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Compass Bank - vile to the bone!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

NEW BBVA Compass bank blog: deposits and NSF fees, closing accounts, false police report

The new BBVA Compass blog is at http://liarsandcheats.info/bbva-compass-bank-retaliation-closed-accounts/

The LONG ABOUT page contains my detailed description of events and pictures. I previously posted here about it and it wasn’t a priority until I received a “WARNING” citation from the Kingman police department last week. 

Apparently they filed a FALSE police report, falsely accusing me of TRESPASSING when all I did was cash their checks.  NOBODY ever asked me to leave!

So that just goes to show how the banksters and the cops work together to keep the PEOPLE from exposing their corruption.

They think they’re so powerful, I’d now be too afraid to publish manager Mark Huling’s name and maybe more important, wouldn’t dare to demand answers about their deposit and NSF fee policy.

Fat chance, you morons!

I have a few questions for the Kingman police chief and I want to submit my complaint to BBVA Compass regulator, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.  Of course I don’t expect any action or coherent answers—the point of the exercise is to convince MILLIONS of judgment-proof people to STOP paying their unsecured debts to the large commercial banks.

And I want to encourage all who are NOT judgment-proof and with assets deposited at the large commercial banks to consider moving their funds to community banks.

http://moveyourmoney.info/

Sadly, my closest community bank is over 200 miles away.  I really really hope that the Common Good Bank will finally open this year.  They now have a number of investors and are getting close to having sufficient start-up capital.

And to all of you who think that you’re doing fine and you don’t need to worry:

You’re not going to enjoy living in fear, getting robbed and worrying about your family because too many people have NOTHING.  We’re all in this together.

Monday, December 07, 2009

Compass Bank closed my accounts due to my publications WITHOUT notice

To my horror I found out today that both my business and personal accounts at Compass Bank were CLOSED.  Over the weekend I looked online and I couldn’t understand why the balances were $0.  You can probably imagine how stressed I was and still am.

Found out from their Birmingham office today that they closed my accounts because I have written about Compass Bank on the web and that the Kingman branch made the decision.

So I called the branch and I was transferred to manager Mark. I know his first name because the first time I spoke to him, it was regarding a $3,000 check they were going to put a long hold on and I seriously disliked the guy right then. I had been banking with Compass since 2001 and NEVER had a deposit returned and bouncing checks are usually THEIR fault.

Today, Mark refused to provide his name and he threatened to sue me for $5,000 in small claims if I posted his name on the web.

The real reason they closed my accounts is that I asked Brenda at the branch a couple weeks ago why I get an NSF fee when I have plenty of funds from deposits that day.  I was thoroughly confused by her explanation and I mentioned that I want to put this on the web and I wanted to make sure I had the correct info.  I think she told me to call the main office. 

Apparently, she then decided to see what I’ve written about Compass Bank and found my many OLD posts about their ridiculous charges when THEY made a mistake and about their failure to comply with the FCRA.  This goes back to 2001, when they refused to open an account for me due to Trans Union’s INCORRECT credit reporting and I sued Compass Bank.

There’s a LOT of info at http://fight-back.us/forum/index.php?showforum=1 and I highly recommend my news release:

My 5/6/04 Compass Bank Press Release: A $6 Fee Instead Of A Reward For Returning $500

Branch manager Mark stated that they have the right to do business with whoever they want, but I don’t think that they should be able to close an account without notice.  All checks or debits that come in will be refused. 

Can you imagine having written a bunch of checks or, even worse, traveling and all of a sudden your debit card doesn’t work anymore?

They should have to give a 30 day notice!

Obviously I’m having some problems now, they MAILED a check to my Kingman address.  The monthly web server payment is coming in today.  We’re in the middle of a storm and I don’t even want to go outside.

Compass Bank did exactly what it takes to get me to send out another Compass Bank press release.

Fortunately, I already took the screenshots of the transactions that resulted in the NSF fee.  Preventing me from posting these pictures might have been the primary reason for closing my accounts.

I’ve been very kind to Compass Bank and refrained from posting about them and told many readers who complained to me about them that it’s not just Compass Bank, but that ALL major banks I’ve dealt with only care about profits and exploiting their customers.

Something happened in the last few months—it seems like an orchestrated effort to shut my sites down.  From the [CENSORED] defamation suit to the Wellstone defamation suit (worked on that till 3:30 am last night—will post ASAP) to the Stephen Snyder legal threats and now Compass Bank closing my bank accounts.

I’m only one person with very limited funds, but I’ll do whatever I can to prevail.

UPDATE: I just submitted my comment at http://www.bbvacompass.com/contact/index.cfm?

I’ll greatly appreciate it if you forward to your legal department my posting at http://creditsuit.org/credit.php/blog/comments/compass_bank_closed_my_accounts_due_to_my_publications_without_notice/

I’d like to ensure that my upcoming news release regarding the account closure is accurate and that it is BBVA Compass policy to close accounts of customers who dare to publicize their banking experiences.

Sincerely,

Christine Baker

I’ve been so NOT interested in Compass Bank, I have no idea why they are now “BBVA Compass.” Were they bought up or something?

If I were a BBVA Compass executive, manager Mark would be fired on the spot.  Not necessarily because of what he did, but because he’s the cause of MASSIVE bad publicity for BBVA Compass.

I’ll take a picture of their new logo for my new Compass blog at the branch next time I get to town.

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Reader mail:  wants to put up site for Compass Bank haters

I plan on putting up a website for compass haters, is your forum / site dead (other than the main page) or is there somewhere I can voice my distaste for the bank. I have a scanned statement and a scanned deposit (cash deposit) backing up my argument.

Compassbanksucks.com expires in Nov of 2008 which still wouldn’t make it available for some time after that. Tried compassbank-sucks.com that is taken until next year. I like your domain name, but it seems like no activity.

Let me know,
Thanks,

...

I’m always interested in DOCUMENTED complaints, especially if the efforts to resolve the issues are included. The reader should put together his documentation on a free web page and if it looks good, I’ll be glad to repost it.

Of course the activity is here and at my new sites:

http://creditsuit.org/credit.php/blog/contact/

I just noticed that the newest sites aren’t even listed yet:

http://newdebtcollectionlaw.info/ is my latest project along with http://credit-crisis.info/ How the banks screw people is definitely a reason for the credit crisis.

And then there’s the Fight Back closed forum, I could post it there too: http://fight-back.us/forum/index.php?showforum=1

http://newdebtcollectionlaw.info/ is going to be much broader, I just installed a members only forum to discuss issues such as starting a credit union and TAKING ACTION instead of just whining and complaining.  I need a logo.

Why be a HATER instead of a DOER?

Sure, I hate the banks, the credit bureaus, their lying lawyers ...  But I’m not going to waste my time hating.  There’s way too much to DO.

I wonder if the reader watched the common good bank slideshow? http://creditsuit.org/credit.php/blog/comments/watch_the_common_good_bank_slideshow_and_sign_up/

Once the new sites are all up and running, I’ll try to get to updating all my “dead” sites with links. 

That’s if there are any people who actually want to DO something, DOCUMENT what’s wrong and actively work on creating an alternative banking/credit system.

I noticed this strange advertisement in the reader’s email.  First I thought it was just your normal hotmail / yahoo ad.  But it’s a cox email and looks like the ad was put there deliberately. 

The ad is for the “Best Credit Card Interest Rates” with links to Citibank, Bank of America, American Express, Discover and Chase

It’s a credit card advertisement site, the type that has no content but ads for credit cards and you get about $20 - $60 for each signup.  Maybe this reader is one of the morons who make hate sites for money.

I hope that this reader doesn’t think that any of these banks are BETTER than Compass Bank.  I’ve actually been quite happy with Compass Bank.  Absolutely NO fees, one free overdraft per year and a few months ago they deposited $25 in my account for customer appreciation.  Knock on wood, I haven’t had to bitch at them in years.  The last problem was NSF fees due to a hold on a check and they apologized, refunded my NSF fee and I think they also paid the credit card NSF/late fees.

Of course I realize that I’ve just been lucky (and extremely diligent) to avoid NSF fees and not so lucky that I didn’t have any more checks to deposit that could cause problems with holds.

If you think that Chase, Citi, BofA etc. are better banks, you’re delusional.  Why advertise THEM?

I really wish the Common Good Bank had an easier time coming up with the initial funding, but it’s not the end of time.  Let’s find a good CU that’s looking for members or start our own.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Reader mail:  Compass Bank on NSF fee rampage

Apparently a charge to my debit card for $87.47 put my account over $83.08.

This was the last Actual charge on my account on 4/07. According to compass accounting practices since this was a larger debit it was posted before other debits, 9 other debits to be exact. compass charged my account 9 NSF fees for $38.

There was a deposit of $500 posted on this day also but according to compass, deposits do not count until all debits have cleared. The weird part is there is a debit for $14.58 posted after the deposit. 9 $38 nsf fees posted on 4/08. Of course the fees posted first. Then more charges posted this day and everything cleared but the fees eating my $500.

On 4/09 anothe nsf fee for $38 appeared for who knows what. A $300 deposit posted on this day. This fee and for other debits each under $10 resulted in in 4 $38 nsf fees posting first on 4/10. 3 debits for under $10 were assessed fees. 4/11 3 more $38 nsf fees posted and a $3 dollar debit which resulted in another fee. A $360 deposit was posted on this day, but of coarse deposits don’t count until debits.4/14 one nsf fee posted 6 debits of which 4 were assessed fees.

4/15 4 fees 2 debits of coarse both were assessed fees. 4/16 2 fees and 1 deposit for $170. 4/18 1 draft on account which results in $38 fee on 4/21. On 4/21 a $45 overdraft fee was accessed. On 4.22 a large deposit was automatically made of which $371 was taken by fees.

On 4/07 a $83.08 overdraft cost me 26 $38 nsf fees and a $45 od fee.

The same day a deposit was posted that should have covered this whole mess. I called compass 10 times but each time I was told that these were legitimate bank charges.

I plan on picketing the bank that the account was opened at. I plan on calling every news station in town. Banks were supposed to keep our money safe not keep our money. I am thinking about buying a safe and going cash only.No money in the banks means no Banks.

Compass is supposed to be rebating my ATM fees and I have never seen a rebate. Compass doesn’t care about their customers they only care about the customers money.

That’s really incredible and you’re one of the few people who are able to review a bank statement.  But, you also really need a reality check:

1) The banks have NOT been established to “keep our money safe.”

They are FOR PROFIT corporations. 

WATCH the FREE videos on money and banking at http://creditfactors.com/resistance/

2) Sign up for the Common Good bank

Support the people who want to establish the kind of bank you’re looking for and SIGN UP!

3) Vote with your money.

If you have large unsecured debts and your pantry isn’t well stocked, consider NOT paying the banks anymore.

Unfortunately, none of the politicians care about the PEOPLE.

At this time, there’s not one person on the ballot who is sincere and NOBODY is talking about monetary reform, credit reporting and scoring, vile collection practices or any other important consumer issues. 

The politicians are bought and paid for by the corporations and bankers and while there isn’t anything you can do about it, don’t waste your time campaigning. 

CLUE:  There is NO difference between the Democrats and Republicans.

It’s a dog and pony show.

You’re on your own, we’re in for tough times, so prepare accordingly.

It’s not the end of time, but don’t count on the government to help you out if you aren’t a bank executive.

Picketing and contacting news is a total waste of time.  Focus on alternatives.  I don’t know enough about this reader to make specific recommendations. Using only cash only is one alternative, but very expensive and risky. Credit is better if you qualify. 

Debt is leverage and gives you the power to vote with your money.

If you know people who are struggling to keep up with credit card debt, make sure they know that they don’t HAVE to pay and that the creditors can’t squeeze blood out of a turnip.  Each state has different laws for garnishment, so educate yourself and your friends and hit the banks where it hurts.

Monday, September 18, 2006

Reader mail: NSF charges due to DUPLICATE charges by restaurant

Hi Christine,

Unfortunately, my husband and I have had the same problem with Compass. It really started when I added him on my account.  We have been getting NSF charges up the wazoo and we don’t know why because we balance our checkbook regularly and watch what we spend.  A few months ago my husband was charged double at a restaurant (two totally different amounts I might add).  So, we went to dispute the amount that was not practicable.  We went through a representative and she told us specifically what to do and to sign the form and she sent it in to corporate.  Well, I got a letter back from customer service who was handling it and she said there was not enough information on it.  Wait, wasn’t this done with the help of someone that knew what to do? I guess not! We have been hit with several 36 dollar charges. Now, I just looked on my bank account and saw 6 $36 NSF charges totaling $180!! Here’s the deal, we put in $600 in cash on 9/11.  On 9/12, these charges came about! What is wrong? What happened? I hate Compass and want to dispute. 

What is the first thing I need to do? I realize that speaking to customer service might be pointless.  I know we need to change banks pronto but I’m not leaving without a fight.  Any ideas? Where can I make the biggest scene? Thanks so much for your help on this.  It’s good to know someone is on my side!

Making a scene is not the way to get results.  Personally, I have no problem with having the cops show up with their lights flashing at all entrances because I need witnesses.  Cops make excellent witnesses and it’s nice to have all the employees and customers become aware of the problem.  But, it doesn’t solve the problem.  You usually need to SUE to take advantage of the police report and witnesses.

In your case, I don’t know how useful that would be anyway, I needed witnesses to document that Home Savings (now Washington Mutual) refused to accept my mortgage payment.  I didn’t even have to sue, they reversed all fees, the filing of the NOD, etc. and sent me over $2,000 for my expenses.  I finally had their accounting screwups problems resolved by my representative (not a lawyer, charged only $45/hr back in about 97).  They knew I wasn’t bluffing when I promised the suit if they didn’t pay up.

Can you DOCUMENT that you contacted the restaurant, requesting a credit for the double charge?

Everybody makes mistakes and everybody should get a chance to CORRECT their mistakes.  Obviously, Compass Bank just wants to charge you lots of NSF fees. 

I think that they SHOULD have immediately credited the disputed amount and any resulting NSF fees upon receipt of your dispute.

*** I *** would get the credit for the NSF fees from Compass and at least a few free meals from the restaurant.  I wouldn’t get those credits by making a scene, but by publishing the FACTS, my DOCUMENTATION and my opinions, and if that doesn’t do the job, file the lawsuit - against Compass and the restaurant.

I’ve had Compass Bank reverse the NSF fee and PAY the creditor’s fees for a refused payment and the subsequent late fee due to their error.  I didn’t even have to make a big deal out of it, but that could be because I’ve previously sued Compass Bank.