I had a recent experience I would like to relate to THE ENTIRE WORLD, but I will start with you guys, here.
Subject: auto debit.
when you hook up with a service that enables auto debit, and asks for a voided check to verify your routing number, . Think twice, or at THE VERY LEAST educate yourself right here.
Once you authorize "them" to auto debit from your checking account, That door remains open. Unless your account enables you to STOP auto debit, which you MUST remember to do before you close your account. AND insist on something in writing. I had an account with Suntrust merchant service, and the fees were withdrawn from my account monthly. Suntrust has behaved VERY POORLY, and refuses to give me a written proof that I have closed my account.So, I am unable to prove to anyone, that my account is closed. AND, no way to prevent them from hitting me (obviously in error!) any time they wish .
The (my) bank tells me there is NO WAY, ( I am serious, no way) to stop the auto debit feature. my only option is to close my bank account and start over. Then I will lose my billpay and account history, and have to start over.
I am told, that if you must authorize an auto debit, that I should have used a bank debit or check card, which is easily killed and replaced, without changing your bank account number. Of course, Suntrust did not offer that option, did they?
I have spent days on the phone with Suntrust, and quite a while on the phone with my bank. I am told that I should make an appointment with my branch manager, and have a request sent to the corporate office to allow account holder to STOP auto debits from being processed. I will, for whatever good that will do, but it certainly is a security issue. One of my girls just got popped for an $80 fee for "security metrics" almost one year after closing her account. We got the charge reversed, but it took a month!
I repeat, DO NOT offer a voided check for any "auto debit", use your ATM, or Debit CARD!!!!. This aint no joke, I know what I am talking about, even though you are saying "no way!"
4 comments:
I know you aren't kidding about this. I believe you.
I use a credit card for these types of things. If it has auto-renewal as my only option then I won't even sign up. Even with a credit card. As for ATM cards we don't use them either. Even the ATMs at the bank have been tampered with and the thieves steal you blind. We go into the bank if we need cash. I hate thieves.
Have a terrific day. :)
I use ING Direct for most of my automated bill-pays. I have always been nervous about doing it through the actual company. ING is great, they have free bill-pay, and if the payee won't take electronic payment, they send a paper check (also free). It's a subtle difference, but better to tell your bank to send money, than to allow a company to access your account. Your bank works for you, the other company does not.
Sandee, I dont use ATM/debit cards either, I know the risks there, but I had no idea this could happen, and I am damn sure going to try and do something about it!
i don't do any auto-debits. i just want to do my own deducting...when i'm ready to do it!
but i don't understand WHY you can't change the WAY you pay your bills through this company. you SHOULD be able to change that! what's going on???????
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