For Bank Of America, Debit Fees Extend To Unemployment Benefits

[abelenkpe]

For Bank Of America, Debit Fees Extend To Unemployment Benefits

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/10/bank-of-america-debit-card-fees_n_1082329.html?ref=business

ORDOVA, S.C.-- Shawana Busby does not seem like the sort of customer who would be at the center of a major bank's business plan. Out of work for much of the last three years, she depends upon a $264-a-week unemployment check from the state of South Carolina. But the state has contracted with Bank of America to administer its unemployment benefits, and Busby has frequently found herself incurring bank fees to get her money.

To withdraw her benefits, Busby, 33, uses a Bank of America prepaid debit card on which the state deposits her funds. She could visit a Bank of America ATM free of charge. But this small community in the state's rural center, her hometown, does not have a Bank of America branch. Neither do the surrounding towns where she drops off her kids at school and attends church.

She could drive north to Columbia, the state capital, and use a Bank of America ATM there. But that entails a 50 mile drive, cutting into her gas budget. So Busby visits the ATMs in her area and begrudgingly accepts the fees, which reach as high as five dollars per transaction. She estimates that she has paid at least $350 in fees to tap her unemployment benefits.

"It really boggles my mind," she said. "This bank is taking little bits of money out of thousands of pockets, including mine."

(more at link)

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Corporations have no morals and see no problem kicking people when they are down.

[CrispyQ]

1. Fucking bloodsuckers.

:grr: :grr: :grr:

[jayfish]

2. DUPE

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2279344

[slackmaster]

3. Phone-pole sodomize Bank of America

:nuke:

[doc03]

4. They tried to push a debit card on us in Ohio for

unemployment, I signed for direct deposit and they still sent me a debit card. I had to call JFS and tell them again I didn't want their debit card I wanted direct deposit. It was 4 weeks before I received my first unemployment payment. I don't remember what bank the debit card was from. This was two years ago, I know people complained that they were charged I think $1.50 every time they used the card.

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. If you sign up for Soc. Sec. to be paid on a debit card, here is the fee list:

First let me state some facts:
as of Jan. 2013, anyone who is now getting a check will have to opt for either direct deposit
or
a debit card.
( This applies to SSI, also)
If you have no bank account, you will have the debit card
BUT
even if you have a bank, you CAN request the debit card.

The debit card info. came in the mail to me this week.
( even tho I have direct deposit, Soc.Sec. is really pushing the debit card)

the brochure lists these fees: ( what are the odds the bank will raise the fees, hmmm?)

One Free ATM withdrawal a month, after that each one during the month is $.90
Monthly paper statement mailed to you is $.75
If you transfer to a personal bank account $1.50 EACH transfer.
Replacement of card after one free replacement each year: $4.00

I cannot imagine why anyone who has a bank account would get the debit card when the direct deposit is free ( so far).
But for those who do not have a bank account, getting their benefits ( unemployment, SSI, Soc. Sec., etc)
is very expensive.

[jwirr]

6. The only reason that I got the debit is because the bank I had an

account with was threatening to take the whole deposit for what I owed. In order to protect the SSA and SSI I opted for the debit card. It costs me about $3.00 a month to get my money out. I was in real trouble - homeless - until I finally got the money back into my hands.

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. I understand. A lot of people will not have options about the card, sadly.