First Merit Bank First Merit Bank Rip Off on Inactive Account Fees akron, Ohio

First Merit Bank is at it again!!

They now have a new scam; I had an account with them for 16 years.  My personal issue is this: I had moved out of state, they had my new address, I had like 40 bucks in this account.  I intended on leaving this account open in case I ever traveled back to Ohio for a visit, as I had moved out of state.

I also had on-line banking with them for bill pay usage.  I had a debit card through them that was set to expire in June of 2012, however, I did not realize this.  I tried to use it at a retailer and was humiliated to hear: "you card has been refused".  What??  I didn't know why - the retailer finally advised that the card had "expired".  I have always been mailed a new card PRIOR to the expiration of the old card, so I expected a new one in the mail, and didn't think much else about it.  

A new one never came.  I did, however, get a new statement a month or 2 later telling me that I would now be charged $35.00 PER MONTH for inactive account!! They caused this inactivity by intentionally (my opinion) NOT mailing me a new card KNOWING the old one was set to expire.

My mom had an account with them for almost 30 years, and moved out of state, and she also was told that she would now receive this inactive account fee as well.  My husband whom had an account with them for OVER 30 years was told he would be charged a fee for not having changed his mailing address with them.  It is unreal this banking institution has free reign with our money.  I expect that they will be receiving a class action lawsuit from all the people whom have been ripped off by this bank.  Very saddened and discouraged that they are "allowed" to get by with this.