M&T Bank - Manufacturers And Traders Trust Company Stole my money right before thanksgiving dinner Baltimore Maryland *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account!

The day before Thanksgiving my debit card would not work and we could not purchase our turkey nor the fixings.

I have long suspected my bank of taking liberties with my money (stealing) or charging me extra. Since I am active duty military living overseas I often find there are many extra charges for having a stateside bank. There is a $5.oo per ATM action and then some foreign conversion charge and some other charge I have yet to have explained to me. These charges seem to add up and often tip the scale into the red zone. Let me add that I have 7 children so I often live pay check to pay check. Here is the deal:

On 18 Nov I had $218.23 in my account when I purchased gas for $90.05 leaving me with $128.18. I made another small purchase of $38.13 leaving me with $90.05 left in my account and enough to buy that large turkey for my large family.

When my wife went to the commissary my debit card was refused. Here is what the bank said about it:

There was a hold of an extra $90.05 on my account. I was told the gas station swiped the card two times and I had to wait for it to clear. Then I could expect to see the money in my account the next day.

Well the next day I went to my account and to my horror I found out that I had been charged $37.00 two times ($74.oo) for insufficient funds and instead of my $90.05 I now only had $16.05. There is no way that was possible because even if there was a legitimate second $90.05 charge that would have left me at exactly 0.00. Now I know they are thieves!

M&T refuses to accept responsibility or to refund me the charges. In the past I had several NSF charges that were suspicious. The NSF charges posted after my direct deposit had been deposited. The bank said that this is because of the time difference and even thought the money was posted to my account since the transaction occurred in my time zone they had to go with that time. So I took it as a lesson learned and started watching my account closer....and now this happens which confirms my suspicion that I have been getting RIPPED OFF

So even though the money WAS in the account they charged me NSF charges. I want to know how I can fight this and if the is some federal oversight that can look into this legalized thievery? I also challenge the Management of M&T Bank to come forward and explain these actions

Baliska
APO AE, New York
U.S.A.

EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!

HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO:

Go to your bank within 60 days of the charge, or as soon as you know about the charge, don't delay, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish to file a dispute, and demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E.

According to the majority of victims interviewed by Rip-off Report, those who immediately called their banks to dispute the charges did not get very far. Many victims got the following responses from their banks: we could not do anything for you or you waited too long; it has been more than 60 days.

If the bank is says that you have waited too long, explain to them how you called their 800 number as soon as the charges were found, and were told by the bank that nothing could be done. Remind the bank that they failed to assist you properly at the 800 #, and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it's their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal with it, take the loss and reverse the charges.

Tell them the truth; this was unauthorized and your account was NOT to be charged! Keep emphasizing how you never authorized anything! Direct them to the hundreds of victims reports that were filed on Rip-off Report.com. And if you're at the bank, walk them over to their computer and make them go to this site! If you are on the phone with them, tell them you will wait while they access this site! Either way, be persistent!

DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!

Let them know nicely, that you were advised to Report them (the Bank) and this situation to the Banking Commission in your state. Since each state has a different name for the agency/controller over banks, find that name before you call or get to the bank so you can throw it in their face. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the further you will get.

And just continue to demand the Federal Regulation E form! The bank CAN, MUST and WILL reverse the charge! But, you must be persistent; ask to speak to the supervisor or the area manager for all the branches in the state.

Let the bank personnel know you are meeting with the media later in the day, that you would much rather they do the right thing (as most other banks have) by looking at the complaints and immediately reversing the charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth.

If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form.

CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD

If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here.

Remember Don't let them get away with it! Make sure they make the Rip-off Report .. The more Reports filed on a Company or individual, the more likely it is that the authorities, media and attorneys will want to take action.