I know E'hrerbody has Customer Svc Complaints...

[nisi29]

But get this! (I just have to vent cause I don't have anywhere else to turn) I'm already hoarse from "venting" ( and being verbally abusive) to my bank.

Anywhooo, I lost my Mastercard checkcard, I tried to step up to the plate and be honest and tell them that I lost it, when in fact I should have lied and said someone stole it. The reason I didn't was because I thought they would've been asking for police reports and all.
Well, it all started on Friday (5/6) when I tried to withdraw some cash, and I kept getting a msg stating that my pin was incorrect or invalid. Now mind you I've had this account for 3 yrs and have ALWAYS used the SAME darn PIN, so I know it was right. I tried several ATM's,ANNNND the grocery store with a cash back purchase. All with no luck, but what I found strange is that one ATM that I attemped to use actually showed my PIN # as I entered it. I mean there were no asteriks or dots, but the actual 4 digit number. I kinda shrugged it off and went home to call
the CS dept and ask what was up. They proceed to inform me that there is a problem with PIN # transactions, and "hopefully" it would be fixed by the close of business, but I was welcome to use my card as a credit card to make purchases.

So I said ok, cause the girl was really nice and apologetic. Friday was the last time I used it, because like I said it was "lost" and I use the term lost because no one mugged me or forcibly took it from me,but what happened over the weekend was AMAZING!! This person or persons that got hold of my card did some DAMAGE!!( prolly a dopefiend!!) They made about $550 in ATM withdrawls and about $625 in purchases.
When I fianlly was able to get a Customer Service person on the line MONDAY...yes monday, can you believe they take weekends off?!!(which is poor cs in and of itself if you ask me) But luckily I had enough sense to email them and leave a voce mail message explaining my situation on Saturday morning when I 1st missed the card. The lady cancels the card transfers me to the "fraud department" and I explain the whole story again to this dumb arse, and what he tells me is that I can't dispute the ATM transactions. EVEN THOUGH THEY had ATM transactions problems over the weekend. I even explained how my pin # was shown on the screen and it wasn't one of the ATM's that have the slanted screen so anyone standing behind or next to you couldn't see. He told me that I had to find out who owned the ATM that displayed my pin # and take it up with them!! Is that crazy?! Do they not advertise ALL over the place that if your card is ever lost OR stolen you're not responsible for fraudulent charges?! Does that NOT include ATM transactions?! Is there a disclaimer or fine print somewhere that I'm missing? NO I think not! I pride myself on reading fine print , disclaimers,terms and conditions etc!
It's my fault that they had system problems and someone got hold of my pin#. Yes it's very possible that the last time I used the card I negelected to get it back, but it's not my fault that someone used it without my permission. Which by the way, the last time I used it was at a Wendy's that was very close to the ATM that dispalyed my pin # hmmm. Is it totally incomprehensible that someone saw my pin#, followed me to Wendy's (cause I had to charge $5 funky a##dollars and 38 cents!) and somehow picked my pocket or got hold of my card?
Why is it so hard to believe that theives/crooks are smart?!

So now I'm just out over $500, and I'm just a working joe! I don't have 500 bucks to just GIVE away! With all the media coverage about identity theft and all you would think that they would eat those charges as well.
They can take care of the purchases but not the cash withdrawls??? I don't get it!? Even though they were on the same day(s).
I guess I ought to just be glad that the idiot who used my card was stupid enough to make more purchaes than ATM transactions or I'd be up a creek...

I have to go watch Good Times eat a bowl of ice cream, and dodge my bill collectors now, thanks for reading guys... I feel better. :i need a

[charliekilothree]

I see that you live in Chicago. That place is full of people trying to surf for PINs and other dirty deeds. I used to live there and I know there are plenty of pickpockets and other scam artists. I feel for you and I'm glad that you're not out of the total amount of the fraud. Have you read the disclaimer regarding unauthorized ATM withdrawals? Make sure they provide you with a copy of there policy on these matters before taking some CS rep's word for it.

[saraphen]

This sucks!! Do you have the most recent statement they sent you? I bet you can find their statement about lost or stolen cards, and read them the riot act.

[Samoon]

QUOTE: "What he tells me is that I can't dispute the ATM transactions."

"Been there, helped out" with one of my family members. The representative at the bank that you spoke with may be misinformed. If a thief did take your card and use it at the ATM? There are CAMERAS at all ATM's and you might want to do the following:

1. File a Police Report if you have not done so already. The police in your area may offer Victim's Compensation services as your situation is that of robbery-felony notwithstanding that the offense IS federal as the money was stolen FROM your bank.
2. See the Bank Manager, explain what happened verbally, and present, IN WRITING with a notarized statement. Provide the manager with a copy of your police report as well. You have the right to ask to have the date(s) of the activity including pictures made available to you.
3. If the manager/bank is reticient about following through in making the activity available to you? Draft a letter with supporting documents or see the regional manager of your bank AND seek the services of a Para-legal (the cost is nominal compared to an Attorney) and find out what from the legal standpoint what can be done. Good luck to you.

[saraphen]

Good advice, Samoon.

[nisi29]

Thanks Samoon! I actually thought that this was a one shot deal by me stating that I lost the card I couldn't file a police report... And I did sugguest getting the photos of the ATM transactions to the BAFOON in the "fraud department". I said "well aren't all ATM transcations videotaped or photographed?" He then abruptly cuts me off and tells me "yes they are but, A) the owners of the ATM's don't have to release them" and B) if they do that doesn't prove anything, we have nothing to compare it to. The bottom line is somehow you put your pin in jeapordy, because it's not embedded in the card anywhere. This person would've had to have your card and pin # to make ATM withdrawls" ( is he dumb or just stooooopid?!!) Anyway I have a few messages left for the manager. Plus I'm going to check into getting advice from a paralegal like you suggested.But when this ordeal is over...you besta believe I'mo be switichin' banks. This REALLY let me know how poor customer service really is. It's not just limited to cell phone and cable companies.

[Cheese Biscuit]

((((nisi29)))) I'm sure that everything will work out in your favor.

[Cheese Biscuit]

Nisi29, please keep us posted. I'm interested in learning the outcome. Meanwhile, here's another