I highly recommend you find another bank. A credit Union is many places are better than national banks.
Posted on 08/07/2010 1:00:36 PM PDT by nina0113
I tried to log on to Bank of America online banking earlier today and could not - my login that it was supposed to remember was gone.
I worked my way through the help system and it told me I needed to call the 800 number. When I called, and fought my way through the phone tree to an actual human, she told me that I did not HAVE online banking and that their computer records showed that I never had had it, and therefore she could not provide me with my access code.
I have been using online banking for six or seven years.
After getting off the phone with her, and having hysterics for a few minutes, I called back and got another person who told me the online banking system had been up and down all day but was currently up, and she did give me my access code.
What would have happened if the WHOLE system had gone down? What if their computer showed that not only did I not have online banking, I didn't even have an account?
I only had about 8 bucks in my wallet. I just got back from changing that.
I think a reasonable amount of cash to keep on-hand is a month's worth - bills, mortgage, gas, food. I can't afford to just DO that, but I'm going to work up to it as fast as I can.
After that, you may feel relief.
Everyone needs to have several weeks’ worth (at the least) of cash at home, for many reasons, not just an individual bank’s ‘systems.’
I highly recommend you find another bank. A credit Union is many places are better than national banks.
I would consider 6 months of food so you don't have to worry about using cash ( you may not be able to buy food in some circumstances) and keep your vehicle full of gas. When it hits 3/4 tank, fill it back up and keep at least two empty 5 gallon gas containers available for use if needed.
Don't like what's happening on line??
Don't use it. Write a check..The old way still works and a stamps are cheap.
Get debt free as quickly as you can, it is a blessed freedom event, I am serious. I was broke after my divorce in 1996 and had THOUSANDS of debt. I paid all of it off plus my Mortgage, it was a weight lifted off of me. I actually had to do Tax Planning until my retirement.
Everyone should maintain money accounts in two different institutions. The banks do have computer problems which take their machines offline for several hours at a time.
Furthermore, I keep investment accounts at two different brokers. One whose headquarters is in Boston and the other in San Francisco. In the case that there is a major disaster, at least half of my funds should be available.
Finally, keep some paper backup. If you get all of your account statements via email. Print summaries at least once every few months.
I have set up and tested disaster recovery systems for several European banks and government agencies. During one test we took the bank’s ATM’s in the French Antilles offline unannounced in the middle of their night so we could complete a disaster recovery test.
Please close ALL accounts with the large banks and start using local credit unions or home town banks. Your actions will help thwart the attempt by the "too big to fail" to take over our independent banking system.
Don’t keep all your cash in one place in your house.
I’ve got longterm storage food. I just have a temporary cash flow issue, so I was going to check my bank balance before I went errand-running today. I am going to do better on keeping gas in the cars - I’ve been refilling at half.
I have 3 savings accounts, for different things I’m saving up for. I’m adding a 4th - I’m calling it the “Under the Mattress” account.
By the way, it's noted on their account for verification that they have Polish accents. The bank claims Nigerians stole his money. Nigerians have Polish accents?
Your first mistake is to go the online banking route in the first place. My wife and I have both done just fine visiting a branch every now and then if needed.
Use multiple institutions spread across differing sectors such as credit, banking, investments or brokerages, etc.
We now understand why those that lived through the depression kept their money in the mattress
Good idea. Another good idea, dump BofA and find a good local bank or credit union that actually cares about it’s customers. BofA has had the worst customer service of any organization I have ever dealt with for as long as I can remember. About 30 years ago I deposited a money order into my account and was credited for it. When I tried to withdrawal the money, I was told the funds were not available because I didn’t sign it. OK, give it back to me, and I’ll sign it. They told me I could put a request to have the money order returned, which I did. After several weeks of waiting and inquiring about I was told it couldn’t be located, too bad. Needless to say I’ve never done business with BofA since.
Come payday, I'll be opening another one at a local bank. I have to keep some relationship with BoA because they're the only bank that's local to my job, my parking place, and my home, but I'll be cutting way back on the business I do with them.
Do you really think BoA employees can tell the difference?
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