PNC Bank Story: Are they intentionally stealing from their customers?

[BurtWorm]

Here's the story: a relative of mine goes into a store to buy a string to keep her sunglasses from getting lost. The cashier doesn't know the price, calls out to someone in "aisle 3" or whatever, who calls back "Three ninety five." The cashier absent-mindedly rings in $395 and runs the bank card through, then catches her mistake. The bank, meanwhile, deducts $395 from the relative's account--$395 my relative didn't have in there. Automatically, the bank charges my relative $31 for the accidental overdraft. When the cashier corrects her mistake, she runs the card through again. The bank charges another $3.95 from the account--and another $31 for the second "overdraft." Now the string has cost my relative $62 (all but $3.95 of it going to PNC), and the bank takes its sweet time crediting her for the amount that was in there before the cashier accidentally overcharged her. And they're saying it's my relative's fault that she didn't have enough in her account to cover the actual cost of the string, so they can't cancel the overdraft charges.

Now, why doesn't the bank's electronic transfer software know enough to decline payment when there's not enough in a customer's account? That would seem to be a pretty straightforward function to program into it. Is it because declining payment doesn't make PNC any money?

[acmavm]

1. Of course. Service charges are bread and butter for these guys.

The now have so many 'free' checking accounts and crap that they'll really screw you on the other end.

[Junkdrawer]

2. Call the Bank Manager. If he/she doesn't fix it, call Corp HQ....

if you don't get satisfaction, send a letter to all the above and cc the local paper's consumer reporter.

[Theres-a]

3. That's just wrong.

PNC?

[PA Democrat]

8. Used to be known as Pittsburgh National Bank

headquartered in Pgh, PA.

And to the original poster, yes, call the manager of the branch where the account is held and demand a refund of overdraft charges. It would be a bad business decision for the bank manager not to refund fees with an apology.

[skids]

4. Use cash.

That way you won't give the company your sales history, for sale to the highest bidder.

[RamboLiberal]

5. I've dealt with PNC for a couple of problems

including being charged for an overdraft when I was supposed to have protection with my other accounts. I went to the branch in person and was immediately credited.

Also had a problem where my debit card info was stolen. Took 2 efforts but they did return my money that was used fraudulently.

I've no complaints with PNC. And I like that I have totally free checking and debit card privaleges at their ATM's.

I'd suggest if your relative is not getting satisfaction with PNC visiting their local branch.

I think most big banks these days will have problems we all can bitch about. I wouldn't single out PNC.

[PRETZEL]

9. same here,

I've been a PNC customer since they moved into the Philly market years ago (not necessarily by choice) but have had very few complaints. They're not unlike most big banks. All the transactions are virtually live postings and until they are notified of errors they're pretty much none the wiser.

[BurtWorm]

11. It's usually people with less money in their accounts that banks prey on.

If you can maintain a balance, they leave you alone. But if you can't save, they will make you pay and pay and pay again.

[Junkdrawer]

13. Banks and health insurance companies prey on people who don't complain...

While I have yet to have a bank error or a health insurance error NOT corrected, I have often had to complain all the way to the top and sometimes to state consumer agencies.

I wonder how many are as persistant (or anal retentive ;) ) as I am.

[CrispyQ]

6. She need to take this up the ladder.

Or if she has a banker at a local branch, take it there. I would not let some customer service rep say, 'sorry that's our policy' & leave it at that.

[jn2375]

7. I am a PNC customer also, even if your account has a negative

balance they still continue to accept your visa, check card purchases, or checks even though you have a negative balance BUT
they then proceed to charge you $30.00 for insufficent funds on each transaction!!!!Also they take the $30.00 charge out or higher out of your account without telling you!!This could result in your being charged hundreds of dollars in insufficent funds because you believe money is in there that they have withdrawn. Believe me I know it happend to me!!!!!!!!!

[BurtWorm]

10. It's happening to her.

It's robbery. No wonder they're taking over little banks like crazy. They're running on stolen dough. Bastids!

[madmom]

12. something similar happened to my son last month...

he had it set up for a company(don't know which one) to deduct $50 a month from his account for charges owed. He went in to cash his payroll check and they told him he had insufficient funds in his account and he asked why because he knew he had money in there. Seems the company took out 2 payments one right after the other but on the same day.so he got racked for insufficient funds and had too put money into the account to keep it open. He called the company and they said it was a mistake(yeah right) about 3 weeks later they sent him a check to cover the charge from the bank.Gotta keep an eye on 'em all the time folks they'll rob ya blind!