WACHOVIA BANK Wells Fargo Thieves , Internet

Although I did not deposit cash into a machine..I would feel safer flushing it down a toilet because at least the rats in the sewer would not keep the money.

I was using a Wells Fargo ATM to make a cash withdrawal for part of my rent. It was after hours. I used the WF machine because it was part of Wachovia and I had a Wachovia debit card, so no ATM fee. A wachovia logo comes up on the screen as well..so you know these banks are together.

Anyhow, the I entered amount $300.00, and the machine display said "sorry, we can not conduct the transaction at this time", and spit the card back out..no receipt. So I tried the machine next to it...same result. I figured the machines were out of cash and used another banks ATM and payed the fee.

Come to find out the next day when I check my online statement, that they charged my account 300 dollars. When I called i was basically accused of bank robbery, they did not believe me. They told me i have to go to WF since it is their machine. So the next day I go to WF and they tell me they have nothing to do with Wachovia but in the meantime, the machine has a Wachovia logo on it, and it does not charge a "non wachovia ATM" fee.

So, I call Wachovia back and this time got a much nicer CSR who informed me they are sorry and will put the $300 back on a provisional basis, but they must investigate. I asked if they could look at the camera footage since they always have one at an ATM and was told they don't do that. A shame, because they would have seen no cash come out and it could have been over quickly, and no need to accuse me of attempted bank robbery.

A week later, Friday night, I notice they took the 300 dollars back, so now my account is wiped out. I call Wachovia AGAIN, and got a bad CSR, who AGAIN accused me of bank robbery, and told me to call back Monday, there is nothing they can do.

So I call back Monday and this time got a nice CSR, and she apologized and put the 300 back on provision. I think it took a bit over 30 days, but eventually they must have figured out a way to count, and determine they were 300 dollars over on the ATM machine, and lifted the provision.

So for me, it worked out in the end, but due to NO fault of my own, and 100% fault of a bad ATM, a lack of respect for a LONG term customer (I was with Wachovia since they were first union, then Wachovia, then WF/Wachovia), and the horrible "Russian roulette" of good and bad CSR's, and the funds coming and going at will (also causing a Russian roulette with my account usage), I closed my account with that bank.

I figure as a long term customer, what have I earned from that bank? If a mistake or defective machine whether my fault or not would have cause any of THEIR money to be held unjustly by ME, their unjust policies would fee me into a homeless shelter..but they make a mistake that cost me time, money and aggravation for over a MONTH...and what did they pay in "fees" for it? Nothing. I figure them losing a long time customer was the best I could do for recourse, and sharing my experience with others. This was far from my worst experience with Wachovia, but it was the last straw for me. Glad to see they are fading away.

You may want to file a federal dispute form E, it will force them to investigate further, and perhaps a shot at recovering what they stole from you. Ask the bank for this form, they MUST comply by law. They may give you some crap that too much time has passed, (I imagine it has been over 90 days), but tell them that this delay is THEIR fault for not finding the money in time, and stalling to allow the 90 days to pass. Insist that the delay is THEIR fault and they MUST investigate and find your money.