US Bank Overdraft Abusive, deception. Des Peres Missouri

I think that is fairly clear that I was responding to your question. Who else in this thread recently commented on whether or not the people who give advice have overdrafted?

I think that is fairly clear that I was responding to your question. Who else in this thread recently commented on whether or not the people who give advice have overdrafted?

I think that is fairly clear that I was responding to your question. Who else in this thread recently commented on whether or not the people who give advice have overdrafted?

If you were directing the comment at me then you should have referred to me (i.e. quoting me, etc.). There's no way for me to know otherwise. I'm not a mind-reader and, by the way, neither are you even if you seem to think you are (knowing what I intend by what I say even after I correct you).

Chris, you shouldn't need me to explain this one to you. You made this comment:

"If you've never overdrafted, you couldn't and wouldn't know this. That goes for the rest of the US Bank defenders. If you don't overdraft then you can't have an opinion about how US Bank behaves if you ever do."

I was responding to your comment.

"I've overdrafted twice when I was 19 years old. At the time I decided I couldn't afford the overdraft fees so I learned how to avoid them."

Please explain to me how this is advice.

"The bank takes astounding advantage of someone............"

-This person chooses NOT to be taken advantage of by NOT overdrafting!!


"....has no choice but to overdraft."

-There is a choice here... You can look in your register and say to yourself...
"Lets see... I have $1.50 in my account, if I buy this candy bar and Red Bull on my debit card, that is going to make me overdraft. Am I willing to pay the fees for that? or can this wait?"

If you never spend more than what you have, NOBODY can MAKE you overdraft no matter how much those transactions are rearranged, how long they are held for posting, or any other of the lame excuses which are commonplace here on RoR.

OP said, "They want you to overdraw"

-You bet they do!!
at $35-$40 a pop, it sure is lucrative!! Plus, the bank can offer free checking, free safe deposit rental, free checks for life, $50 gift cards for opening accounts, etc. thus attracting more customers to bank with them.

GOD BLESS US BANK!!

"The bank takes astounding advantage of someone............"

-This person chooses NOT to be taken advantage of by NOT overdrafting!!


"....has no choice but to overdraft."

-There is a choice here... You can look in your register and say to yourself...
"Lets see... I have $1.50 in my account, if I buy this candy bar and Red Bull on my debit card, that is going to make me overdraft. Am I willing to pay the fees for that? or can this wait?"

If you never spend more than what you have, NOBODY can MAKE you overdraft no matter how much those transactions are rearranged, how long they are held for posting, or any other of the lame excuses which are commonplace here on RoR.

OP said, "They want you to overdraw"

-You bet they do!!
at $35-$40 a pop, it sure is lucrative!! Plus, the bank can offer free checking, free safe deposit rental, free checks for life, $50 gift cards for opening accounts, etc. thus attracting more customers to bank with them.

GOD BLESS US BANK!!

"The bank takes astounding advantage of someone............"

-This person chooses NOT to be taken advantage of by NOT overdrafting!!


"....has no choice but to overdraft."

-There is a choice here... You can look in your register and say to yourself...
"Lets see... I have $1.50 in my account, if I buy this candy bar and Red Bull on my debit card, that is going to make me overdraft. Am I willing to pay the fees for that? or can this wait?"

If you never spend more than what you have, NOBODY can MAKE you overdraft no matter how much those transactions are rearranged, how long they are held for posting, or any other of the lame excuses which are commonplace here on RoR.

OP said, "They want you to overdraw"

-You bet they do!!
at $35-$40 a pop, it sure is lucrative!! Plus, the bank can offer free checking, free safe deposit rental, free checks for life, $50 gift cards for opening accounts, etc. thus attracting more customers to bank with them.

GOD BLESS US BANK!!

"The bank takes astounding advantage of someone............"

-This person chooses NOT to be taken advantage of by NOT overdrafting!!


"....has no choice but to overdraft."

-There is a choice here... You can look in your register and say to yourself...
"Lets see... I have $1.50 in my account, if I buy this candy bar and Red Bull on my debit card, that is going to make me overdraft. Am I willing to pay the fees for that? or can this wait?"

If you never spend more than what you have, NOBODY can MAKE you overdraft no matter how much those transactions are rearranged, how long they are held for posting, or any other of the lame excuses which are commonplace here on RoR.

OP said, "They want you to overdraw"

-You bet they do!!
at $35-$40 a pop, it sure is lucrative!! Plus, the bank can offer free checking, free safe deposit rental, free checks for life, $50 gift cards for opening accounts, etc. thus attracting more customers to bank with them.

GOD BLESS US BANK!!

The reality is that using an account register and reconciling that register with a monthly account statement from the bank will prevent any account holder from causing any NSF/OD fees.

The majority (if not all) of the reports I've read about NSF/OD fees have common behaviors of the account holders:

using atm cards for everyday purchases.
using more than ONE card attached to the account (husband and wife)
using atm cards for online purchases.
using atm cards for 'auto-bill pay' (autodebits)
relying upon telephone or online account balances to determine what money is available for that shopping trip to Walmart.
*NOT using an account register.
*not reconciling an account register with the scheduled monthly account statement generated by the bank.

Ways to avoid these NSF/OD fees:

1. Use an account register and reconcile the account register with a monthly written statement generated by the bank. If the bank is not mailing statements, contact customer service to have monthly statements MAILED to you.

1a. Be aware of ATM fees, such as the 'non-bank ATM fee' that most banks charge when you use an ATM that is not owned by your bank to make a withdrawal and post that fee in your account register immediately.

1b. Also be aware of any monthly 'account service fee' charged by your bank and post that to your register on the appropriate date.

2. Do NOT GIVE bank account information (or ATM card info) to any merchant, service provider, utility, online service to pay for services and goods. Use a REAL credit card for this purpose (either secured cc or unsecured cc.) Do not setup any automatic deposit to an account that is attached to said cc-NO auto payments to CC company-mail a check each month. If the entity demanding payment makes a mistake, you're gonna have a host of problems and risk OD/NSF fees.

3. Do NOT use an ATM card for everyday expenses-USE CASH. Establish a monthly budget and withdrawal a weekly 'allowance' for every day expenses such as 'milk and bread' from the corner store, Burger King, etc. This will reduce the amount of transactions on the bank account which in turn makes RECONCILING the account and detecting ERRORS easier to accomplish. Again, if the entity demanding payment makes a mistake, you're gonna risk NSF/OD fees.

4. Do not shop with the ATM card-use a real credit card. A real credit card offers protections that you don't have with an ATM card. If the merchant/service makes a mistake, you can dispute it with the CC company WITHOUT getting any OD/NSF. Not true if you use an ATM card-if the merchant makes a mistake, your money is gone until you can convince your bank to give it back, as well as OD/NSF fees.

5. ONLY ONE ATM CARD to one account. Do NOT have 2 or more atm cards for one bank account. Having 'his and hers' ATM cards attached to the same account is the same as in the old days when some folks would have 2 checkbooks for writing checks. It was an invitation to disaster then, and it is today.

6. Verify that deposits to the account have actually cleared. Deposits can take anywhere between 1 and 5 BUSINESS days to clear depending on the type and/or source of the deposit.

Follow ALL of these suggestions and you will NEVER pay an OD/NSF fee again unless it is a LEGITIMATE bank error, and then the bank will gladly and quickly rectify the situation and credit any fees generated as well as contact payees and cover any fees the payees assess to you.

This is a tried and true method to avoid these fees. It works EVERY TIME it's tried.

I've overdrafted twice when I was 19 years old. At the time I decided I couldn't afford the overdraft fees so I learned how to avoid them.

"Tell me why...
I have never been charged any overdraft fees from my bank...
I am not rich... I use my debit card all the time... my bank reorders transactions...
Come to think of it, I still wouldn't be charged a fee if my account were to drop to 10 cents!!!"

I don't have any idea why you've never had an overdraft but that's beside the point. The bank takes astounding advantage of someone who either makes a simple human error or has no choice but to overdraft. If you've never overdrafted, you couldn't and wouldn't know this. That goes for the rest of the US Bank defenders. If you don't overdraft then you can't have an opinion about how US Bank behaves if you ever do.

I have never been charged any overdraft fees from my bank...
I am not rich... I use my debit card all the time... my bank reorders transactions...
Come to think of it, I still wouldn't be charged a fee if my account were to drop to 10 cents!!!
You want in on the secret?

I use a transaction register and write down every single transaction that I conduct!!

Just in case hell happens to freeze over, and I do overdraft my account,
I have FREE overdraft protection linked to my savings account!!
I will never be charged a $35 idiot fee per transaction. Never.

I've only resorted to that in defense of someone else that's being belittled. Unlike I am the law, I've never been the aggressor. That's not a double standard at all.

No, it doesn't. I have accounts at BofA, US Bank and a credit union and don't overdraft my accounts at any of these banks. It's not as if I'm rich. I've regularly brought account balances to less than $1.50. How is it that the banks haven't forced me into overdrafting my account?

The fact that you haven't overdrafted at any of your banks is irrelevant to my point. The point that I was trying to make was that I've only ever overdrafted at US Bank and no others. That's what strikes me as odd. You can't even say that I just suddenly became lazy and irresponsible because I left US Bank and went to another one and have had no problems since. It must just be coincidence though.

By the way, I've also had accounts at what used to be Washington Mutual, Wells Fargo, Wachovia and most of the other banks that people say 'rape' account holders. I haven't overdrafted at those banks either. Wouldn't one of them have forced me into overdrafting if you and the other complainers were right?

No. I've had accounts at those banks also (except Wells Fargo), as well as several others and I didn't overdraft with them either. I only did so with US Bank.

I actually find this statement odd. Your ledger should be able to tell you why you overdrafted. If I saw your statement I bet I could tell how it happened.

If several bank managers (I brought the statements to multiple branches) couldn't figure out how I overdrafted, I find it highly unlikely that you could.

"The reason I used the offhanded remark about irresponsible morons" was that it's a sarcastic jab at 'I am the law', given that he/she regularly insults peoples' intelligence and grammar that are simply voicing their distaste, and I feel that's out of line."

And yet you've resorted to that behavior yourself. Double standard?


"I don't have any bank statements to show you but I've only ever had a problem with US Bank. I've even had an account with BOA and never had any problems, and you know how many people complain about that bank. Doesn't this strike you as odd?"

No, it doesn't. I have accounts at BofA, US Bank and a credit union and don't overdraft my accounts at any of these banks. It's not as if I'm rich. I've regularly brought account balances to less than $1.50. How is it that the banks haven't forced me into overdrafting my account?

By the way, I've also had accounts at what used to be Washington Mutual, Wells Fargo, Wachovia and most of the other banks that people say "rape" account holders. I haven't overdrafted at those banks either. Wouldn't one of them have forced me into overdrafting if you and the other complainers were right?


"Isn't it also strange that in several cases the bank itself couldn't show me why my account was overdrafted even when looking at my statement? I'm not going to rant about the bank being criminals or the employees should be put in prison, etc., like some of the other posts on here. However, it does seem strange to me that I don't seem to have the same issues with other banks,"

I actually find this statement odd. Your ledger should be able to tell you why you overdrafted. If I saw your statement I bet I could tell how it happened.


"and I've belonged to 5 others."

And I've belonged to more than that and haven't had a problem with any of them. Big deal.

The reason I used the offhanded remark about irresponsible morons was that it's a sarcastic jab at "I am the law", given that he/she regularly insults peoples' intelligence and grammar that are simply voicing their distaste, and I feel that's out of line. I never suggested you said it or believed it. I don't have any bank statements to show you but I've only ever had a problem with US Bank. I've even had an account with BOA and never had any problems, and you know how many people complain about that bank. Doesn't this strike you as odd? Isn't it also strange that in several cases the bank itself couldn't show me why my account was overdrafted even when looking at my statement? I'm not going to rant about the bank being criminals or the employees should be put in prison, etc., like some of the other posts on here. However, it does seem strange to me that I don't seem to have the same issues with other banks, and I've belonged to 5 others.

"IF you don't work for the bank, and that's a big if, 'I am the law', where are you finding time to comment multiple times on every post? Same with you, 'Edgeman'."

Are you suggesting that I work for US Bank? Interesting. A couple of weeks ago we had a guy suggesting that I was "in cahoots" with Bank of America. Now this.

For the record, I have never worked for US Bank or any other bank, have no plans to work for a bank and doubt that I'd be hired if I applied. Some people choose to believe in this false dichotomy for some reason though I find this behavior to be quite irrational.

"I've never had a problem with overdraft charges no matter how little money I was making and no matter how young I was, until I had an account (past tense of course) with US Bank. Now that I left them, I have no problems at all. Hmm, I wonder why that is"

Care to send me your statements? I'd be happy to tell you how the fees were charged. Given your statements about online banking, I do wonder if you thought that was for learning your account balance.

"It must be, because US Bank is infallible and the 300+ people that posted complaints on here are just irresponsible morons, right? Right?"

I wouldn't call all 300+ people irresponsible morons. In fact, I have never called a single person on this site a moron and I don't know why you would attempt to set up a strawman argument. Having said that, according to a recent FDIC study, the vast majority of americans do not pay overdraft fees and most of the overdraft fees that we read about on this site are generated by the account holder.

That doesn't mean that they are "irresponsible morons" (your words). Some people may have made an error, some people may have a spouse that neglected to mention their debit transactions and some people may have had a fraudulent transaction against their account (all too common in this age of identity theft).

"IF you don't work for the bank, and that's a big if, 'I am the law', where are you finding time to comment multiple times on every post? Same with you, 'Edgeman'."

Are you suggesting that I work for US Bank? Interesting. A couple of weeks ago we had a guy suggesting that I was "in cahoots" with Bank of America. Now this.

For the record, I have never worked for US Bank or any other bank, have no plans to work for a bank and doubt that I'd be hired if I applied. Some people choose to believe in this false dichotomy for some reason though I find this behavior to be quite irrational.

"I've never had a problem with overdraft charges no matter how little money I was making and no matter how young I was, until I had an account (past tense of course) with US Bank. Now that I left them, I have no problems at all. Hmm, I wonder why that is"

Care to send me your statements? I'd be happy to tell you how the fees were charged. Given your statements about online banking, I do wonder if you thought that was for learning your account balance.

"It must be, because US Bank is infallible and the 300+ people that posted complaints on here are just irresponsible morons, right? Right?"

I wouldn't call all 300+ people irresponsible morons. In fact, I have never called a single person on this site a moron and I don't know why you would attempt to set up a strawman argument. Having said that, according to a recent FDIC study, the vast majority of americans do not pay overdraft fees and most of the overdraft fees that we read about on this site are generated by the account holder.

That doesn't mean that they are "irresponsible morons" (your words). Some people may have made an error, some people may have a spouse that neglected to mention their debit transactions and some people may have had a fraudulent transaction against their account (all too common in this age of identity theft).

"IF you don't work for the bank, and that's a big if, 'I am the law', where are you finding time to comment multiple times on every post? Same with you, 'Edgeman'."

Are you suggesting that I work for US Bank? Interesting. A couple of weeks ago we had a guy suggesting that I was "in cahoots" with Bank of America. Now this.

For the record, I have never worked for US Bank or any other bank, have no plans to work for a bank and doubt that I'd be hired if I applied. Some people choose to believe in this false dichotomy for some reason though I find this behavior to be quite irrational.

"I've never had a problem with overdraft charges no matter how little money I was making and no matter how young I was, until I had an account (past tense of course) with US Bank. Now that I left them, I have no problems at all. Hmm, I wonder why that is"

Care to send me your statements? I'd be happy to tell you how the fees were charged. Given your statements about online banking, I do wonder if you thought that was for learning your account balance.

"It must be, because US Bank is infallible and the 300+ people that posted complaints on here are just irresponsible morons, right? Right?"

I wouldn't call all 300+ people irresponsible morons. In fact, I have never called a single person on this site a moron and I don't know why you would attempt to set up a strawman argument. Having said that, according to a recent FDIC study, the vast majority of americans do not pay overdraft fees and most of the overdraft fees that we read about on this site are generated by the account holder.

That doesn't mean that they are "irresponsible morons" (your words). Some people may have made an error, some people may have a spouse that neglected to mention their debit transactions and some people may have had a fraudulent transaction against their account (all too common in this age of identity theft).

Regardless of who regulates what, I've had accounts at many banks (I've moved a lot), and I've never had the kinds of problems I've had with US Bank. Did I somehow get LESS responsible as I got older? Do I make less money than I did when I was making pocket change in the military? No and no. It's not me that changed, it's the bank. IF you don't work for the bank, and that's a big if, "I am the law", where are you finding time to comment multiple times on every post? Same with you, "Edgeman". There are a lot of irresponsible people out there, I'm not denying that. I'm a very responsible person, and I've never had a problem with overdraft charges no matter how little money I was making and no matter how young I was, until I had an account (past tense of course) with US Bank. Now that I left them, I have no problems at all. Hmm, I wonder why that is. Probably just a coincidence right? It must be, because US Bank is infallible and the 300+ people that posted complaints on here are just irresponsible morons, right? Right?

There is no "reform" coming in bank overdraft policy. Bank fees are, (GASP!) regulated by the SEC and banking commissions. And (GASP!) banks are audited yearly to make sure they are in compliance with government standards. Enough with the conspiracy theories! I've told you a million times why USB posts things the way they do! I've told you a million times how check card transactions work! I've told you a million times that you sign a legal document when you open the account stating you understand and agree to the terms of the account (including fees). I've told you a million times I don't work at US Bank; I've just had an account there for a long time! What I see in these reports are people who are irresponsible with their accounts and don't want to blame themselves. Do everyone a favor and keep your conspiracy theories limited to Area 51, huh?

The FDIC Study of Bank Overdraft Programs (Dec 2, 2008) is posted at www.fdic.gov.

Bank overdraft loans are shockingly expensive. Small transactions at high fees for short repayment periods translate into interest rates that start at 1,000 percent APR. Bank overdraft loans are very expensive. Based on the average size of transactions that overdrew accounts, the FDIC calculated the annual percentage rate (APR) for a two week repayment period using the typical $27 fee. A $20 overdraft triggered by a debit card purchase at a store costs 3,520 percent APR.

Consumers who live in low income areas pay the most in overdraft fees, and low income consumers are more likely to have recurrent overdrafts.

The Federal Reserve's proposed rules should be strengthened to require affirmative
consumer choice, Truth in Lending Act disclosures, and prohibit manipulation of the order of processing withdrawals.

British bank customers are now filing for reimbursement of overdraft fees charged.

Order of debits is NOT RELEVANT! If you're short money, you're short money. You're still going to overdraft. The reason that banks (ALL BANKS) post credits before debits is because large debits are typically more important than small ones. If you are short money in your account, would you rather have your $900 mortgage payment be rejected or the $10 check you wrote to your local grocery store? It's simple, learn basic math skills or stop using banks.

Not sure why I posted the same thing three times; I didn't mean to. My bad.

Edgeman, maybe you want to keep a couple of your replies to this type of report in a text file so you can save time by pasting them when you respond.

If I may reiterate what I and some others have written on this matter:

1) Many banks - not US, according to I Am The Law - will post debits before credits, not to "force" an overdraft, but to increase the likelyhood that they'll happen if an account's available balance is low.

2) They will post larger transactions before smaller ones that come in on the same day. This way multiple overdrafts are possible rather than just one, like what happened to Donna.

3) There are literally billions of dollars worth of overdraft fees paid to banks each year, and the procedures I just referenced were engineered to optimize the revenue potential from these fees.

4) The days of the check "float" are over. Lots of businesses - and more every day - are taking advantage of the Check 21 system to receive funds from an account immediately when they're given a check.
Here's an example: Back in the 20th century, it was possible to write a check on Wednesday without enough funds in your account (that's illegal, by the way) and it would clear your bank on Friday or over the weekend after your paycheck was deposited.
Now you have to assume it'll clear within a few minutes of someone receiving that check.
Even if it takes a few days, you must still act as if the money is gone as soon as you write it.

5) Transactions may not immediately be reflected in your balance see if you're looking at your account online or reading the balance on an ATM receipt. This isn't up to the minute info you're seeing.

Being aware of these facts will help you to prevent your bank from imposing overdraft fees, but it doesn't end there.

As Edgeman and others have written so many times, you can't be overdrawn if you follow these simple practices:

Step 1: Know how much money you put in your account.
Step 2: SPEND LESS THAN YOU PUT IN!
Step 3: Repeat Steps 1 and 2.

Edgeman, maybe you want to keep a couple of your replies to this type of report in a text file so you can save time by pasting them when you respond.

If I may reiterate what I and some others have written on this matter:

1) Many banks - not US, according to I Am The Law - will post debits before credits, not to "force" an overdraft, but to increase the likelyhood that they'll happen if an account's available balance is low.

2) They will post larger transactions before smaller ones that come in on the same day. This way multiple overdrafts are possible rather than just one, like what happened to Donna.

3) There are literally billions of dollars worth of overdraft fees paid to banks each year, and the procedures I just referenced were engineered to optimize the revenue potential from these fees.

4) The days of the check "float" are over. Lots of businesses - and more every day - are taking advantage of the Check 21 system to receive funds from an account immediately when they're given a check.
Here's an example: Back in the 20th century, it was possible to write a check on Wednesday without enough funds in your account (that's illegal, by the way) and it would clear your bank on Friday or over the weekend after your paycheck was deposited.
Now you have to assume it'll clear within a few minutes of someone receiving that check.
Even if it takes a few days, you must still act as if the money is gone as soon as you write it.

5) Transactions may not immediately be reflected in your balance see if you're looking at your account online or reading the balance on an ATM receipt. This isn't up to the minute info you're seeing.

Being aware of these facts will help you to prevent your bank from imposing overdraft fees, but it doesn't end there.

As Edgeman and others have written so many times, you can't be overdrawn if you follow these simple practices:

Step 1: Know how much money you put in your account.
Step 2: SPEND LESS THAN YOU PUT IN!
Step 3: Repeat Steps 1 and 2.

Edgeman, maybe you want to keep a couple of your replies to this type of report in a text file so you can save time by pasting them when you respond.

If I may reiterate what I and some others have written on this matter:

1) Many banks - not US, according to I Am The Law - will post debits before credits, not to "force" an overdraft, but to increase the likelyhood that they'll happen if an account's available balance is low.

2) They will post larger transactions before smaller ones that come in on the same day. This way multiple overdrafts are possible rather than just one, like what happened to Donna.

3) There are literally billions of dollars worth of overdraft fees paid to banks each year, and the procedures I just referenced were engineered to optimize the revenue potential from these fees.

4) The days of the check "float" are over. Lots of businesses - and more every day - are taking advantage of the Check 21 system to receive funds from an account immediately when they're given a check.
Here's an example: Back in the 20th century, it was possible to write a check on Wednesday without enough funds in your account (that's illegal, by the way) and it would clear your bank on Friday or over the weekend after your paycheck was deposited.
Now you have to assume it'll clear within a few minutes of someone receiving that check.
Even if it takes a few days, you must still act as if the money is gone as soon as you write it.

5) Transactions may not immediately be reflected in your balance see if you're looking at your account online or reading the balance on an ATM receipt. This isn't up to the minute info you're seeing.

Being aware of these facts will help you to prevent your bank from imposing overdraft fees, but it doesn't end there.

As Edgeman and others have written so many times, you can't be overdrawn if you follow these simple practices:

Step 1: Know how much money you put in your account.
Step 2: SPEND LESS THAN YOU PUT IN!
Step 3: Repeat Steps 1 and 2.

Edgeman, maybe you want to keep a couple of your replies to this type of report in a text file so you can save time by pasting them when you respond.

If I may reiterate what I and some others have written on this matter:

1) Many banks - not US, according to I Am The Law - will post debits before credits, not to "force" an overdraft, but to increase the likelyhood that they'll happen if an account's available balance is low.

2) They will post larger transactions before smaller ones that come in on the same day. This way multiple overdrafts are possible rather than just one, like what happened to Donna.

3) There are literally billions of dollars worth of overdraft fees paid to banks each year, and the procedures I just referenced were engineered to optimize the revenue potential from these fees.

4) The days of the check "float" are over. Lots of businesses - and more every day - are taking advantage of the Check 21 system to receive funds from an account immediately when they're given a check.
Here's an example: Back in the 20th century, it was possible to write a check on Wednesday without enough funds in your account (that's illegal, by the way) and it would clear your bank on Friday or over the weekend after your paycheck was deposited.
Now you have to assume it'll clear within a few minutes of someone receiving that check.
Even if it takes a few days, you must still act as if the money is gone as soon as you write it.

5) Transactions may not immediately be reflected in your balance see if you're looking at your account online or reading the balance on an ATM receipt. This isn't up to the minute info you're seeing.

Being aware of these facts will help you to prevent your bank from imposing overdraft fees, but it doesn't end there.

As Edgeman and others have written so many times, you can't be overdrawn if you follow these simple practices:

Step 1: Know how much money you put in your account.
Step 2: SPEND LESS THAN YOU PUT IN!
Step 3: Repeat Steps 1 and 2.

Edgeman, maybe you want to keep a couple of your replies to this type of report in a text file so you can save time by pasting them when you respond.

If I may reiterate what I and some others have written on this matter:

1) Many banks - not US, according to I Am The Law - will post debits before credits, not to "force" an overdraft, but to increase the likelyhood that they'll happen if an account's available balance is low.

2) They will post larger transactions before smaller ones that come in on the same day. This way multiple overdrafts are possible rather than just one, like what happened to Donna.

3) There are literally billions of dollars worth of overdraft fees paid to banks each year, and the procedures I just referenced were engineered to optimize the revenue potential from these fees.

4) The days of the check "float" are over. Lots of businesses - and more every day - are taking advantage of the Check 21 system to receive funds from an account immediately when they're given a check.
Here's an example: Back in the 20th century, it was possible to write a check on Wednesday without enough funds in your account (that's illegal, by the way) and it would clear your bank on Friday or over the weekend after your paycheck was deposited.
Now you have to assume it'll clear within a few minutes of someone receiving that check.
Even if it takes a few days, you must still act as if the money is gone as soon as you write it.

5) Transactions may not immediately be reflected in your balance see if you're looking at your account online or reading the balance on an ATM receipt. This isn't up to the minute info you're seeing.

Being aware of these facts will help you to prevent your bank from imposing overdraft fees, but it doesn't end there.

As Edgeman and others have written so many times, you can't be overdrawn if you follow these simple practices:

Step 1: Know how much money you put in your account.
Step 2: SPEND LESS THAN YOU PUT IN!
Step 3: Repeat Steps 1 and 2.

Ever consider the possibility that a few of us are simply trying to help others understand how to manage a checking account so that they will not have to pay overdraft fees?

I think that it's ridiculous to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars in overdraft fees. Even if somebody only overdrafts three times a month that is still over $1,200 a year that could be earning interest.

For the record, I have never worked for any bank and do not anticipate ever being employed by one. I'm simply a working class guy who doesn't see any benefit in racking up overdraft fees.

Either, "I am the Law" has nothing better to do (strange for someone with such a self-important title!) than to answer US Bank complaints, or they get paid for their defense. Funny, though, "the Law" just spews out the policy line over and over...how does that help? You said it yourself over 300 complaints! Don't you figure it is something MORE than frivolous complaints, or bad accounting? Sorry "Charlie" you aren't earning your pay! I don't buy a thing you say!!

I have a checking and savings account at US Bank as well as Bank of America. Both of those banks have hundreds of reports by people claiming that the banks manipulate transactions in order to "force" the account holder to overdraft.

If that is true, how is it possible that I haven't overdrafted my account? By any logical standard, if those reports were true I would be swimming in overdraft fees. How is it possible that the banks didn't make me overdraft?

It's not as if I keep a lot of money in checking... the interest is better on my savings account. One account is for photography (the money I make in photography goes to buy more gear) and after my most recent purchase has a balance of $1.37. Sounds as if that account is perfect for the evil bank to force overdraft charges.

There are currently 307 reports on this website complaining about US Bank; most of them whining about overdrafts. People, people, people... it's simple. Your checking account is free (barring paying for blank checks) as long as you don't spend money you don't have. Let's clear up a few misconceptions....
FACT: The account owner is responsible for the balance, not the bank.
FACT: You can check your balance over the phone or online 24 hours a day. They also have ATM's you can use for this and they now even offer e-mail and text message alerts when your balance gets low; so don't give me the "No one told me" bit.
FACT: When you use your check card, the funds come off of the available balance immediately, but don't exit the account until the merchant presents the proof of purchase. Banks, BY LAW, must pay debits from the available balance, not the account balance. (You can't respend money promised to some other party.)
FACT: Banks, BY LAW, must disclose their fee information and their funds availability rules at the time the account is opened. In fact, you sign a document when you open the account stating that you understand and agree to the terms of the account.
FACT: US Bank ALWAYS posts credits before debits.
FACT: You pretty much don't have to pay your bank a dime to them if you remember these simple rules.

I have had a bank account at US Bank for roughly seven years and the only time I've ever paid them money was when I was ordering blank checks. That was only $12 total, and I only have to do that about every three years because I take advantage of their FREE online bill payment service. Wake up, America and take responsibility for yourselves!

i was a victim of US Banks unfair fees for overdraft charges. i had used my check card as credit for 4 purchases so the money that was in my account was immediatly taken out and held until the merchant sends the charges through.
well, i had a check come thorough my account that i written about 3 weeks prior that sent my account into the negative. so, i figured, when i checked my account that i will just pay the difference of the check + the bank fee because the bank paid it for me. it was about $46 that i was short of in my account. it was my fault for the oversight so i didnt sweat it this time.
what i didn't know, US bank took all my money including what was held for the purchases i made with my check card and paid the check. they ended up charging me overdrawn fees for the 4 purchases + the check that had bounced.
i called my branch talked with a supervisor who told me they took funds that were in my account and applied it to the check because it was larger than my small purchases. so now i was having to pay overdraft charges for items that were actually paid for because the money was in my account but held until the merchant sends the charges through + the check that bounced!
all this added up to hugh fees of over $200. i told them that it was unfair and frankly illegal to bounce items that were paid for. i threatned to call the attorney general which i did who told me to call the office of the comptroller of the currency.
when i told them this they were all too eager to refund the overdraft fees for the 4 purchases and only charge me for the bounce check, which i agreed to pay because that was my fault. watch them they will do things and you have to threaten them with calling the attorney general or the comptroller of the currency.

I guess some people will never learn. If a bank is charging you "Thousands in Overdraft fees", don't you think at some point you would actually stop and take their advise to balance your checkbook?

If you think you "cannot avoid" the fees you are wrong. If you refuse to balance your account, I'll give you another suggestion.

Use cash..you remember cash don't you it is those green pieces of paper with pictures of Presidents on them. Take $40..$80..whatever out at one time. Then use that cash to do your purchases instead of your Debit Card. Just try and go into 7-11 and make your RedBull and Candybar purchase with $1 in your wallet.

Your debit card will be approved up to the current available balnce in your account. So when you go to 7-11 to make your purchase and your available balance is $20, you will be able to spend $5 for your items. However, when the check you wrote last week for $17 comes in and posts then your 7-11 purchase will cause the overdraft. The solution was given to you by the representatives. Balance your checkbook and you won't have fees. After 'thousands in overdraft fees' I would think you would learn to use the register and not spend money before/unless it's available. You can either learn to properly manage your finances or you can chose to continue to give your money to the bank. Chose wisely.