Bank of America closed all my accounts. What to do now? *UPDATED 03/01/08*

No, the $888,888.88 debits reappeared on my accounts this morning. I've been hit with even more fees too. I'm on the phone with them right now (on hold, of course).

The local branch said they are locked out of my accounts. I finally reached a CSR, but she promptly hung up when I told her I was on a recorded line.

I love how you edited out your account number... but left me listening to the stupid BofA hold jingle that makes me want to kill myself.

I have to admit that is total BS.

ArbolLoco said: just a FYI I just got off the phone with BofA and when I mentioned that I wanted to tell them that certain transactions should not be deemed suspicious... she opened a "money laundering" screen and followed specific instructions that she got off that screen.Are you sure that she wasn't reading DavidScubadiver's post?

theficus said: The local branch said they are locked out of my accounts.

Did you try getting the local branch manager to make a call for you? If he/she asks the same questions, you might have a better shot at getting some answers.

i've always hated BOA... so. good luck to you

DiabloD3 said: Besides Technologist, who seems to be FWF's BoA fanboy, I'm surprised anyone deals with them.Dont forget me . I've stuck up for BofA quite a bit; I've actually moved more of my banking, biz and personal, to them over the past couple years.

They screw up a lot, and sometimes it takes some persistance to get it fixed, but in the end I've always come out further ahead then if I had avoided them from the start (I esp love how they reallocate biz lines, but routinely 'forget' to decrease the limit of card your are reallocating from ). Admittedly, having gotten $800 for opening 13 checking accounts with them over the past 2 years probably has something to do with my optimism.......

As for the OP's situation, I'm guessing it was a simple fraud alert on the account that would have been cleared up rather painlessly if given the chance, but instead spiraled out of control with some knee-jerk initial reactions.

theficus said: Here's my second attempt at discussing the account closure with Bank of America. This attempt was really uneventful because the CSR hung up on me. I called them back and I'm on hold again right now.

EDIT: On second thought, she mentions the accounts closures were ordered by the card division, a different reason than what I was told last time.

How did she know that the line was being recorded?

I believe the OP's state is 2 party consent, which stinks. A person I knew (older gentleman) would record all major calls, both as documentation and to overcome his forgetfulness in my 1 side state. I have no idea about interstate call legalities w/o consent. Funny how all these major companies love to record our side of the conversation but refuse to give back the same courtesy.

Best of luck OP, if nothing else sharing your story will likely impact a few opinions of dealing with this company.

Awesome, so lately BofA are hanging up calls when you are recording the conversation?
Way to go, OP, it seems you are beginning to learn changing BofA's attitude!

(makes me want to have a recording device when going to talk to the boss)

Well, all I've got to say is this is Bull Honkey. Good luck to you, hope you get it resolved. I'm going to close out my Boa accounts.

Thanks for the explanation. That made more sense to me than the statement that I responded to. And, yes, I find it curious that OP is spending so much of his time not actually trying to get the problem cleared up, but generating discussion here. The recording that he linked to seemed to be more designed to provoke a hang-up response than to actually solve the problem. The thing is, I do have sympathy for people who are in these kind of predicaments, and if BoA really did these things to OP, then it does bother me, regardless of how I've been treated by BoA, and regardless of whether or not BoA had the legal right to do what they did. What I don't have sympathy for is when someone in that situation simply exacerbates the problem, rather than tries to solve it. Regrettably, that seems to be the case here.

And to put it into perspective, I see a "copycat" tnread. After reading its initial post, that's it for my reading and participating here, and I'm not going over to that thread again. These type of threads belong on Bank of America Sucks, rather than FWF.

DavidScubadiver said: theficus said: Here's my second attempt at discussing the account closure with Bank of America. This attempt was really uneventful because the CSR hung up on me. I called them back and I'm on hold again right now.

EDIT: On second thought, she mentions the accounts closures were ordered by the card division, a different reason than what I was told last time.Two things I have to note: First, you don't SOUND like a terrorist. And, second -- I have the same question as somebody else did -- how did she know you were recording? Do you use a device that gives an audible beep?

It's probably noted on the account to ask if they're being recorded, as that was the second time he was hung up on for recording calls.

You should be happy BOA is closing your accounts! 2 years ago it took me 3 months and 6 visits to my local branch to close a checking account. They wanted their monthly fee and refused to close it. If you are a shareholder this bank is great. If you are a custy forget about it. I just take them for a few grand in credit card sign up bonuses every year. Stay well clear for any other purposes IMO. Great stock to own tho lol.

LordKronos said: Did you listen to the recording? He didn't come right out and say "oh, by the way...I'm recording this".

That was the second call. He didn't post the first call, and as dumroo correctly quoted he admitting to telling them the line was recorded that first time. Since he told them he's recording calls it's probably now noted on his account to ask him if he's recording before sharing any more information.

The CSRs know the line is being recorded because my phone makes a beep when it's recording. I'm not going to lie and tell them otherwise. I have some more audio with another rude and unhelpful CSR. She claimed that "Bank of America monitors phone calls but doesn't record them." I'll try to post that in a few hours.

I called again this morning and spoke to a CSR without recording the conversation. She told me the following information:

1.) My accounts are closed as of 11/06/07. She then contradicted herself by stating that my accounts are open to receive credits only.
2.) Bank of America will send me my money when they "feel it's appropriate."
3.) They will deduct the several hundred dollars in fees from my refund check.
4.) I am blacklisted by Bank of America. They also share this information with other banks.
5.) It's not Bank of America's problem if all my payments bounce. It's also not their problem if they continue to take my paychecks and hold them. "You shouldn't commit fraud if you don't want to have these problems."
6.) There is a note on my account stating "CSRs are not to speak with this individual. He is known to record conversations. Refer him to our legal department only." She hung up on me after reading this. I guess she didn't see it until she read it to me.

I'm going to the courthouse Monday to file my lawsuit. I'll post updates as things happen.

theficus said: The CSRs know the line is being recorded because my phone makes a beep when it's recording.

That explains it, though it's odd that the sound doesn't show up in the recording (or at least I didn't hear it).

theficus said: The CSRs know the line is being recorded because my phone makes a beep when it's recording. I'm not going to lie and tell them otherwise. I have some more audio with another rude and unhelpful CSR. She claimed that "Bank of America monitors phone calls but doesn't record them." I'll try to post that in a few hours.

I called again this morning and spoke to a CSR without recording the conversation. She told me the following information:

1.) My accounts are closed as of 11/06/07. She then contradicted herself by stating that my accounts are open to receive credits only.
2.) Bank of America will send me my money when they "feel it's appropriate."
3.) They will deduct the several hundred dollars in fees from my refund check.
4.) I am blacklisted by Bank of America. They also share this information with other banks.
5.) It's not Bank of America's problem if all my payments bounce. It's also not their problem if they continue to take my paychecks and hold them. "You shouldn't commit fraud if you don't want to have these problems."
6.) There is a note on my account stating "CSRs are not to speak with this individual. He is known to record conversations. Refer him to our legal department only." She hung up on me after reading this. I guess she didn't see it until she read it to me.

I'm going to the courthouse Monday to file my lawsuit. I'll post updates as things happen.

Even if it were a scam, I'd still chip in $10 if you need a lawyer in order to fight against BofA, I hope the other FWers feel the same.

Tell us if you need.

Now the thread is informative to follow.

How can we record conversations without telling them??/