First Premier Bank Card WANTS A "CHECK BY PHONE"? BEWARE!! consumer rip-off fraud Sioux Falls South Dakota *UPDATE

The battle began back in March, when I sent a $75 to First Premier Bank on my husband's account. The check cleared March 14th, they swear they never got it. Okay, fine. I have my bank FAX a copy of the check, front and back, not once, but twice. Payment never posted. Then the late charges and overlimit fees began. We closed all three accounts we had with them, paid off one card completely, then another. Then the REAL fun began.

On August 25th, I spoke with a seemingly pleasant collector named John, who apologized for all the problems and we made arrangements at that time to settle the account. I authorized a check by phone to be taken out no sooner than September 19th, in the amount of $140.50. Well, September 10th, they took it upon themselves to take not only the $140.50, but another $162.00. We had checks out, some cleared, some did not. But we incurred $21.00 each time.

Hey, wait, it gets better! On September 12th, and almost daily thereafter, they made an attempt to debit $237.54 from our account, which of course, caused MORE overdraft fees. This continued on and finally, Washington Mutual Bank put a freeze on autowithdrawals from our account. Think THAT stopped it? Nah. On October 1, 2002, they "created" a paper check in the same amount in an attempt to cash it. Of course, by this time, because of the money they took before it was authorized, money they were not authorized to take, and their incessant attempts to get another $237.54, we are by this time, $1083.00 in overdraft. Now, this is on a credit card with a $400.00 credit line.

Pretty bad, huh? I can top that. In the last two weeks, we are getting almost daily letters and threatening calls from them because, according to them, we now owe (1) Overlimit fees; (b) Late fees and get this..$25.00 returned check fee per each UNAUTHORIZED debit returned. We documented an attempt at 23 phone calls in one day. We are changing our number next week.

I have filed a complaint with the South Dakota Attorney General, who referred our complaint to the Division of Banking. I have also filed a written report with the California Attorney General, as First Premier is obviously not in compliance with California Civil Codes regarding credit card companies and transactions.

Sherri
Richmond, California