[nana911]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

I actually think this it is illegal for the bank to refuse the refund. Certainly it is extremely poor service.

Did this company somehow get your PIN? Or both your account and routing #? Simply having your debit card # or account # is not sufficient grounds for your bank to deny you a refund or require you to open a new account. The only time I know you have to open a new account is if someone steals checks from you.

My debit card was stolen several years ago, and fraudulent charges were made on my account. I got them refunded without a problem.

I would go to the police and have them take a statement. Then I would call up Customer Service, and go as high as you need to go until they will refund your money. Be nice, but don't stop until you get your money back. Write a letter to the president of the bank if you have to -- it works!

Also notify the Better Business Bureau that this company has defrauded you. Ask the police if you can take action against them. Any reputatable business should reverse the charges if the customer disputes them(assuming services/goods were not actually exchanged).

Banking information is stolen SO OFTEN these days, the SOP is extremely well established, and you should not have a problem getting your money back as long as you provide a copy of the police report. Many other banks would be happy to handle your money for you.

Even a debit card that acts as a credit card has a number associated with it that is not your account #. Your bank should be able to issue you a new card with a different #, just like if your American Express were stolen.

If you do end up getting another card / account with this bank, be careful that they don't automatically route charges from this company to your new account! Several months after I had my card stolen, I saw charges *to the stolen number* listed on my bank statement! I called up the bank and they said that since the payment stream had been set up under my original number, they automatically moved payment requests to my new number! But they refunded that money as well.

Also as mentioned, contact the credit bureaus and have them put a fraud alert on your account.

It was her checking account via her routing number and account number that was compromised, none of her cards.