Bank couldnt put a hard hold on my account

You must be firm with them. Please read this thread:

http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/paydayloan/close-account.html

It has some info on closing your account due to pdl's.

You have to be firm. Go in person to your branch and talk to the manager. They can do holds, or freezes. Or they can do deposit only.

I have read the info on closing the accout. Should I bring anything when I go in and talk to them

It may be a good idea to type up some letters to your pdl's revoking authorization to debit your account. All this has to say is:

"I revoke any and all authorization I gave you to debit any account I may have."

Type up one for each pdl, send them off, then take copies with you to the bank. You can show them these letters for proof that you have revoked authorization.

Another thing that may help is printing off some of the threads from this site about pdl's hitting peoples accounts without permission. Then you can show your bank that you are attempting to prevent any fraudulant activity on your account. Stress the words fraudulant activity.

Here's another sample letter on revoking the debit by the pdl company.

http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/forums/wageassign-legal.html

Do you have any past dues with the bank, because of which they are not closing your previous account? If so, you may insist on settling the balance.

As of now my account is in good standing

Then there is no reason why they shouldn't help you!

If they still insist there is nothing they can do, ask them this:

What do you do when you find out a customer has been abusing their account?

The answer - They freeze it! If they can do it when it benefits just the bank, then they can do it when it benefits both the bank and the customer.

As of now my account is in good standing.

cari, listen to goudah. Some banks are soooo totally stupid. They CAN put a block on your account. It takes them a total of 2 minutes to do it. If you don't want to totally close it out for fear of it being "forced open" by pdl debits, then, by God, tell them to put a hard debit block on it/deposit only status. They CAN do this. Do not speak with a customer service person. Go to the bank, talk to the branch manager only. Tell him/her that illegal companies are taking unauthorized debits from your account. Stress the fact that these are fraudulent charges. Stress that they are unauthorized. Hell, tell them you're working with an attorney regarding these illegal companies. I did. I think it kicked them into gear a little bit more. Your account is in good standing right now. They can do this for you. All you have to do is take copies of the letters in, tell them you're working with an attorney, these are unauthorized debits by illegal companies - and they should put that block on. Banks KILL me sometimes! Because, as goudah stated, yes they CAN do this. I got it done!

Take it from a banker....if you tell the branch manager IN PERSON that you have been a vicitim of a scam, and you need to be sure that this account, once it's closed, will not allow any more transactions to post to the account, whether paid or returned by the bank, they will freeze the account. You really need to be upfront with them and tell them that these companies taking money out of the account are doing so without your authorization. That is why you are closing the account. Believe me, at the bank, we have heard everything and seen everything. If you even, God forbid, tell them the truth about being in over your head with payday loans, the branch manager probably won't even bat an eye at that. We HATE payday lenders becuase of the mess it puts us and our customers into. I work at one of those banks that does NOT support ANY type of payday lending. We actually refuse to open accounts for any business associated with a payday lending operation. By the way....what bank do you belong to?

swedishgirl! You are awesome! :D

I belong to bank of america

Yay for WaMu!

WAMU is fantastic:)

ladybug

Hey...this is swedishchick. I logged in, but it keeps bumping me back to guest. Hmm....it's a consipracy!Big Brother is watching me! Anyway...thanks you guys. WaMu does rock. No bias there, huh? With banking stuff, I mean it. Be honest with your branch manager, and they will be more than happy to help you out. We really do see lots of weird situations, and we hear it all. But, people, please use your common sense. If you own up to your mistakes, and are genuine, we will work with you. Free checking rules! LOL... :lol:

oh...B of A....yeah...well, stay on top of them. THey are known to not keep accounts completely closed. Do NOT rely on their 800# to be accurate with their info. You really need to talk to a manager at the branch. And see if they can get you what they tell you in writing. That will give you amunition if they screw up.