a deposit envelope ready for the depositing. Stupid machine!

Needless to say, I'm dumping the USBank account I've held since high school and focusing my banking at BECU from now on. Seems, thus far, that they don't have as many blind practices in place and, heck, they might actually care about their customers since they're a Washington company for Washington residents.

Comments (4) | To Top

11/20/2004 @ 4:19pm

BECU's great. I have been a member since I was about 13. Never had more than a couple issues in all those years.

by Kristin

11/20/2004 @ 5:54pm

Seriously -- I couldn't believe when those charges showed up for an overdraft. I just feel sorry for people who get caught up in that kind of stuff. Especially when it comes to those payday loan places.

BECU is good stuff. I'm really glad they opened up to all Washington residents.

by KevinFreitas

10/21/2005 @ 12:13pm

by Rodney Bake

10/21/2005 @ 12:13pm

From: rbake@kc.rr.com
Subject: USBank Killed Me
Date: October 21, 2005 1:20:38 PM CDT
To: powercopy@WordSleuth.com

From: rbake@kc.rr.com
Subject: US Bank has killed me.
Date: October 21, 2005 12:33:23 PM CDT
To: CHRISTI.L.HANSEN@usbank.com

Ms. Hanson, Director of Benefits

I tried to contact MerckMedco regarding filling some of my meds last week. I used the contact window on the website. I could not get my password to work. I did not receive a response. A nurse called me a couple months ago and I expressed my concerns to her. She said would check and see what options I might have. I did not hear back from her.

I filled my three HIV meds. That is all I could manage. All the cash that was left after utilities. I have decided not to take them. I will not be able to purchase these meds next month. Off and on again will render them useless.

My home is on the market. I figure that I might be able to pay for my meds with the little equity I have for a couple years before the financial vices imposed by USBank upon disabled employees and the governments cut in assistance for AIDS drugs. If I have to reduce my price to find a buyer or to avoid foreclosure, there will not be that option either.

I may not last that long. Because even with these meds my measures are less than 20% of yours. I am immediately at risk for opportunistic infections such as PCP Pnuemonia, thrush, lymphoma, Karposi's Carcinoma, callapsed lungs, other respiratory and auto immune infections, etc. I have witnessed patients that endure these painful and distressingly horrible illnesses.

5 years ago USBank noted in their employee manual that they would place the burden of health care costs upon those that were using these services. This policy violates the principles of insurance which is to spread the burden of catastrophic health care costs among many. You as Director of Benefits was a party to these decisions. I am not only suggesting but claim that these policies have now killed me. I have given up.

Many have probably given up and were not empowered to address others about the life and death consequences of corporate and government policy. I want you to know so that every time you open up the employee manual that remember Rodney and his heroic efforts to maintain his health and that you are a part to his death.

I once participated in clinical trials partly to reduce the costs of my care to the company. One of those drugs was Norvir produced by Abbott. Abbott increase the cost of Norvir $400 percent last year. We complain about price gauging of gasoline for a dollar or two. I regret participating.

Thank you.

Rodney Bake
4330 McGee St.
Kansas City, MO 64111-1726
816-561-3799

PS I can no longer afford to operate my vehicle. I will park my vehicle, at the most visible legal parking place with USBank Killed Me! sprayed on the sides of it.

I am angry and bitter about the company I once took pride in. I think justifiably so.

cc U.S. Bank Benefit Appeals Committee
U.S. Bank - EP-MN-R2BN
4000 West Broadway
Robbinsdale, MN 55422-2299
Fax (763) 971-1285

by Rodney Bake