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  • Report:  #149394

Complaint Review: BankAtlantic - Bank Atlantic - Ft. Lauderdale Florida

Reported By:
- Boca raton, Florida,
Submitted:
Updated:

BankAtlantic - Bank Atlantic
2100 West Cypress Creek Road Ft. Lauderdale, 33432 Florida, U.S.A.
Phone:
800-741-1700
Web:
N/A
Categories:
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good? What's this?
I have been currently using BankAtlantic since i started College about 3 years ago. It was free so i decided to use it. Low and behold i have found out they are unfair, unethical, and are complete frauds.

On the 7th of July i had 2 payments come in and saw that i didnt have enough money to cover BOTH payments, but i have a saved copy of the internet report on my pc and it reads.

7/07/2005 Daily Ledge -$65.56

7/07/2005 FPL DIRECT DEBIT -$167.48 -$65.56

7/07/2005 THE STUDENT LOAN -$50.76 $101.92

7/06/2005 Daily Ledger $152.68

As you can see (if it came out right) i had 152$ in the bank, then on the morning of july 7th, it SAYS my student loan was taken out, leaving me with 100 dollars, THEN takes out $167, leaving me with -65. Thats an automatic fee right there, and ofcourse i accept it, because obviously that was my fault. Here comes the good part, here is an UPDATED account as of today as it reads

7/08/2005 Daily Ledger -$125.56

7/08/2005 OVERDRAFT -$30.00 -$125.56

7/08/2005 OVERDRAFT -$30.00 -$95.56

7/07/2005 Daily Ledger -$65.56

7/07/2005 STUDENT LOAN -$50.76 -$65.56

7/07/2005 FPL DIRECT -$167.48 -$14.80

7/06/2005 Daily Ledger $152.68

As you can see, bankatlantic (to make a fraudulent 30 dollars?) switched it around to read it like that. They have done this to my girlfriend a lot, but we have never cause a saved copy of them doing it. Payments are usually taken in the morning, and if 2 payments come in, they will take the highest 1 automatically hoping to overdraft the customer. BankAtlantic says they are going to get back to me, so we'll see, but in the meantime, stay away from this bank if you live in florida.

Paul

Boca Raton, Florida
U.S.A.



12 Updates & Rebuttals

M

Brandon,
Florida,
U.S.A.
Bank Atlantic IS horrible.

#2Consumer Comment

Fri, May 02, 2008

They offer backpacks and cookware to get new customers... LMAO Bank Atlantic has a reputation for 'scamming' their account holders for a few bucks here and there. This is nothing new and nothing illegal. Eventually these clowns will get gobbled up by a bigger, better bank. It won't take long. In the mean time... close your account and GO TO A CREDIT UNION.


Brian

Carmichael,
California,
U.S.A.
Find a new bank

#3Consumer Comment

Tue, February 05, 2008

Go with the advise, find a new bank, Washington Mutual is one of the best I have banked with. On occasion they have reversed fees that were my fault just out of courtesy...there is a limit to theyre kindness, but at least they do care...


Jennifer

Ft. Lauderdale,
Florida,
U.S.A.
Bank Atlantic SCAM

#4Consumer Comment

Tue, February 05, 2008

I hate to say it but I am glad I am not the only one, I thought I was going crazy. I am the victim of the OD charge on an authorization. I had a restaurant authorize a considerable amount more than the actual charge was. This "Hold" put my account in the negative and even though it did not clear I was charged an overdraft charge. And while this amount was on hold (it was a few days) I purchased other items as I did have the money in my account. But because the "Hold" was still on my account I was charged OD fees on all 4 of those items. Having no idea that BankAtlantic charges fees on Holds I did not log into my account for a week (why would I my balance should have been fine). I now have a weeks worth of $5.00 a day charges for being in overdraft which now brings me to about $270.00 all because a restaurant had a hold on money that was more than my bill. So I guess we are now responsible for our vendors authorization amounts????? I am still trying to get this corrected but I do not have much hope. I will find out what the fee ends up being and pay it and never do business with this bank again!!!!!!!


Robert

Wallingford,
Connecticut,
U.S.A.
Your receipt...

#5Consumer Comment

Thu, March 01, 2007

probably showed the posting date and not the funds available date. Funds from a check deposit usually aren't available to draw against until the following business day after posting to your account at the earliest (and usually only the first 100 dollars).


Ken

Randolph,
Massachusetts,
U.S.A.
Question

#6Consumer Comment

Thu, March 01, 2007

When you look at you account online does it give you two balances? (i.e. Ledger Balance AND Available Balance) Most places I have seen only give ledger balance. Since you are getting nicked for unavailable funds, it seems that you interpretted ledger as available. On the other hand, if they actually used the word 'available' then you should march in with your transcript and talk with the manager.


Al

Miami,
Florida,
U.S.A.
heres my case, in a nutshell

#7Consumer Comment

Wed, February 28, 2007

heres my case, in a nutshell they told me NO we arent refunding your OD fees because the check deposited did not clear until monday. but their internet banking said my funds were available, and also an ATM receipt showed the funds to be available for withdrawl. Tell me what you think about this. 02/28/2007 UNAVAILABLE/OD FEE FOR OVERDRAFT CHECK # 0 -$32.00 $1,077.65 02/28/2007 UNAVAILABLE/OD FEE FOR OVERDRAFT CHECK # 0 -$32.00 $1,109.65 02/28/2007 UNAVAILABLE/OD FEE FOR OVERDRAFT CHECK # 0 -$32.00 $1,141.65 02/28/2007 UNAVAILABLE/OD FEE FOR OVERDRAFT CHECK # 0 -$32.00 $1,173.65 02/27/2007 POS PURCHASE POS PURCHASE TERMINAL 41739501 SUPER STOP PETROLE UM, CAROL CIT FL SEQ # 01305100 5287230030369264 -$3.89 $1,205.65 02/27/2007 POS PURCHASE POS PURCHASE TERMINAL 0231 5850 NW 183RD ST MIAMI FL SEQ # 705800072020 5287230030369264 -$7.48 $1,209.54 02/27/2007 UNAVAILABLE/OD FEE FOR OVERDRAFT CHECK # 0 -$32.00 $1,217.02 02/27/2007 UNAVAILABLE/OD FEE FOR OVERDRAFT CHECK # 0 -$32.00 $1,249.02 02/27/2007 UNAVAILABLE/OD FEE FOR OVERDRAFT CHECK # 0 -$32.00 $1,281.02 02/27/2007 UNAVAILABLE/OD FEE FOR OVERDRAFT CHECK # 0 -$32.00 $1,313.02 02/27/2007 UNAVAILABLE/OD FEE FOR OVERDRAFT CHECK # 0 -$32.00 $1,345.02 02/27/2007 POS PURCHASE MERCHANT PURCHASE TERMINAL 55547517 OUTBACK #1087 MIAMI LAK FL SEQ # 263229011047 5287230030369264 -$36.47 $1,377.02 02/27/2007 SERVICE CHARGE ATM WITHDRAWAL -$1.50 $1,413.49 02/27/2007 ATM WITHDRAWAL CASH WITHDRAWAL TERMINAL RFC26296 PLAMETTO LAKES BRN CH DR MIAMI FL SEQ # 003673 5287230030369264 -$82.50 $1,414.99 02/26/2007 Daily Ledger Balance $1,497.49 02/26/2007 ATM WITHDRAWAL -$1.50 $1,497.49 02/26/2007 POS PURCHASE 5701 NW 183RD ST MIAMI FL SEQ # 705500229211 5287230030369264 -$8.99 $1,498.99 02/26/2007 MERCHANT PURCHASE FLAMINGO DONUTS PEMBROKE FL SEQ # 496300300946 5287230030369264 -$9.91 $1,507.98 02/26/2007 POS PURCHASE SOU BLOCKBUSTER VI D632 MIAMI LAK FL SEQ # 705623632472 5287230030369264 -$16.02 $1,517.89 02/26/2007 POS PURCHASE CNS TOYS R US 261 PEMBROKE FL SEQ # 705589017514 5287230030369264 -$17.29 $1,533.91 02/26/2007 MERCHANT PURCHASE SHELL OIL 27525575 703 MIRAMAR FL SEQ # 547354032286 5287230030369264 -$20.01 $1,551.20 02/26/2007 MERCHANT PURCHASE PAYPAL *EBAY INC 402 935 7 CA SEQ # 820783096700 5287230030369264 -$22.50 $1,571.21 02/26/2007 POS PURCHASE 5701 NW 183RD ST MIAMI FL SEQ # 705500231157 5287230030369264 -$31.87 $1,593.71 02/26/2007 CASH WITHDRAWAL 955 E 49TH ST HIALEAH FL SEQ # 705500007375 5287230030369264 -$302.00 $1,625.58 02/26/2007 DEPOSIT +$1,520.00 $1,927.58


Ken

Randolph,
Massachusetts,
U.S.A.
It isn't against the law

#8Consumer Comment

Tue, January 02, 2007

It is not true that all banks do this. My bank does not, it pays electronic items first, then unnumbered items (like a counter check) second, then checks in check number order last. This is no better nor any worse than any other method. The fact of the matter is that they disclose right up front how items are processed. If you follow the foolish advice to sue the bank you will find that you will not prevail because bank polices are published, and secondly because you (technically) broke law by writing checks (or debits) against insufficient funds. This doesn't mean that you should just lay back and take it. What you can do is vote with your feet. If they re not willing to rebate these fees (based on the fact that you honestly didn't know) then take your business to someone who is a little more receptive to making you happy. Generally speaking, you will always do better in this regard at a credit union. They exist for the members, and tend to be more inclined to keeping you happy. Banks won't change policies until people stand up and walk away, telling the bank that their policies are not acceptable. Even at that, the lion's share of bank income is derived from businesses and they really don't care when a personal account walks out the door. Your challenge is to find a financial institution that does care. They do exist.


Allan

Lakeland,
Florida,
U.S.A.
Take action

#9Consumer Suggestion

Tue, January 02, 2007

Paul,Joann,Bill: !. File a complaint; Ms. Amia Estes, consumer affairs analyst, office of thrift supervision, Department of the Treasury, 1475 Peachtree street, N.E.,Atlanta, Ga. 30309 2. File a law suit in small claims court. You can do it yourself for about $75. They will have to pay an Attorney $1,000 to try to keep $32. You may win, even if you lose they had to spend $1,000 3. Write to Congress about this, Bill Nelson told me congress is aware of this. They know they need to do something about it, the more mail they get the better. You would not believe how wide spread this is, some banks are out and out stealing from their customer with low balances. I'll have a book out next year about this. Allan Investigative Reporter


Eric

No,
Florida,
U.S.A.
You dont think other banks do this?

#10UPDATE EX-employee responds

Sat, June 10, 2006

Listen Paul, obviously you haven't grasp the concept of banking. If people would read the disclosures the banks provide you at account opening, you wouldn't have been so surprised of the fees. When everything cleared July 7th @ midnight, your transactions do move around. Debits will always come before credits and larger items clear first before smaller items. Every bank in the United States does it. I don't know about you, but I would rather have a mortgage payment paid any day over a large order of pizza. Good luck in life. E


Bill

Fort Pierce,
Florida,
U.S.A.
I thought it was just me

#11Consumer Comment

Thu, June 08, 2006

I have had similar problems with Bankatlantic. Of course, they always blame me. The best one is when I deposited a payroll check drawn on Bankatlantic and they put a 3 day hold on it. This caused uncollected funds service charge. Of course I call my friendly customer service department and was told that it was my fault because I didn't tell the teller it was a Bankatlantic check I was depositing. They actually refused to refund the charge. Even if you deposit it and tell them, you still get a one day hold. This makes NO sense to me. Customer service tells me to cash the check and then deposit the cash to avoid this. I try this only to be told by the teller that I can only make one transaction. I need to come back in a hour to deposit the cash. So much for "Florida's Most Convenient Bank". I have since opened an account at another bank. I don't seem to have this problem there. I would suggest you run-don't walk from this bank. There are many other banks that have free checking, so they aren't the only game in town.


Joan

Davie,
Florida,
U.S.A.
BankAtlantic questionable banking practices

#12Consumer Comment

Wed, June 07, 2006

I have had the same experience with the Jacaranda Branch of BankAtlantic in Plantation Florida. Even when cash is deposited on a Friday it is unavailble until the next week when they post it. Any charges are backdated and deposits do not get posted for days until after they are made. Online banking is available. I can printout my account showing continuous positive available balance and then I will be charged overdraft fees. I have 5 overdraft charges on my account today. I have faxed the bank my online banking showing plenty of available, and also left a message on the managers voice mail. I am waiting for a response that the $150.00 taken from my account has been put back in. This is not the first time the bank has done this. I have had the fees reversed. It seems to be a monthly/semimonthly practice. I believe that it is intentional switching of dates on deposits and charges to generate bank fees.


Joan

Davie,
Florida,
U.S.A.
BankAtlantic questionable banking practices

#13Consumer Comment

Wed, June 07, 2006

I have had the same experience with the Jacaranda Branch of BankAtlantic in Plantation Florida. Even when cash is deposited on a Friday it is unavailble until the next week when they post it. Any charges are backdated and deposits do not get posted for days until after they are made. Online banking is available. I can printout my account showing continuous positive available balance and then I will be charged overdraft fees. I have 5 overdraft charges on my account today. I have faxed the bank my online banking showing plenty of available, and also left a message on the managers voice mail. I am waiting for a response that the $150.00 taken from my account has been put back in. This is not the first time the bank has done this. I have had the fees reversed. It seems to be a monthly/semimonthly practice. I believe that it is intentional switching of dates on deposits and charges to generate bank fees.

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