Regions Bank Regions Stealing Money Orlando, Florida

YOU need to manage YOUR accounts better and don't attempt to spend more than YOU have available. 

Do you notice the key word in that statement just made?  Well if you haven't let me give you a hint..YOU.

It really is simple.  The first thing is to get an register to write down ALL of your transactions as you make them.   If you don't have a register you can find them on line to download for free, or even if you go into the bank they will be more than willing to give you one..all you have to do is ask.  Even just a simple piece of paper would do if all else fails.

On-Line/Phone/ATM statements were never meant to be the way to manage your accounts because they only know what they have received.  By your one example you had written a check.  The bank won't know you have written the check until they receive it, which could be anywhere from 1 to 7 days later.  So if you go using your Debit Card or write other checks because you "thought" you had the cash, when the check is deposited...unless you keep track of your transactions you may not have enough money to cover it.  If you write EVERY transaction you make it is 100% impossible to forget what you have spent.

As for Overdraft Protection.  There are several types.  The basic is where your debit card is used and does not have enough protection.  If you have the standard protection, if you attempt to use your debit card they will allow the debit to go through..and charge you an OD fee(usually around $30-$35 each it).  For Checks/ACH transactions they still have the option to accept or return the check unpaid.

The next level of protection is when your account is tied to another "backup" source.  This could be something like a Savings Account, Credit Card, or some other line of credit.  In this case anytime you don't have enough money in your account the bank will transfer(for a much smaller fee usually $5-$10 for everything that comes in on a single day) enough money from this alternate source to cover the deficit.  They will continue to do this until your backup funds are depleted or reached their limit.

If you have made a purchase or write a check you must treat that money as spent.  Regardless of how long you think it would be before it is actually withdrawn.  If you try to play this "game" of floating funds..you are going to eventually loose. 

You also need to be aware of the Funds Availability Policy for deposits.   This is where you can make use of On-Line banking as it will show you when your deposits are actually available(not just pending).  As depending on the source of the deposit the funds may not be available right away..in some cases it could be 1-2 weeks(although that is a very small percentage of cases).

So while you will probably ignore everything said here and come up with 1000 excuses why you should not have to keep a register.  If you really want a solution then in the end using a register and not spending more than you have available is what is really going to make you smart and avoid these fees.  Oh and this goes for ANY bank.

Anyways there is your Checking 101 lesson..now back to your regularly scheduled programming of being oblivious to your responsibilities.