Bank Question? I Got Screwed Over

[Albis]

overdraft is in every bank acct i've had. i usually don't even think about it b/c i like to keep a credit card on hand for emergencies

 

[Indolent]

what's the benefit of having a joint account with your girlfriend?

 

[EvilPaper]

You can refer to the right of offset section of your account agreement with your bank. Its with that packet of information that no one reads, but everyone signs the signature card saying they did. It means just what it says -- they can use funds from one account you have, to offset an obligation on a different account you have.

 

[tami]

always check online to see if the check clears, especially if it's a large sum of money...

 

[kranky]

Did the bank try to contact you when the check bounced? You said it was a week later when they closed the account and took the funds from the personal account. I'm surprised they didn't call or send you a notice as soon as the joint balance went negative.

Probably the reason they did it is a week had gone by and you didn't clear up the overdraft.