Bank of America drafted auto-payments when card balance was $0 or negative

[DeadMoneyDrew]

Early last year I got a Bank of America credit card to take advantage of the 0% fee on balance transfers. When I set up my online account and recurring monthly payments, there was no option to choose "minimum payment" as the auto-payment amount. There was only the option to pay a predetermined amount. I set it at $75, which was roughly the first month's minimum payment on the transferred balance.

 

In late March I paid off the remainder of the balance and tossed the card into a drawer. I didn't use it again until making a small purchase this week to keep the card active. I then noticed on my May checking account statement that Bank of America was continuing to debit my checking account $75. A quick review of my recent bank statements showed that they had done this in April as well, and I had simply overlooked it. So I now have a balance of -$141.03. What nonsense! I unwittingly gave BofA a $150 interest free loan, and they were more than happy to take it.

 

I reviewed the auto-payment options today to confirm that I wasn't crazy/dumb/too stupid to find a "minimum payment" option. Either I'm crazy/dumb/stupid, or there is no such option. I don't remember if I initially set up an end date or if I chose the "until I cancel this plan" option, but why the hell would they keep drafting my account when I don't owe them anything?

 

 

I have come to loathe Bank of America for numerous reasons. This is simply another reason to add to the list. What are my options here? I'm tempted to just charge $141.03 on the card and be done with it, but of course that would generate additional fees for them.

 

Grrr.

[ukaserex]

I'd call or secure message them and tell them to mail you a check.

[Konrad2012]

You set up a $75 autopay. I'm not sure what you're upset about.

[cv91915]

You set up a $75 autopay. I'm not sure what you're upset about.

How dare you.

Edited June 10, 2017 by cv91915

[socally]

I have autopay for the minimum amount with BOA. So I just looked at my account online. Under "payment options" I have a "minimum payment" option. So I'm not sure why yours didn't offer that That's strange.

 

If it were me, I would just make a pay another bill with your credit.

 

 

Note: I'm just noticing your heading says "recurring payment". My autopay is listed under their "e-bill payment plan" option. So maybe they offer different types of payments? I'm not sure.

Edited June 10, 2017 by socally

[DeadMoneyDrew]

I have autopay for the minimum amount with BOA. So I just looked at my account online. Under "payment options" I have a "minimum payment" option. So I'm not sure why yours didn't offer that That's strange.

 

If it were me, I would just make a pay another bill with your credit.

 

 

Note: I'm just noticing your heading says "recurring payment". My autopay is listed under their "e-bill payment plan" option. So maybe they offer different types of payments? I'm not sure.

I couldn't figure it out either. It's entirely possible that this was user error.

[Cactus Flower]

If you have their credit card there are 3 ways you can make payments..

 

1. Checking account's Bill Pay

2. Request a payment to be made on the actual card's portal - where they will direct debit your checking acct

3. From the Transfer tab...if you have your checking/savings through BOA as well.

 

If you initiated the payment out of Bill Pay or as a transfer of funds, I am not sure it mattered whether you had a balance on there or not, it would just happen.

 

fun, right?

[CocoPuff]

Macy's does this as well if you make a manual payment as well. They claimed to have sent a check I never received, so I just spent my credit (I found all of this out while buying something anyway). I removed them from autopay.