Tuesday, November 16, 2010 - 6:21 AM

Bank Of The Sierra Are Thieves.

(1 stars)

I have had an account at this bank for less than 3 months. The one and only check I wrote bounced because someone can't tell the difference between $60.00 and $600.03. They charged me a $29.00 NSF fee and when I went to the bank with proof that the check was for sixty dollars and not six hundred they determined that it wasn't their fault and refused to reverse the charges. I have been told that the company I wrote the check to was responsible for repayment of the $29.00 NSF fee. The other company in question is my sisters bank and they have already alerted their fraud department and I hope to get this resolved soon because my sister is missing $600.00 from her account not to mention all the bounced fees she has incured over this fiasco. Their online banking is the worst I have ever had any dealing with. It takes forever to log in and then the website kicks you out when you least expecting it and now after complaining to them about this mess I suddenly can't log in to thier website at all. the website just keeps telling me to call the bank. Do not for any reason open an account at this bank.

denise1 posts since
Nov 16, 2010
Rep Points: 2

1. Tuesday, November 16, 2010 - 8:30 AM

Sorry to hear that. All banks are seemingly "good" banks but the real test comes when there are issues like that. Some comments and suggestions:

1. How can a check be confused with both the amount in number as well as in writing (for the sole purpose of preventling errors like this)? If it indeed is their error, you have a case.

2. Do not talk to those CSRs who are clueless most of the time. Just bring it to higher management (e.g., President of Bank of Sierra) and let the Executive Office to handle it.

3. They may be correct that the receiving party was at fault. You have to ascertain the guilty party before you launch the complaint.

4. You may nicely explian to BotS your situation and request a first-time courtesy to waive any fees.

Thanks for your note that alerting us this bank is not that personal when things happen.

51hh623 posts since
Jan 16, 2010
Rep Points: 3,066

2. Tuesday, November 16, 2010 - 10:14 AM

Why do they say it is not their fault? Are they saying that the check was sent through changed to read $600.03? I can't see any other reason why it is not their fault. But even still, while the number might be easy to change, the handwritten amount would not be.

Yes, take it to the CEO. It is a small bank and he should be more accessible.

me1004235 posts since
Jan 16, 2010
Rep Points: 1,430