Wachovia Bank manager Brian Gross Fraudulently told me I would receive $25 in sign up bonuses, got me to create business accounts, never gave the bonuses Hightstown, New Jersey

Wachovia manager Brian Gross informed me May 2009 that I would get $25 bonus for each checking account I created at Wachovia.  Brian then encouraged me to create the business bank accounts, claiming I would get the sign up bonuses.

I referred my two businesses, each having multiple DBA's and accounts under them.  In the least, I would qualify for $50 (2 x $25).  In the most perhaps more.

Months went by and no bonus came, when I inquired Brian said that it would be a gift card and not a check. 

More time went by, and again when I inquired where the bonuses were, Brian informed me that it would be sent once I had a set amount of money in the accounts.  So I put money in the accounts.

Now one year later, 2010, I am informed that the bonuses are for personal accounts only.

Customer Support says there are things the manager can do to get me the gift cards that were once promised, that the manager has ways he can get them.

When addressing these issues to the manager today, he did not apologize, nor did he acknowledge the truth of what he had said to me, nor was he willing to contact President's office at Wachovia to have them send me the bonuses he once promised.  Instead he was rather agitated, and ended the phone call so he could take care of "more important issues with other customers".

Sadly, I have had the same experience with Bank Of America manager Joy Moorer nearly 1 year ago.

Watch out for these banks when they say there is a sign up bonus.  So far, 2 for 2 in not coming through on their legal promises.

I consider what has happened to be consumer fraud, and false advertisement, done by the bank managers to boost their own quota of new accounts created.

Just be cautious, and get something in writing when they offer you sign up bonuses from any bank!