US Bank lease-end fraudulent fees for "excess wear and tear."
I leased a vehicle through a local Volvo dealership, which set up the financing through US Bank. I made all payments on time for four years without incidence, but ran into a problem at lease end concerning US Bank's unilateral determination of "excess wear and tear" to the vehicle. Simply put, US Bank asserts that it alone (through its inspector) determines what constitutes "excess wear and tear" and that the lessee cannot challenge that assessment. The lease language defines "excess wear and tear" as any scratch, ding, windshield nick, etc., suggesting that any mark on the vehicle after four years of use is “excess” and not ordinary. The lease also fails to point out that US Bank interprets the lease to give itself the unilateral power to determine when such exists and how much they can charge for repairs. In my case, US Bank sent out an inspector (DataScan), who documented every minuscule scratch or ding, categorized some as "normal" and others as "excess" and applied a cost to those in the "excess" category. When I lodged my objection to the assessment, US Bank advised that the lease did not allow me to object and demanded payment or have my credit damaged. I refused to comply and they did, in fact, turn it over to collections and reported to the credit agencies that I failed to make payments on the lease. My credit has this been damaged and I am being pursued by their credit department.
I meticulously documented the condition of my vehicle before turn-in and requested an inspection by the local dealer who accepted the vehicle at lease-end. I provided both the complete documentation and the name of the individual from the dealer who performed the inspection (he determined no "excess wear and tear" to be present) to US Bank, but they ignored both. On the former, they advised that they would stand on the documentation of their inspector (all photos taken within one inch of the vehicle surface, no scratches larger than ¼”) rather than consider the complete and accurate documentation that I provided. On the dealer inspection, they advised that they had no obligation to discuss the assessment with the dealer and, in fact, cited to a clause in the lease that specifically denied the admissibility of any outside inspector’s opinion—apparently, even that of their own dealer client accepting the vehicle on their behalf. In short, US Bank has set up a situation that is patently unfair that offers no recourse to the lessee other than litigation. In essence, they have said if I don’t like it, it’s just too bad.
As I felt the problem stemmed from unfair practices on the part of US Bank, I lodged a complaint with the Arizona attorney general's office, which simply forwarded my complaint to US Bank and requested a response. US Bank, in turn, responded by saying that I refused to pay for repairs to “excess wear and tear, ” but ignored the fundamental issue of fairness and failed to advise that I was denied any opportunity to object to their unilateral assessment. Unfortunately, the attorney general's office declined to take up the matter on my behalf and advised that I seek counsel.
As the issue is one that is universal to anyone who leases from US Bank, I feel that it would be best to pursue action against US Bank as part of a class, rather than as an individual. In a quick research on the web, I found numerous complaints from others who have had the exact same problem with US Bank at vehicle lease-end (Google “US Bank vehicle lease dispute” or similar query). I have leased numerous vehicles prior to this one and have never had a problem with any other lessor. In my opinion, US Bank is using the power of their position and their ability to damage one’s credit to bully borrowers into making substantial additional lease-end payments. There is no question that this is a widespread practice that is fraudulent, unfair, and nets US Bank many millions of dollars each year in undue profits. While I first and foremost want the matter over, I would like to see US Bank held accountable for their actions. Many others have been forced to pay or be harassed. I want to put a stop to it.
If there are any attorneys who would like to learn more about the issue in order to consider taking up the matter, or if others reading this have had a similar experience with US Bank, please contact me at [email protected]. As an individual, we are limited in our actions against a banking behemoth; together, we can stand strong and bring accountability and fairness to past and future lessees who find themselves in the unfortunate position of having signed a vehicle lease with US Bank.

DO NOT USE US BANK! They are experts at taking your hard-earned money, and once they get it, try to get it back! I don't think so!

I signed up for "overdraft protection" after a fiasco overdraft occurrence. They offered this "protection" saying I wouldn't have to worry about overdrafts/fees if I did this (I attached my savings account to my debit card). I then noticed whenever the "overdraft protection" kicked in, I was being charged a fee. It was never the same, so I sent an email inquiry through their website. Here is the answer I got back:


Thank you for using U.S. Bank's email service.

I apologize for the confusion.

When you have a savings or checking account attached for overdraft protection, there is a $5.00 charge per item that overdraws the checking account each time overdraft protection advances occur. For example, if you have two items presented for payment on the same day that exceed your available balance in the checking account, the fee would be $10.00 to cover the two items. The fee is deducted from the checking account. Advances are processed in increments of $200.00, or up to your available balance in the savings or checking account.

$5.00 PER ITEM? To use my own money?

You're outa here, US BANK.

As a long time customer, I had signed up years ago for a fixed rate card, never missing payment. They jacked up my rate and jacked up the interest rate.
I would NEVER recommend this bank to anyone! They play around with your mortgage (fixed) rate too!...They are not your friend, nor do they care about long time excellent standing customers, so run as far away from this bank! Because they will use small print and government rules to screw you!

I had opened a small savings account to secure a more favorable price for safety deposit box rental. Probably should mention that I also had a checking account at this bank for approximately 30 years. Great bank when it was local but after a mind numbing rush of name changes it had devolved to US Bank. And, it was right around that time that the turnover of bank employees started to see a significant increase. And, today, it's probably not at light speed but it seems to be getting closer ... Not without reason I'm sure!

So, I finally figured that it was finally time to deal with a truly local bank. Did so, set up a savings account, got a lock box (considerably lower rate) and transferred my savings to the new bank. MINUS, however, the $55 box rental that was deducted from my account LESS THAN 24 hours before canceling the account. Upon asking about a refund I found there to be no one in the bank that could make a $55 decision. Got a call about two hours later and was told "It's not our policy" to make a refund and there was nothing that could be done about it.

Bottom line? I got down on my knees and gave thanks that I don't have to work for a company like that!

Never have I seen such poor customer service and mismanagement! USBank, unfortunately, holds the lease to some restaurant equipment we leased a few years ago.

This past spring, my husband and I decided to pay off the lease and be rid of this shady company. It is now September, and because they have so grossly underserved us and mismanaged our account, we are STILL trying to get them out of our lives!

At various times, they have refused to give us information about our account, refused to show where Property & Sales Taxes have been paid, refused to even communicate with me.

From what I have been able to glean, they have:
(1) Used the wrong address for our business.
(2) Overcharged us for Property Taxes.
(3) Refused to send statements to our accountant for the property taxes we paid!
(4) GROSSLY overcharged us for Sales Taxes.
(5) No concept of what TAX-EXEMPT means.
(6) Sent Property & Sales taxes to the WRONG CITY & COUNTY!
(7) Told me they would "only speak to my attorney."

Gee. I thought I was the one who would decide when to enlist an attorney. What's so horrible about transparency? uh. Unless you have something to hide?

One would think that if you are in the leasing business to small businesses, you would be knowledgeable about what equipment is tax-exempt and what equipment is taxable to the business. Oh. And you would know the difference between being tax-exempt and paying sales tax on sold goods.

If it's not too late, avoid them at all costs.