Account Abuse: So how should I handle this?

[alandaj]

So here is the story. I had an account with Bank of America about two years ago I got one of those check advances to handle a bill. I thought I had canceled some insurance policies in time so that I could have the money to handle the payment for the check advance, but it didn't go so well. Just like that my account was over $200 in the hole. Now this is where the frustrating part begins. The check advance company said they would continue to charge my account unless I paid the total amount. Their system would attempt to pull the money three times per week. BofA would not close the account at my request due to it being negative and told me that they can stop the payment if I give the exact amount. The problem was that the check advance company would change the amount. When I would call BofA or go to the branch where I opened my account, I was told time there was nothing they could do if I could not give them the exact amount. Eventually I was told the account would close on its own. Well the company kept "attempting to collect" the money from my account and the account was not closing like I was told. I still would try to get BofA to do something as time passed, only to be told the same thing each time. Well it finally closed to the tune of -$1853.75 and reported as account abuse a little over a year ago. I am definitely perturbed that this was something that could have been stopped way earlier than it was as I tried to stop it early on. Is this something that I can dispute?

[mca]

yes anyone can dispute. Bank Of America is one of the harder banks and normally disputes do nto work especially when you are left owing such a large amount of money but it never hurts to try. I tell everyone to dispute.

[alandaj]

OK. So how would you suggest I approach the dispute. To me I'm being held to account abuse for something not really in my control, but would that be a worthy/legit challenge?

[mca]

Chexsystems allows the vague "FRAUD" "NSF" and "ABUSE" flags because they are harder to dispute and remove. There are no clear standards for what is considered NSF, Fraud or ABUSE. They can mean anything a bank wants them to.

 

What proof do they have to flag an account FRAUD, NSF or ABUSE? (Most people dispute based on these vague indicators)

 

www.chexsystemsdisputes.com

[alandaj]

Well I finally did the dispute and it seems to be running into overtime. I got my green card back Dec. 7th, they sent me a letter dated on the 8th stating they received it and would review. Now as of Jan. 11th I have heard nothing. I plan to give them the rest of this week, but if I hear nothing should I send a letter requesting deletion like I would with the other CRAs?

[BananaTheDog]

Well I finally did the dispute and it seems to be running into overtime. I got my green card back Dec. 7th, they sent me a letter dated on the 8th stating they received it and would review. Now as of Jan. 11th I have heard nothing. I plan to give them the rest of this week, but if I hear nothing should I send a letter requesting deletion like I would with the other CRAs?

 

Subscribing, this same exact thing has happened to me.

[alandaj]

How do I do that?

[mca]

send in letter 3 http://www.chexsystemsdisputes.com/Sample_Letters.html

[alandaj]

Thanks for the link, but I won't need it. I got the letter yesterday and ... WOOHOO!!!! They were unable to verify within the 30 days and it's GONE!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

Thanks for your help mca. I wouldn't have even bothered challenging it if you hadn't told me to go for it. Also here is the body of the letter that I sent.

 

Dear Consumer Relations:

 

I have been informed that there is negative information reported by Bank of America in the file Chexsystems maintains under my Social Security number. After further review I have found the following errors.

 

• FCRA Section 623(a)(5)(A) states that the company must provide commencement date of delinquency that immediately preceded the action. “Date Reported†is not the commencement date of delinquency. Please have company provide date of initial delinquency or remove account from report.
  
• The address is incorrect. Copy of Drivers License and a current bill are included to show correct address. Please correct or remove from report.
  
• Drivers License # is incorrect. Copy of Drivers License # included to show correct number. Please correct or remove from report.
  

 

 

Please correct information provided or delete this item. Thirty days constitutes the allowed time for investigation. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

 

I'm so happy that I can finally get a local checking account again!

[mca]

wtg glad it worked!!!!