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SMALL CLAIMS COURT A "GREAT LEVELER" FOR
CONSUMERS
May 07, 2008 - If you've ever felt unjustly hit by bank fees, you may find Karney Hatch's
documentary interesting.
The film, called "Overdrawn" and still seeking distribution, sheds a critical light on fees that
banks charge, including so-called courtesy overdraft fines. (With courtesy overdrafts, the bank
honors payments that exceed your account balance—for an average $30 fee.)
As an experiment, Hatch opens a Wells Fargo checking account and overdraws on it through
a number of small purchases one Saturday at the mall.
Arguing that he never signed up for the "courtesy" of overspending, especially for such small
discretionary items, Hatch tries to get the fees waived by calling Wells Fargo's toll-free number.
No dice. So he does something suggested to him during an interview in the film: Hatch files a
lawsuit in small claims court.
One week after submitting his claim, Wells Fargo calls to say that the overdraft fees will be
waived. Not only that, the bank will cover the $47.50 Hatch paid in court fees.
"They get a million complaints a day from people calling the 800-number line," Hatch said in a
phone interview. "Small claims court tends to get their attention."
Here are some things to know about going to small claims court:
Click the red link above to continue the story.
Source: chicagotribune.com
CONSUMERS
May 07, 2008 - If you've ever felt unjustly hit by bank fees, you may find Karney Hatch's
documentary interesting.
The film, called "Overdrawn" and still seeking distribution, sheds a critical light on fees that
banks charge, including so-called courtesy overdraft fines. (With courtesy overdrafts, the bank
honors payments that exceed your account balance—for an average $30 fee.)
As an experiment, Hatch opens a Wells Fargo checking account and overdraws on it through
a number of small purchases one Saturday at the mall.
Arguing that he never signed up for the "courtesy" of overspending, especially for such small
discretionary items, Hatch tries to get the fees waived by calling Wells Fargo's toll-free number.
No dice. So he does something suggested to him during an interview in the film: Hatch files a
lawsuit in small claims court.
One week after submitting his claim, Wells Fargo calls to say that the overdraft fees will be
waived. Not only that, the bank will cover the $47.50 Hatch paid in court fees.
"They get a million complaints a day from people calling the 800-number line," Hatch said in a
phone interview. "Small claims court tends to get their attention."
Here are some things to know about going to small claims court:
Click the red link above to continue the story.
Source: chicagotribune.com
