Washinton Mutual

Washinton Mutual

This complaint is in regards to Washington Mutual. I have had several problems with them from a couple of different states.

My first experience was in San Diego, CA. I had a WAMU account for only a week when they "held" my checks and caused over $300 in NSF charges resulting in my account to be closed. I could not open another bank account with ANY bank until those charges were paid off. I took a money order in to the branch location on my lunch hour to pay off my debt only to be turned away because they would not accept my money order.

Their excuse was that I could cancel the money order and the account would not be paid. I had to try to find someone that would now cash my money order so I could give them cash. I spent 2 hours trying to accomplish this and give them their money. As I was doing this, I called the 1-800 number to let them know how ridiculous all of this was only to be told by them that the branch should have accepted my money order. Nevertheless, my money order was not accepted, I did find cash and rid myself of WAMU. I was prevented from opening another WAMU account for a year. That was not a problem at all because I found a great bank (US Bank in La Jolla) that I truly enjoyed working with and even kept my account open for an entire year after I left the state.

My next experience was when I move to Austin, TX. The branch managers were really nice and helpful when we opened our account, but after a change in staff you might as well have been talking to the ATM. While in the process of changing my name, all of my bank cards had to be reordered. I was told 7-10 business days to receive both cards and pins ( I had two accounts). I did not receive my cards by the 10th day so I called the 1-800 to see where they were. I found that the branch never ordered my cards.

They had to re-order my cards. I received one card and pin on the 5th day after my call, but not the other card. Fearful that my card was never ordered AGAIN, I called the 1-800 in the afternoon of the 9th day. I was told by the gentleman that it takes 7-10 business days to receive and I should receive them shortly. I informed him that it was 4pm on the 9th day and I have not received card or pin and they usually do not come the same day. I insisted that he check the status in his computer to see when they were ordered or sent out. Upon checking, he said the second card was never ordered! I am now 20 days without my bank card and have to wait another 7-10 business days for the second one to arrive! This time it finally arrived.

A third reason to not go to WAMU, was when I was locked out of my on-line banking for no known reason. I called to see why and they told me someone else may have been trying to get into my account. They would have to unlock my account, change my password and could not get into my account until the following day (Sunday).

A fourth reason was the inquiry that happens when a charge is disputed. I won't elaborate on this one. It is similar to a previous complaint. They start the process. I called to cancel. They told me not to sign or send in the form that would be arriving in 5-10 days and it would automatically be canceled. It was never canceled. I received letters from a third party that was conducting the investigation. It stated that the investigation would be canceled in 10 days if I did not reply. It was never canceled. I received a second letter from the investigation company.

I finally called them to tell them to cancel it. They finally ended the investigation a month later. All together it took two months to end the investigation. Hind side is 20/20. This could be good if it was a serious charge, but to never know when the investigation is going to end and the money be taken back out of your account and keep your husband from spending the extra money between that time is a nightmare.

The final reason that caused me to never ever ever go back was when I had to call four times to have my savings account linked to checking account. My husband had to call twice for the same reason. We were being charged $3 for every transaction over our 3 per month, yet we could not use their preferred method after 3 transactions at an ATM! You may be asking why I stayed so long. I didn't want the hassle of changing all my direct deposits, auto withdraws, new checks and cards.... But the hassle is worth it if I never have to deal with WA MU again.

Juli T

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