Have you ever experienced a catastrophic techinical failure at a bank machine?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (220478)
Walnut Creek, California
February 26, 2021 8:51pm CST
This evening, it was my intent to deposit several thousand dollars I have earned at a Bank of America Versatel machine in my neighborhood.
My depost would cover my rent, which is due in a few days, and would give me some "cushion" over the next month, as I work hard and am paid not very much.
The machine froze as I was doing my transaction, took some of my cash, did not return my card, and left me with not enough in my account to pay my rent for March.
To my relief, I saw, when I got home, that Bank of America's Customer Service was available until Midnight tonight.
I called Customer Service and was stonewalled, no matter what number I punched on my phone. There was no way to leave a message.
So now I have no way to pay my rent, no way to get cash if I need it, and no way to contact Bank of America.
I realize that I have only a few hundred thousand dollars at Bank of America, and as such am not of high priority to them.
But should the stress induced by their failure cause me increases in evening cortisol levels, illness, or death, what recourse do I have?
Have you ever experienced a catastrophic breakdown in a bank machine? If you're American, what bank would you recommend if I abandon Bank of America?
27 people like this
28 responses
@AngelisaQT (1353)
• United States
27 Feb 21
Jeez, that's awful!
I've never experienced this, but if so, I would be flipping out for sure!
Wells Fargo seems to be pretty good from what I hear, I don't know first hand though because I am with Bank of America.
5 people like this
@TheHorse (220478)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 Feb 21
@AngelisaQT I am looking into Wells Fargo.
3 people like this
@AngelisaQT (1353)
• United States
27 Feb 21
@TheHorse I have never had an issue with them and neither has my boyfriend who has banked with them for 10+ years.
4 people like this
@xander6464 (44450)
• Wapello, Iowa
27 Feb 21
I use a credit union. Like @rebelann, I find them more reliable and less prone to making life miserable through "mistakes" that usually only inconvenience the customer than banks.
I've never experienced a catastrophic breakdown in a bank machine but one time, in Philadelphia, I went to use my favorite ATM and found that I couldn't because it was roped off with Crime Scene tape. I later found out that about an hour earlier, two men had been mugged right in front of it after making a withdrawal and two plainclothes policemen had walked up during the mugging. A gunfight ensued, killing one of the muggers and one of the officers.
Luckily, there was more than one ATM in downtown Philadelphia...but it was still sad because I had to walk about half a block out of my way to find one.
4 people like this
@vandana7 (100645)
• India
27 Feb 21
@TheHorse Pony ji..here is what I got using my little sis' zipcode...she is in Houston/Richmond Tx.
Q. "How can I contact BoFa through email?
Sign in to Online Banking and select the Contact us link in the Help & Support menu, then choose the topic you would like to discuss. The best ways to contact us will be displayed depending on the topic chosen.
If email agents are available for the topic you selected, you’ll see Email us as the last contact option listed on the page. Within 2-4 business days after sending us a message, you’ll receive an alert to inform you that our response is available in your Online Banking Message Center.
Since email is not available for most topics, we suggest that you contact us by phone, by making an appointment, by visiting us at a financial center or by reaching out on our Facebook page layer (select the Get Help link) or on Twitter @BofA_Help layer. You can also write to us at:"
3 people like this
@xander6464 (44450)
• Wapello, Iowa
27 Feb 21
@TheHorse I don't think you're "over the top." But I don't know if that will matter any, because drive-by shooters and other murderers usually aren't the types to honor requests.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (220478)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 Feb 21
@xander6464 I just find them to be very inconsiderate.
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (108478)
• Marion, Ohio
27 Feb 21
I never use them as I know that is what would happen to me.
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (108478)
• Marion, Ohio
27 Feb 21
@TheHorse They would steal my money and card.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (220478)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 Feb 21
@wolfgirl569 I will do what I can to get my money and my (good) reputation back.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (80925)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Feb 21
That kind of thing would send my anxiety off like a rocket and cause me great distress, Thank heavens that had not happened to me while I have been here in Florida but then I have not used an ATM ever, I do my banking online and when I have had to deal with the bank I have gone there. I hope this can all be straightened out for you. I bank with Wells Fargo.
3 people like this
@vandana7 (100645)
• India
28 Feb 21
@TheHorse Somebody got in touch with you to address your issue? Do not, I still repeat, do not part with every detail, until you have established their credentials.
Take a friend along to meet that person physically, get their pictures, and conversation recorded. If possible even their driving license or bank Identity card.
Let the friend send it back to you in email, so that if the person is not genuine, you would be to do something about it.
@kaylachan (72035)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Feb 21
I have not been a fan of Bank of America for the longest. When I opened my first bank account, the only reason I used Bank of America, is because they had a branch from my parents' home that I could wheel myself to if I needed to. Back then I didn't have smart technology so a lot I did over the phone or through an in-person visit.
I'd continued to use them for a few years after I moved to the city where I live now. And abandoned them after they claimed I owed them roughly 800 in fees for purchases that overdrew my account. Many of which I did not make, or subscriptions I had canceled with the understanding nothing more would be drafted from my account.
I now use Suntrust and so does my husband. We've made friends with some of the employees, and I've had no issues with them. I still can't use bank machines by myself, though. But, that's due to the fact bank machines aren't completely accessible for me. so.... yeah.
Can you pay a small fee and use the remaining cash to pay your rent in-person at the office this month until you get the bank issue resolved?
2 people like this
@kaylachan (72035)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Feb 21
Oh, I understand. I am sorry. I meant, is it possible for you to use your remaining cash to get a money order to pay the rent? @TheHorse
3 people like this
@TheHorse (220478)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 Feb 21
@kaylachan I do not know. I could not contact anyone.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61101)
• United States
27 Feb 21
Yes I did and I ended up contacting my state banking commissioner. I got my money back in my account.
And in Germany the bank machine stole my debit card and I never could get it back but that is another story. Rather ruined my vacation
I use a credit union and a local bank I have never had any issue with Santander or Chase. We had a mortgage on our cottage with Santander and I have a checkbook with them. Only credit card at chase.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61101)
• United States
27 Feb 21
@TheHorse you will need to wait til they empty that atm I suspect. The fact it won’t balance is in your favor. It took a few days to resolve mine.
Luckily I was on vacation with friends. I would pay for our meals with a credit card and they paid me in local currency. It worked.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61101)
• United States
27 Feb 21
@TheHorse yes I just got back my money which in my case was100 but it sure went quicker once I called the bank commissioner.
2 people like this
@noni1959 (10113)
• United States
27 Feb 21
I have two credit unions. One has a 24 hour call service and the other until 11 pm. Navy Federal is my 24 hr. I don't know if you have family or friends who can recommend you to get in but it's a good bank to try. My other is an Oregon bank I use for a small amount of money for my daughter to get things for me when I can't. That would be so hard to deal with. I hope you can get it settled tomorrow. Contact your landlord and let him/her know what happened.
2 people like this
@spiderdust (14760)
• San Jose, California
27 Feb 21
Oh, no! How horribly frustrating!
I use a local credit union. I do hope you're able to get some answers from B of A in the morning. Even though it's a Saturday, a branch should be open for a few hours with some actual people working inside.
2 people like this
@Butterfingers (66583)
• India
27 Feb 21
Yes many times but things get better in 3-4 working days, I hope they will credit your account soon
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (182478)
• United States
27 Feb 21
That is why I don't use those bank machines for important deposits for fear of such a catasrtophe. Hopefully, it will all be straightened out by the time the rent is due!
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (220478)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 Feb 21
I think it will over time. But I have a several thousand dollar check from my money manager that I can't deposit because the machine stole my card. (I probably could if I went INTO the bank, but I'm trying to social distance.) I won't really wind up "on the streets," but I'm ticked off that things can't just go smoothly. This is the first catastrophic failure I've experienced at a bank machine.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (104404)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
27 Feb 21
I have never encountered problems with a bank machine.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (104404)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
27 Feb 21
@TheHorse I do not blame you for being upset at all. I would feel the same way if it happened to me.
@LindaOHio (182343)
• United States
27 Feb 21
I don't think a lot of Bank of America. You are a valued customer whether you have hundreds of thousands or one thousand dollars you should be treated the same. They should have someone in customer service available at all times. I've never used a bank machine and never would. I prefer a teller. I hope you get this all squared away.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
27 Feb 21
i am so sorry pal. They should make that right when they see the failed transaction. I have better luck actually calling the branch in question than the automated help lines.
I like BOA, but have used Chase and Wells Fargo in the past. I would say they are all three about the same.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
28 Feb 21
@TheHorse it is the sad reality, we don't have the money to get personalized service!
