I closed a checking account at fifth third bank and open another one, because i had filed a chapter 13 and gave creditors my account number so fifth third bank let them debit my checking for 2 months and charge me overdraft fees they said they could reinverse me my money . I have file complaint with BBB and Indiana attorney general. I will also filed other complaints they must be in with these creditors.

Charged us overdraft fees on closed account.

In my opinion, Fifth Third Bank 'stole' over $1, 000.00 from me. How they did it was to compile over ten transactions that took place over a period of five days and post them all on one day. I am not 100% innocent in this as I did go into negative balance. However, there were only five transactions that occurred while the account was overdrawn. I explained to the bank that I would pay for those five trans., but not for the remaining six as I had money in my account to cover them. They tried to justify their dishonesty by telling me that they were not responsible for when transactions posted (although all trans. were made by debit cards and are taken directly out of the account).

I just can't believe how these corrupt banking officials can twist their policies to fill their own pockets while basically screwing over their customers.

Apparently I am not the first Fifth Third customer who was taken advantage of as I have found over 400 others with similar situations. If we need to file a class action suit against these thieves - count me in. I, for one, will fight these crooks for as long as it takes until I achieve my goals - Honesty and Integrity (not to mention MY money).

I advise anyone considering using Fifth Third Merchant Services for Procesing their credit card charges to reconsider. I handle all the banking/accounting for my non-profit employers. Since 2001 I have used 5/3 for credit card processing, and though I was lured in by promises of no reprogramming fees, no annual fees, no service fee, no statement fees, the reality is since then I have seen all of those and more.

Apparently, in their contract buried somewhere in fine print is a clause which says they have the right to change their fees at anytime, but apparently you don't have the right to cancel it should the fees increase, without yet again accruing another fee! Case in point, last year an annual fee of $45 was taken from my bank account (without my authorization). I was told we received notice in last month's statement that annual fees would start being charged. After speaking to and getting authorization to have the fee waived, two days later they call back and say it's not possible to waive it. Not two months later a $5 per month fee starts being withdrawn as well. When I inquire about it, it's a "monthly dial up fee" so that my terminal can call into the center. (I didn't get any statement message about that one). Within two months we were charged another $40 to "reprogram" the machine--still incurring those monthly dial up fees. I get another letter two months later wanting to "upgrade" the program but will have to pay $50 to do so. Since I had just paid the $40 to do that earlier, I want an explanation of what exactly is being upgraded. No one could tell me. After attempting on five separate occassions to get fees removed (at least partially) I gave up and unplugged the machine, called & wrote to them to cancel and didn't run any charges for a month. (By they way, we own this machine not rent). Yesterday January 2009, I get the bank statements and $55 has been removed for an annual fee by Fifth Third. I cancelled their services in writing in November 2008! Called today, and their response is it is legit because they bill in arrears. Since I used their services at all in 2008 I would have paid it regardless of when I canceled. Then she adds, well at least we didn't charge you the normal cancellation fee. Since I never agreed to any of the fees to begin with, we already spent $200 in un-budgeted "credit card processing fees" (without merchant fees) of hard to come by funds.

If they wanted to keep our business they would have reversed the charges for at least one of the three non-budgeted items as a courtesy. One would think in today's economy keeping customers is important. I was promised in 2007 I would see a new contract which outlined these fees but never received it. Should you be in the market for merchant services, be sure that promises not only be in writing as mine were (in a cover correspondence) but also attached or written on the actual contract, and that it states specific dates that they will be waived. Though I was diligent in following through, in the end their help line is geared to educate you about their fees and services, not really to service the customer. Good luck if you are in the market for credit card processing, and please take the time necessary to calculate all the little fees that will be in play. If you already have low price (as we do), if a charge card is used you might consider passing on fees to your consumers so they will pay by cash or check in the future. Most people don't realize that is costs the merchant money for them to use credit cards. Yes, it's convenient for the buyers, but if it only drives costs up perhaps people will start rethinking how they pay for their purchases.

Fifth Third Bank is not the only bank that is practicing this scam and fradulent activity. In 2008 I have been hit with nsf fees totaling close to $5000.00. I will have money in the account, and it is usually sufficient enough to cover all of the transactions that post to my account, however, the bank will still take out nsf fees on every single transaction that occurred. How is this possible? If there is money in the account it should be treated as if it were a simple debit/credit such as actually balancing a check book. The banks do not use this method. They find every reason to make your account go negative and will only remove one fee per year. Do not be fooled and think they are removing the fee out of the kindness of their hearts.

I work with several people who also bank with 5/3 and they actually closed her checking account because it had been negative for 6 days, and instead of telling her it was closed they allowed her to deposit money into a closed account, and no one can tell her where her deposit went. The banks are set up to keep stealing and stealing from the poor. DO NOT EVER BANK WITH FIFTH THIRD. I am planning to remove my money soon and try my luck with a smaller community bank, at least they wont enjoy robbing me blind.