Bank Of America Customer? Bury Your Money In A Mason Jar In The Backyard Instead
Every day, the mail brings a new giftie-poo, thanks to Bank of America. Today, it was a notice that my Kaiser health insurance was in jeopardy because the direct deduction I have from my checking account didn't go through.
For those of you just tuning in, I was forced to close my account in a rush after Bank of America tellers doled out $12,000 of my money in seven separate occasions. SEVEN SEPARATE OCCASIONS! Oh, and did I mention that they gave the money, in at least one, and probably all of these instances, to a large black woman with missing teeth and a fake driver's license in my name? Oh yeah, and with the wrong expiration date!
In between calling the credit bureaus, credit card companies (past and present), department stores with credit cards, the DMV, the post office, the Social Security Administration, companies that had denied this thief instant credit, and dealing with numerous BofA employees who mainly seemed to see their job as preventing me from getting answers or a letter of fraud in a timely manner so I could make a police report...well, gee whiz...it seems it slipped my mind that I'd have to change my Kaiser direct deposit to the new account number.
I'm now being charged a $25 fee by Kaiser, and I have to reapply for direct deposit, worry that my health insurance will be cancelled, and now, get them money this month and maybe next, I'm not sure, by check -- which I'm now too afraid to send through the mail or have handled by anyone who's a stranger. More time eaten, thanks to Bank Of America, who brag through one of their P.R. ladies, Betty Riess, that they have "multiple layers of security," clearly have no such thing.
I am tighter with my personal data than probably anybody but Bruce Schneier (for example, I don't use a debit card, consider checks risky instruments, etc.). Because the fraud started right after I put money in my IRA and was asked to update my driver's license info, I suspect that this information the thief has (birthdate, social security number, driver's license number) came from somebody at BofA, or from somebody who did or does data entry for BofA. Can't be sure, but the combination of information the thief had, including my account number, leads me to believe my suspicion correct.
I asked the employee at BofA who both took my IRA information and closed my account when the morons there finally stumbled on the fraud, to send me the form she had me put the updated driver's license info into. That was last week. Mail here takes a day. I'm getting angrier and angrier. Also, more and more suspicious.
Meanwhile, these arrogant cretins think they're going to deny me the tape of the perp so I can try to find her and have her prosecuted. Sorry, but those of you who read me here can probably imagine that I don't come off as a person who takes no for an answer easily.
I've got a book to write, but I'm going to call the Peggy Noonan of Bank of America on Tuesday -- a woman named Nereida Claudius, VP; Customer Advocate, Office of the Chairman, who has that same "soothe the mental patient voice" as the WSJ columnist/former speechwriter. She's going to have to do better than sound soothing, however, because she sent me a letter, dated June 5, in which she says:
"Although I must respectfully decline your person request for any available photos of the alleged perpetrators, please allow me to assure you that Bank of America will fully cooperate with any investigation you may choose to pursue through law enforcement channels."
What bullshit. Surely, they know the police are too busy and really not interested in pursuing identity theft cases unless they have piles of evidence they can break a ring. (Did I mention that numerous cops and even a detective told me that?)
I made a police report on May 30, and called the cops on June 11, and they hadn't even looked at my case. They are just flooded with cases like mine. Hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of them flying in all the time.
I talked to cop after cop and finally got to the right detective in West L.A., and, on the advice of a detective I'd spoken to downtown, schmoozed her and tried to convince her that my case was different, solvable, to get them to even look into it. I told her all the legwork I'd done, that I thought the data the thief had probably came out of BofA or data entry people they used, and why, and on and on.
Meanwhile, I know the reality, and it's that unless I'm allowed this tape and allowed to pursue the thief, I will continue to be victimized, and so will many people who aren't as...can't believe I'm saying this...lucky as I am, and that's because I had frozen my credit prior to Bank of America allowing me to be financially ass-raped under the pretense that they have some sort of security protecting their account holders.
Oh, and as for their investigators, if they actually find something, do you think they're going to announce it to the public? My neighbors have just had their BofA cards compromised, they were told, and they can't get anyone on the phone who can tell them where, how, or why.
If I don't get action out of them on this tomorrow -- as in, get the tape of the thief released to me -- because I'm so consumed with writing my book, and a bit behind on it thanks to them, I'm calling the network news to see if they might be interested in exposing this. Meanwhile, I'm adding Bank of America to my chapter "The Business of Being Rude."
Here's an ABC News story by Elisabeth Leamy with news of (and comments from) other Bank of America customersvictims:
Not-So-Safe-Deposit BoxesSan Francisco resident Carla Ruff's safe-deposit box was drilled, seized, and turned over to the state of California, marked "owner unknown."
"I was appalled," Ruff said. "I felt violated."Unknown? Carla's name was right on documents in the box at the Noe Valley Bank of America location. So was her address -- a house about six blocks from the bank. Carla had a checking account at the bank, too -- still does -- and receives regular statements. Plus, she has receipts showing she's the kind of person who paid her box rental fee. And yet, she says nobody ever notified her.
"They are zealously uncovering accounts that are not unclaimed," Ruff said.
To make matters worse, Ruff discovered the loss when she went to her box to retrieve important paperwork she needed because her husband was dying. Those papers had been shredded.
And that's not all. Her great-grandmother's precious natural pearls and other jewelry had been auctioned off. They were sold for just $1,800, even though they were appraised for $82,500.
"These things were things that she gave to me," Ruff said. "I valued them because I loved her."
Bank of America told ABC News it deeply regrets the situation and appreciates the difficulty of what Mrs. Ruff was going through. The bank has reached a settlement with Ruff and continues to update its unclaimed property procedures as laws change.
Here's a comment below that story:
My recently deceased father left over $42,000 in Savings & other accounts at * with my brother named as Trustee. An unauthorized family member with NO legal standing, not named on the account or was not a check signer was able to get Bank of America to empty/raid my deceased fathers accounts. Now I am holding thousands of dollars of my dad's final medical expenses with no funds to pay for them. My dad took pride in paying his bills on time and had a perfect credit record. He stated my times prior to his death that his final expenses were to be paid and them the balance of any monies to be split among children. * took it upon themselves to disperse his money how they saw fit, disregard the names on the account and totally abuse the trust my dad had put in them to safekeep his hard earned money. Now we have to pay thousands in legal fees we don't have to get the money back, seek criminal prosecution against that family member and all because * is a giant in the banking industry and we are just "the little people". In searching for legal aid I found a Class Action Lawsuit against * filed in October 2004 for the very same thing they did to us. What can we do to stop this from happening to others...Their arrogance is amazing. They are so big and have endless resources they can cheat and steal from anyone not paying attention or violate all forms of trust. Can someone help us?
I tried to find the guy, but no luck.
Let's see how intelligent they are at Bank of America. Place your bets: Who thinks they'll be blockheaded enough to keep stonewalling me, and who thinks that will actually get me to sit down, cross my legs, and shut up?
These stories are barely credible. Are all US banks similarly incompetent?
Norman at June 17, 2008 2:20 AM
Amy,
When I read this: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2008/06/15/idtheft.html?cxntnid=amn061608e in the news this morning I immediately thought of you.
What's needed are some real laws with real teeth... not to punish the perpetrators of ID theft (but that would be nice too), but rather to hold the facilitators (such as BoA) accountable for allowing these crimes to happen with such indiscriminate ease.
Included in such laws would be verbiage compelling the facilitators to restitute the victims for all costs and lost time and wages incurred.
G_R
Gunner Retired at June 17, 2008 4:15 AM
Amy
You should see how agressive thier collections agents are. Leaving messages on my voice mail, trying to reach my neighbor RE: thier delinquent mortgage. As to thier refusal to relinquish survielance footage from bank cameras, you might try A reputable private investigation firm. Sometimes they have access to ( Confidential ) materials through inside sources Etc. I myself was recently victimised by identity thieves, but fortunately everyone I dealt with was most co-operative. Even to providing me with names, billing and shipping addresses for all the merchandise they had ordered with my credit card number.
teebone at June 17, 2008 4:35 AM
Amy -
About 20 years ago, my mother had a similar thing happen to you - where a bank's fuckup caused her insurance payment to bounce.
Here's how she fixed it - and got all the fees paid:
She called the banking commissioner and told him that the bank had screwed up her account (automatic deduction of a mortgage payment went through three times for one month, overdrawing the account - and everything else bounced because of it).
She wound up getting all the bounce fees reinstated, and a letter from the bank to each of the entities whose payments bounced explaining that the bank had cause the problem.
This is also a good time to suggest that perhaps an automatic deduction from checking is a bad thing. Will Kaiser take a credit card? If so, get yourself a card with a limit high enough to pay maybe three months of the Kaiser bill, and just pay that off every month yourself.
Kick 'em in the nuts, Amy! Someone's gotta teach these bastards that discriminating against criminals is a GOOD THING.
brian at June 17, 2008 5:14 AM
I left B of A after looking at a statement one month and realizing they had charged me almost $300 in various fees. For a standard month. I would NEVER bank with them again.
Kick their ass, Amy.
I am pretty happy with wellsfargo, for what it's worth.
momof3 at June 17, 2008 5:27 AM
Egads, what a colossal bummer you've been dealing with, Amy! Those bastards! (said in best Stan Marsh voice) o_O
Flynne at June 17, 2008 6:15 AM
Someone I know had an awful experience with Bank of America. He blogged about his ordeal at:
http://www.ryananddebi.com/2007/12/12/bank-of-america-satans-bank/
Andrea at June 17, 2008 7:10 AM
This should cheer you up Amy
http://www.womanist-musings.com/2008/06/feminism-what-you-don-know-could-fill.html
This woman wants to know why people dont like feminism. And I know how much you love educating stupid people
lujlp at June 17, 2008 7:11 AM
As to thier refusal to relinquish survielance footage from bank cameras, you might try A reputable private investigation firm.
I actually need to subpoena the tape, and there are complications with that. Emmanuelle Richard, who is a P.I. sent me a legal letter (citing the appropriate laws) to get documents from businesses that have had this woman apply for credit there, but the tape is a different story I think.
Brian, I LOVE the idea of calling the banking commissioner. I must find out who that is.
What's really getting to me is that, because of the book deadline, I'm not able to go full speed ahead on this. But, I'm not going to let this drop. They want me to unleash some news organization on them, I will. I don't understand why I have to do this, though, when they clearly have policy that let me get screwed, and advertise differently.
Can't wait to look at the feminism thing! And the other blog item. Thanks, guys, for all the support.
If you can pass the link along, I'd be most grateful. Also, please consider freezing your credit!
Amy Alkon at June 17, 2008 7:26 AM
That's so weird. Some years ago I worked for a bank (a savings bank in the Northern Virginia area) and as an assistant branch manager I wrote letters for customers several times taking responsibility for errors that were not actually ours. In every case, the customer made a mistake but was forthright about it and we made an agreement on fees (I usually refunded some part of the total) and for the customer's benefit, I would write a letter to a business that the bank had made an error and the customer shouldn't be faulted.
I thought it good customer service to do so when the bank suffered nothing by my so doing.
Good luck with it Detective Amy.
BlogDog at June 17, 2008 7:26 AM
This story makes me want to curl up in a corner and cry while rocking back and forth. Back and forth. Back and forth. People are horrendous.
Gretchen at June 17, 2008 7:34 AM
Wow...
As a current BOA customer, I'm looking to get out of Dodge fast!
Does anyone have any recommendations for a bank that may actually care about protecting my hard earned money?
Katelyn at June 17, 2008 7:43 AM
I like Compass Bank myself.
Go get 'em, Amy. Those bastards are going to rue the day they tangled with you. :)
Ann at June 17, 2008 7:55 AM
After all the crap my mother dealt with concerning BOA she started with US Bank, I dont know if they are a national cain or not but she acctually got a job at one of their branches for a few moths part time. She says she'll never bank anywhere else again
lujlp at June 17, 2008 7:57 AM
A few months ago, my purse was stolen with my driver's license and one credit card inside (it's just plain stupid to carry lots of unnecessary documents and credit cards). I promptly canceled the credit card and, on the advice of the police, I froze my credit. (I'm with you, Amy -- everyone should freeze their credit).
However, I discovered to my horror that there is no way (in New York, at least) to cancel your driver's license. Oh, you can get a replacement license, but you don't get a new number. Your new license is exactly like your old license, and absolutely no notation of any kind is made on your driving record stating that your license was stolen and that extra scrutiny should be given to anyone using the license for any purpose. Taking aside the whole identity theft horror, that also means that the thief could run up driving violations in my name, commit a terrorist act using my ID, pass bad checks, etc. etc. The police and the DMV told me that my only recourse was to be vigilant about constantly checking my driving record and credit report for accuracy.
I find this ridiculous. I mean, they'll make notations when I move states, change addresses, or commit a moving violation, but they can't put a notation on the record stating that the license was reported stolen and extra scrutiny is in order? I've been thinking about petitioning New York State to change this incredibly stupid policy.
I'm so sorry about your ordeal, Amy. Bank of America should have to reimburse your $12,000. Their f*cked up security is clearly at fault.
Gail at June 17, 2008 8:40 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2008/06/17/bank_of_america.html#comment-1559584">comment from GailThanks so much, Gail. I'm going to talk about what you say here when I call BofA today.
Amy Alkon at June 17, 2008 8:47 AM
I just checked -- you are luckier in California. You CAN have your license number changed, and you CAN have a fraud alert put on your license. http://ag.ca.gov/idtheft/tips.htm
Needless to say, I'd do it immediately if I were you! (I'm assuming that the fat toothless woman has your real driver's license number? Or did BofA not even check that?)
My quickie research indicates that some states are intelligent enough to make such precautions available, and some aren't. It's just f*cking batshit stupid that New York doesn't. That does it -- I'm starting my campaign to harass the NY DMV and state government until they change this.
Gail at June 17, 2008 8:59 AM
She has my real driver's license number. The more I ponder the combination of information she has, the more I feel it came from BofA.
Amy Alkon at June 17, 2008 9:01 AM
Get this! I just called to find out why, when I called last Wednesday, to request the form where I filled out my updated driver's license info, that I haven't gotten it in the mail.
The woman who both did my IRA and took my identity theft report and closed my account said, as her excuse:
“I'm sorry. We’re really, really busy.”
Can you believe this? They allowed me to be victimized and they're too busy to sweep up after it in the most minor way? To mail me the form that probably was the thing that allowed me to be victimized?
Amy Alkon at June 17, 2008 9:07 AM
Amy,
I agree it seems like the information she got came from BofA. Yet you seem baffled by how she "got away with it."
...if someone gave her that information how is it "baffling" that someone also didn't raise the red flags when this woman was withdrawing your money? I'm not necessarily talking "negligence" or "stupidity" or "bad paperwork housekeeping" I'm talking straight up someone on the inside is gettin' paid.
Maybe I watch too much t.v.? But I think anything is possible until you show me what actually happened.
Gretchen at June 17, 2008 9:17 AM
Additionally, I just talked to my auto insurer. They do not have my social security number; nor to they have access to my bank account number. I talked to a manager there, and not just a flunky. It's amazing when you call a business and they're helpful to you, and when they haven't even done anything wrong to you.
Amy Alkon at June 17, 2008 9:18 AM
That's absolutely ridiculous. Can you snuggle up to the police involved in your case to get their help with leaning on BofA? It seems absurd that BofA can stonewall you that way. The police should have an interest -- no doubt the perpetrator in your case is doing the same thing to a lot of other victims. The very nice detective in my case went to the place where my theft occurred and to the places where the thief used my credit card before I could cancel it to see if anyone got the thief on video tape. They wouldn't show me the videos, but they showed them to him.
By the way, in New York state, you can only do something about changing your license number or putting a fraud alert on it AFTER someone steals your identity. Then you get to fill out form FI-17! Woo hoo! The fact that someone else has STOLEN your license and is very LIKELY to steal your identity doesn't mean shit -- they have to rape you further before the NY DMV will do anything. Not a damn thing you can do preventatively. That's just frigging unbelievably stupid. From my quickie research, New York is not alone in this stupidity. At least the state of California is doing one thing right. Too bad BofA apparently isn't.
Gail at June 17, 2008 9:26 AM
"Snuggling up" to the police is exactly what I've had to do to even get them to pick up the piece of paper with my report on it.
I don't trust the police to find this woman. Or the bank investigators. I'm truly motivated, and I have a track record in this department. As for George Gomez (the guy who stole my Rambler -- real name, not the one the LATimes made me use) and Leo Laine, who did a hit and run on my Honda Insight, I had them both prosecuted; I didn't go after them in some violent manner, and wouldn't.
Amy Alkon at June 17, 2008 9:31 AM
Wow this whole ordeal of yours kind of scares me. I've been lingering about my decision to get my money out of BofA for a year or so now, maybe it's time to start.
I'm glad your chronicling it all though. Not that I'm glad that it happened, but that we can see what you have to go through and, in the case of something similar happening, there is information out there (from you and the other posters) on what sorts of actions to take.
Anyone know if the federal or local credit unions are any better?
Ange at June 17, 2008 9:50 AM
I'd go after them, too. I really hope you get them.
By the way, my credit card company refunded every dime of the charges that my thief charged to my card. Granted, they amounted to a few hundred dollars rather than $12,000. However, in my case, the credit card company was not remotely at fault. In your case, BofA was ridiculously lax. Have they refused? Have you considered a lawsuit? At the very least, it will bring attention to your case.
Call me paranoid, but ever since my theft, I check my existing accounts on line just about every day to make sure there's been no monkey business (my credit freeze can't prevent that). Yeah, it's paranoid and it's a pain in the ass, but if anyone ever gets access to my accounts, at least I'll catch them immediately.
Gail at June 17, 2008 9:56 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2008/06/17/bank_of_america.html#comment-1559645">comment from GailCredit card companies actually tend to be very good about spotting fraud and stopping it. My problem with Bank of America -- well, one of them -- is that they're engaging in very false advertising about those "multiple layers of security." Where? Where?
If they instead said, "Keep your money with us, and we'll give it to a woman with only a fake license in your name and your account number, and not do even the minimum to verify whether she's you," well, then caveat emptor.
Amy Alkon at June 17, 2008 10:03 AM
I work for SunTrust Bank, and what Bank of America did here is bad business from the banking side as well as the customer's side. Our internal fraud area would have caught this before the consumer area realized what was happening. SunTrust would have assumed that Amy was money laundering and flagged the accounts. They would have then been investigated and the thief would have only been able to withdraw twice, but probably only once. We would have refunded the money to Amy and all would have been fine.
As for the videotape, I know SunTrust only gives that out to the police or in response to a subpoena. We also only keep the past 30 days. I don't know Bank of America's policy, but they may do something similar.
Filing a complaint with the banking commissioner is an excellent idea. You should also contact the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Maybe the BBB, too. Filing a lawsuit is unlikely to actually accomplish anything. They will attempt to settle. If you want to go to court, it will take years to complete the whole process.
Amy K at June 17, 2008 10:40 AM
Thank you so much, Amy. You've been super-helpful.
The suggestions by you and Brian about contacting the banking officials have been especially comforting. "Comforting" because the only way I'll find some comfort out of this is getting something substantive done, both in punishing the thief and Bank of America. They are clearly cavalier about their customers' data, and should be fined and made to either advertise the reality of banking with them or clean up their act.
Amy Alkon at June 17, 2008 11:17 AM
Get this: I've now called THREE times to ask for the form on which I filled out my driver's license update when I put money into my IRA. I called last week, again this morning, and the woman said she'd mail it to me and fax it to me. I've gotten nothing via fax. This bank is sucking my life by allowing me to be victimized and then doing nothing to clean up after their laxness.
I just called Nereida Claudius again...she is not returning my calls. Do these asshats think I'm going to go away? Accept that they are just going to sit by and deny me this tape as I'm being revictimized? They could have stopped this woman, had her arrested, if they'd had the most minimum security measures in place.
I'm on deadline today. If anybody is feeling civic-minded and wants to toss me phone numbers of the appropriate banking regulators, I would be most grateful.
HINT TO BANK OF AMERICA: The madder I get, the more vocal I get.
Amy Alkon at June 17, 2008 11:31 AM
Amy - "...they're engaging in very false advertising about those "multiple layers of security." Where? Where?"
Well,
frankly, you haven't been able to get anything out of them regarding the fat black woman with missing teeth. With respect to her (and any possible accomplices), it looks like their "multiple layers of security" are doing the trick.
At least SHE can sleep at night knowing the BofA isn't going to let any info get out about her.
slwerner at June 17, 2008 12:47 PM
Heh heh...you're right about that. Multiple layers of security to protect the bank from the customers.
I just tracked down their ad agency and talked to a woman there -- my first experience talking to somebody who actually seems to get it. Let's see if she expresses to them that they'd better make good on this by at least getting me the evidence I need to track this woman down and see she's prosecuted.
Amy Alkon at June 17, 2008 1:17 PM
Not sure if these are helpful, but I snagged them for you over on Consumerist (LOVE THAT SITE!!!).
Bank of America Executive Customer Relations: 704-386-5687
Corporate Headquarters: 704-386-5972 / 704-386-5681
Operator: 800-900-9000 (press 0 twice)
Corporate Headquarters (Bank of America):
Bank of America Corporate Center
100 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, North Carolina 28255
And you can write a letter to CEO Kenneth D. Lewis.
This is his address:
Mr. Kenneth D. Lewis
100 N. Tryon Street.
Mail Code NC-1-007-18-01
Charlotte, NC 28255
Gretchen at June 17, 2008 2:14 PM
Thank you so much! Super-helpful. Nereida Claudius is not returning my calls. Perhaps she's out. I have yet to hear from Betty Riess either (corporate media lady for BofA, called her, too).
Amy Alkon at June 17, 2008 2:28 PM
Anybody got a fax number for Kenneth D. Lewis?
Amy Alkon at June 17, 2008 2:29 PM
Wait - found it here:
http://www.forbes.com/static/pvp2005/LIRPAU6.html
100 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28255
Ph: 704-386-5000
Fax: 704-386-6699
Amy Alkon at June 17, 2008 2:32 PM
Faxing him now!
This blog item.
And Nereida Claudius called me back - says their detectives "are looking into it" with the police.
Bullshit. The police hadn't even touched the case file until I begged them to look at it and tried to sell them on following up my case.
Like I'm going to allow the bank that allowed me to be victimized like this to be the one in charge of chasing the thief.
Amy Alkon at June 17, 2008 3:03 PM
By the way, if anyone knows others who have been victimized by BofA, please suggest they comment here. I wish I could find the guy who posted about the $42K. I just e-mailed the woman mentioned in the ABC piece above, and hope she'll write back and maybe comment here.
Amy Alkon at June 17, 2008 3:39 PM
Because BofA is a national bank complaints have to be made to the Feds. Here's the form:
http://www.occ.treas.gov/ConsumerComplaintform.pdf
Background info is here:
http://www.occ.treas.gov/customer.htm#The%20OCC's%20Complaint%20Process
PS If you're not me, only post one link per comment, or you'll get spam-kicked and have to e-mail me to rescue your comment. I can just leave two because I'm puttering around in the back here.
Amy Alkon at June 17, 2008 5:12 PM
Amy,
Consider whether you would like "us" to call Ms. Claudius on a rotating basis to motivate her to move your case forward. If you agree, suggest a schedule and a script and post her phone #!
DaveG at June 17, 2008 6:55 PM
Amy,
I had a problem with Wachovia, years ago. I assured them it was in their best interest to cooperate. For a period of about a year I withdrew funds down to $5.00 over the draft payments value on the 1st banking day of every calendar month, and explained (loudly enough to be heard by everyone in the lobby) to the teller each time precisely why I was withdrawing an exact and to the penny amount each time.
After the half dozenth passerby customer overheard me, closed their account and stopped banking there they decided to cooperate (and it was such a stupid concern).
I'm on DDS Gov't pension, have been for almost a decade. On the very first banking day of each calendar month the great money machine in the sky goes clickety click and the money hits my account.
They knew this, they know this and it's as predictable as the sun coming up in the east every morning... so WHY do they hold the deposit until 2 pm and bounce checks written at 10 am???
A year later the branch manager called me into her office and we had a very pleasant chat.
They refunded all the fees back to the month they pulled that idiotic stunt.
Oh, and they deposit the funds into my checking account usually within an hour of the doors opening.
BoA?
BTDT... never again.
Gunner Retired
Gunner Retired at June 17, 2008 7:35 PM
Gunner, love the story. Amazing, huh, that it takes stunts.
And thanks, Dave. She called me back, but now get this: She's telling me that their investigators and the police are handling this. I called the police last week, and they hadn't even looked at the report. Hadn't even looked!
And as for a bank that gives out my money to a woman with only a fake driver's license in my name and the wrong expiration date, and with missing teeth...
...and SEVEN times, in fact, gives it out to people with fake ID...
Sorry, but is there a reason in the world why I should trust them with protecting my security in the future?
I mean, wouldn't it be a sign that I'm an utter drooling moron to trust them?
I'm going to give the bank a couple days to tell me they're giving me the tapes and any other evidence from the transaction. I want them from every branch where my account was violated, of the person who violated my account.
If I don't get this, I'm going to start by getting a lawyer to write them a letter -- I know the statute, thanks to my private eye friend, that commands them to give identity theft victims all evidence from fraudulent transactions.
And if that doesn't work, I'll call that nice reporter who did the Nightline piece on me, and/or John Stossel, who I gave a book party for with Reason Magazine, or any number of big TV outlets and print outlets until somebody bites and writes about it.
All I've wanted all along is the ammunition to protect myself against further victimization, and they've blocked me every step of the way. Not only did they have terribly lax business practices, contrary to their advertising, had they done the most minimum due diligence, this woman and/or any others using fraudulent ID in my name would likely be in custody, and the ID would be shredded or in an evidence file. Instead, every day, there's some new horror I'm dealing with. I only didn't pick my mail up today because I was late, but I'll be worrying about that tonight.
Furthermore, I have to be careful that this doesn't affect my general emotional demeanor. It's starting to. I feel very insecure and worried about security right now -- personal, bodily, home, you name it. And it's probably because I feel so frustrated and victimized because they haven't given this ammunition to protect myself.
Again, I'm victimized because they didn't stop any of these transactions. Had they stopped the woman the first time, there would be no Target credit applications, none of the rest.
Bank of America executives, I hope you sleep poorly tonight. Like me.
Amy Alkon at June 17, 2008 7:48 PM
I wish I had something more productive/comforting to say, Amy. But since I don't, and I know you have bills to pay and are understandably leery of using a check, would Kaiser, etc. be ok w/a money order from the post office or somesuch until things get back to normal?
Kim at June 18, 2008 1:00 AM
Thanks so much, Kim...just appreciate the sentiment. I'm going to Fedex them something or other -- two months advance payment to make up for the BofA immediate account closure.
Amy Alkon at June 18, 2008 1:09 AM
Amy,
I'd offer you contact Kaiser and discuss this with them maturely and... etc. Unfortunately I know better (re Kaiser Permanente).
If you'd like some history on KP Healthcare hit me private when you get a chance.
Angel's got medicare A&B and TriCare. Goooooooood medical coverage.
G_R
Amy,Gunner Retired at June 18, 2008 5:56 AM
I recommend contacting the local news station. Ours, a FOX-2 news station, has a "Wall of Shame" for local businesses that manage to suck the big one in some shape or form.
I hired a photographer to take pictures at my wedding, and paid him at the wedding. He disappeared and closed the shop that we had met at. Since I was on deployment, my mom and wife called FOX-2, and they got some gal on the case. She tracked down all the stores he had ran, went to his mothers house, and put his name and business in the news and told everyone to cancel any association with him.
He lost so much business he actually called me up (in Guam!) three weeks later, apologized, and gave me the digital proofs of our photos, and apologized on FOX-2 news, who told me to call if anything funny happened with him again.
A local station could run down the business for the local BoA. Maybe only takes a chunk of business, but it gets the message across if suddenly a batch of customers pull their money from the bank.
Ryan at June 18, 2008 7:50 PM
Thanks, Gunner and Ryan. And actually, if they don't come through with tape from these instances very soon, I'm going to national media. I think this would be of interest to a lot of people.
Amy Alkon at June 19, 2008 10:53 AM
Gunner:
They knew this, they know this and it's as predictable as the sun coming up in the east every morning... so WHY do they hold the deposit until 2 pm and bounce checks written at 10 am???
I would not be surprised if that was intentional and not just a mistake they refused to correct. Its a fact that banks make A LOT of money from NSF (NonSufficient Funds) charges. My own bank has raised their NSF fees from $20 to $32.50 in just the last 5-7 years. While I never saw any hard evidence an acquaintance I knew a few years ago told me about how banks would run debits through the system before the credits just so they could collect the big juicy NSF fees.
About the video you are trying to get Amy. Most banks only keep survailence video for a limited time (like 30 or 45 days). Make sure you DO NOT let them string you along until they can safely say, "I'm sorry but we've deleted the video from that date range." And if they do let that happen make sure you mention it if you get to speak to any media about it. Provide a good time line so people can plainly see they had the time to provide you the video but didn't to cover their own butts.
And public embarrassment is usually a good tool. If they don't cooperate then by all means go to any online, paper, tv, or whatever news source you can find and get the word out a bank with lax security that allowed such a thing to happen. Shareholders don't like to see their companies receive bad press...
One more thing. Once you've made enough noise and BoA breaks down and tries to settle make sure they don't tie any strings to the settlement (like a nondisclosure clause to prevent you from talking about lest you forfit your settlement).
Danny at June 20, 2008 1:33 PM
Nereida Claudius, VP; Customer Advocate, Office of the Chairman, who has that same "soothe the mental patient voice". . .HAHAHAHAHAHA. Well, this is what she's paid for. Having a "soothe the mental patient voice" takes many economics degrees and "customer service" training.
I spoke to several Nereidas some months back when thousand of bucks from my account went to pay for all manner of electronic gear being shipped to New Orleans or something like that. Same thing the time some chicana chickie in Inglewood charged up about a grand’s worth of cosmetics on my account. I listened to the same "customer service" crap about how they’ll cooperate with the cops IF I pursue it. Huh? I could not believe my ears. Filed the stupid police reports, realized as you did that it’s all a joke. BofA covered the money loss. That’s all they can do, it seems. I doubt anyone is ever caught or prosecuted for this stuff. It’s a great racket for crooks. Computers have greatly increased the efficiency of crime.
I’m sorry this happened to you, but I am also “glad” that it happened to YOU and not someone more passive (like me), as I know you will see the thing through and give BofA what’s coming to it.
Rip at June 23, 2008 9:55 AM
I'm so sorry to hear of your unfortunate ordeal! It really sucks that the banks get away with what they do. I found a few links that may be of some help to you, but I'll send each one via a separate post so as not to be "spam-kicked." The first one is to the Federal Reserve Consumer Help. Their link is: http://www.federalreserveconsumerhelp.gov/?District=13
I hope they can provide some reliable (and easy-to-locate) information to help in having your identity theft issue resolved with B of A.
Lisa Nason at June 25, 2008 6:23 AM
Here's another link on how to file a complaint against a bank: http://www.federalreserve.gov/Pubs/Complaints/laws.htm
Lisa Nason at June 25, 2008 6:25 AM
Here's a link that I found for banking in the state of NY: http://www.banking.state.ny.us/ccs.htm
I just have one more link to send to you...
Lisa Nason at June 25, 2008 6:27 AM
Now, here's the final one... this lists a plethora of news and complaints regarding B of A: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/finance/bofa.html
(Apparently, you're far from being the only one with issues involving B of A!)
As far as their security practices go, they are only looking out for themselves. Should anyone end up on the Chex list-regardless of who's fault it is-B of A ends up shunning that individual for life. Now, if only they were that serious about their customers security...
Good luck! (Personally, I'm beginning to think that the only 'safe' savings account is one's mattress!)
Lisa Nason at June 25, 2008 6:34 AM
Thanks so much. Going to look at the link now.
Amy Alkon at June 25, 2008 8:01 AM
That's actually a site that looks like a consumer affairs site, but is really a site for lawyers to get cases. I submitted most of the above blog item and Nereida "Put People Off" Claudius' name.
Amy Alkon at June 25, 2008 8:09 AM
I just came across this blog and you have all my sympathy. I had a very similar incident with BOA and they were horrific to deal with. If the $$ can be proven to be stolen, they will write off the debt. Financially that's good for you......but you are no longer considered the victim, they are. Even though it's YOUR social security number in jeopardy, YOU feel victimized and traumatized, YOU have to take many, many, many hours out of YOUR life to settle this. I fought tooth and nail to get hold of tapes, credit applications etc. at the end of the day nobody gave a damn but me. The police literally refused to pick up a tape that I couldn't get myself b/c that would have made the evidence inadmissable in court. My best advice is fight the good fight, but do it knowing that you will probably never get full justice. It's a really time consuming, uphill battle to fight with a bank, they are awesome at FAKING red tape more than most other industries and it becomes increasingly frustrating. Best of luck if you go for it, but please don't let it consume you - I did and it wasn't worth it. It got me nowhere and it had a really negative impact on my life. I have alot of empathy for where you are right now I was exactly in that same place three years ago and it stills eats at me....if you want to ask me any questions or need some advice feel free to email me.
RS at June 25, 2008 9:13 PM
A Bank of America employee DID steal my CDL, SSN, DOB, address, PASSWORD, etc. over a year ago and it's been sold, or she's still using it. Bank of America didn't help much. Their fraud unit investigated it and they "liked her" for it, but they can't prove she did it.
Bank of America knows they have an ID theft ring, but all banks do. They work with other banks. But the chickee who stole my info probably went down the road to the next bank, and is still trying to use my info a year later.
But B of A says I'm not a victim because they refunded my money. That's their MO. They don't want it in the news. They sweep it under the rug and eat the cost so that you're not the "victim."
Anyone who wants to share their B of A experience: please contact me at k i m b e r l e y c m a i l - i d AT yahoo DOT com
(Remove the spaces.....you know what to do.)
Kimberley at June 26, 2008 1:27 PM
I'm a criminal investigator. Your experience with Bank of America jives with my recent run-in with their fraud department. I was investigating someone who'd used a card without authorization from the cardholder. I called Bank of America and got the vivid impression they could not care less. Meanwhile, the victims are devestated....
Doyle at June 29, 2008 11:11 AM
Thanks so much for your comment. BofA is just terrible. On Friday, however, I found a lawyer who's pretty much THE expert on this. I bought her book for $39.99 and found out what I have to do to get the tape and all the rest from BofA under the Fair Credit...blah blah blah Act (sorry, deadline, so I'm rushing). Basically, they have to give you the info, but you have to know how to ask. Send affadavit, copy of driver's license, etc...that's what I remember from my notes, but her book and supporting CD apparently has all the materials you need. She sent me a document I downloaded - 96 pages - which has the letters where I just fill in the names, etc. Book and CD are coming Wednesday.
Her site: MariFrank.com
Left Kimberly a message about this - we talked on Friday...just horrible, what she's been through...and a situation very similar to mine.
BofA must be stopped and must be made to pay. As the attorney who sent me to Mari said, a bank has "a fiduciary duty" to you -- "handling your money and your I.D."
Amy Alkon at June 29, 2008 11:17 AM
Fiduciary duty:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiduciary_duty
Amy Alkon at June 29, 2008 11:18 AM
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