"Beware"
Washington Mutual Visa Platinum® Review
Written by: jai on 2008-07-21
Overall Satisfaction
Customer Service
Rewards
Account Management
Delivery Time
jai's review: 
I have had this card for 2 months. I received a preapproval in the mail. I went on line to make a payment from my saving account, and I called to make sure that a saving account would be acceptable. The representative told me that it was fine as long as a had the routing number and account number. Much to my surprise when I looked online at my account the payment was returned. I talked to 6 different representatives, and 2 supervisor, and I was assured that the payment was ok. A couple of days later, I received a letter that stated my payment was returned. I called wamu again, and was told that they would rerun the payment after I called the bank to get a separate routing number for a saving account. I spoke to my bank and was told that there was no separate rounting number for a saving account. I called wamu again, and finally was told that I could not use a saving account. Finally I used a checking account and the payment went through.
Much to my surprise, I view my accoount today and saw that my account was closed by wamu. I called again spoke to two different reps before finally getting to a senior accounts rep. I was told that due to so many check returns, the account had been closed. I was very upset, because wamu did not look at the account to see what had happened, they just closed the accoun t and said that I would receive a letter in mail. The senior accounts rep said that due to the nature of the account, he would put in a request to have the account reinstated.
Needless to say that if a company could do such a thing, then I'd rather not have this card
I have had this card for 2 months. I received a preapproval in the mail. I went on line to make a payment from my saving account, and I called to make sure that a saving account would be acceptable. The representative told me that it was fine as long as a had the routing number and account number. Much to my surprise when I looked online at my account the payment was returned. I talked to 6 different representatives, and 2 supervisor, and I was assured that the payment was ok. A couple of days later, I received a letter that stated my payment was returned. I called wamu again, and was told that they would rerun the payment after I called the bank to get a separate routing number for a saving account. I spoke to my bank and was told that there was no separate rounting number for a saving account. I called wamu again, and finally was told that I could not use a saving account. Finally I used a checking account and the payment went through. Much to my surprise, I view my accoount today and saw that my account was closed by wamu. I called again spoke to two different reps before finally getting to a senior accounts rep. I was told that due to so many check returns, the account had been closed. I was very upset, because wamu did not look at the account to see what had happened, they just closed the accoun t and said that I would receive a letter in mail. The senior accounts rep said that due to the nature of the account, he would put in a request to have the account reinstated.
Needless to say that if a company could do such a thing, then I'd rather not have this card
9 Comments
Comment 1 by shark6
I Am So Sorry 
on 2008-07-21
Oh, I am so sorry that happened to you. I would take a breath and step back for a minute. Yes, they screwed up by giving you inaccurate information that caused you to be harmed.
However, I think that you may take a hit with the account openning and closing in such a short time and another hit if they memo it, account closed by credit grantor.
If you have the names of who you spoke to and really good notes of what was said, by whom and on what date, I would write to a person with a name in the 'new accounts dept' as well as a V. P and request that your account be reinstated without prejudice i. E no interest rate hike etc and that you be reimbursed for any late or return check fees.
on 2008-07-21 Oh, I am so sorry that happened to you. I would take a breath and step back for a minute. Yes, they screwed up by giving you inaccurate information that caused you to be harmed.However, I think that you may take a hit with the account openning and closing in such a short time and another hit if they memo it, account closed by credit grantor.
If you have the names of who you spoke to and really good notes of what was said, by whom and on what date, I would write to a person with a name in the 'new accounts dept' as well as a V. P and request that your account be reinstated without prejudice i. E no interest rate hike etc and that you be reimbursed for any late or return check fees.
Comment 2 by mrrob
Sorry on 2008-07-21
Sorry to hear what happened, hopefully WAMU will reenstate the account
on 2008-07-21 Sorry to hear what happened, hopefully WAMU will reenstate the account
Comment 3 by desihunk17
Same Thing Happen To Me on 2008-07-21
You are not going to belive this but same thing happen to me last month... I called then to get the payment address and they gave me wrong address so when I send them check they never go it... Called then I made payment over the phone... Which was due next day... And next day I tried to use the card... Denied called the back found out they closed my account because I was late on my payment... This back sux..
on 2008-07-21 You are not going to belive this but same thing happen to me last month... I called then to get the payment address and they gave me wrong address so when I send them check they never go it... Called then I made payment over the phone... Which was due next day... And next day I tried to use the card... Denied called the back found out they closed my account because I was late on my payment... This back sux..
Comment 4 by wildrage2
Bank? on 2008-07-21
Was your savings account at WaMu or another bank?
If your accout was at another bank (like Wachovia or BoA), then it wasn't WaMu's fault. The bank that the check was issued on is who refused to pay out the autodraft.
Some banks allow you to do an autodraft from your savings, some banks don't (like Chase)... Others make you authorize it first. You should note that there are many, many banks that don't allow this at all. Banks sometimes have different standards for checking and savings accounts.
The people at WaMu may have not necessarily given you wrong information, but they may have explained it properly (or the bank that your savings is with could have simply screwed up).
on 2008-07-21 Was your savings account at WaMu or another bank?If your accout was at another bank (like Wachovia or BoA), then it wasn't WaMu's fault. The bank that the check was issued on is who refused to pay out the autodraft.
Some banks allow you to do an autodraft from your savings, some banks don't (like Chase)... Others make you authorize it first. You should note that there are many, many banks that don't allow this at all. Banks sometimes have different standards for checking and savings accounts.
The people at WaMu may have not necessarily given you wrong information, but they may have explained it properly (or the bank that your savings is with could have simply screwed up).
Comment 5 by mark
I Think It's Your Bank' S Fault on 2008-07-21
I agree with the statement that it's your BANK's fault and not WAMU regarding the returned cheques.
unfrotunately, WAMU shouldn't have closed your account..
but, if WE ALL read the fine prints that accompany the membership agreement in our cards, regardless if its Bank of America, Chase, American Express, Citibank etc..
they can and will actually do this, without any say from us..
we're merely borrowing the card from them, and they can take away the privilege of using the card anytime.
i feel bad for what happened to you... Hopefully things get resolve quickly
on 2008-07-21 I agree with the statement that it's your BANK's fault and not WAMU regarding the returned cheques.unfrotunately, WAMU shouldn't have closed your account..
but, if WE ALL read the fine prints that accompany the membership agreement in our cards, regardless if its Bank of America, Chase, American Express, Citibank etc..
they can and will actually do this, without any say from us..
we're merely borrowing the card from them, and they can take away the privilege of using the card anytime.
i feel bad for what happened to you... Hopefully things get resolve quickly
Comment 6 by hjm331
RE: Jai on 2008-07-21
Why did you try paying from your savings account in the first place? Nowadays, if you have a savings account, you also have a checking account. You can just transfer the amount from your savings to your checking online.
on 2008-07-21 Why did you try paying from your savings account in the first place? Nowadays, if you have a savings account, you also have a checking account. You can just transfer the amount from your savings to your checking online.
Comment 7 by shark6
I Think Wamu Gave X Info on 2008-07-21
Unless I am ready wrong, the OP, said that WAMU informed her that they did take payments from savings accounts. The first one did not go through. She called her bank to get a new routing# but her bank told her that there was no different #. She then spoke to WAMU who said that they could not take a payment from a savings account.
It seems to me from what the OP wrote, WAMU gave her incorrect information.
on 2008-07-21 Unless I am ready wrong, the OP, said that WAMU informed her that they did take payments from savings accounts. The first one did not go through. She called her bank to get a new routing# but her bank told her that there was no different #. She then spoke to WAMU who said that they could not take a payment from a savings account.It seems to me from what the OP wrote, WAMU gave her incorrect information.
Comment 8 by mark
@ Shark6 on 2008-07-22
@ shark 6
you read it right... Well some part of it!
i'd like to take your attention to the part where the OP said, she got a letter from WAMU stating that her payment was returned.
i think it's the OP's own bank that didn't honor the " withdrawal" from WAMU from her SAvings account..
most saving s account have a limited amount of withdrawal for a month.
my Bank ( Bank of AMerica) only allows 6 per month, then they'll charge you transaction fees if you exceeded more than 6 withdrawals from your SAVINGS.
CLEARLY, her Bank prevented electronic transfers from her savings account.
and when she spoke with a WAMU rep after the incident, they informed her that "her Savings acount" was not allowing the payment to push through"
to summarize my point.
any bank use the same routing numbers for checking and savings..
and there's no way to differentiate the two whether you're getting funds from a checking, savings or money market...( if you were WAMU)
it's your BANK who decides which withdrawal gets through/ processed.
million dollar question to the OP?
why didn't you use your checking account in the 1st place?
you should have read the agreement between you and your bank regarding your savings limitations with withdrawals and transfers
on 2008-07-22 @ shark 6you read it right... Well some part of it!
i'd like to take your attention to the part where the OP said, she got a letter from WAMU stating that her payment was returned.
i think it's the OP's own bank that didn't honor the " withdrawal" from WAMU from her SAvings account..
most saving s account have a limited amount of withdrawal for a month.
my Bank ( Bank of AMerica) only allows 6 per month, then they'll charge you transaction fees if you exceeded more than 6 withdrawals from your SAVINGS.
CLEARLY, her Bank prevented electronic transfers from her savings account.
and when she spoke with a WAMU rep after the incident, they informed her that "her Savings acount" was not allowing the payment to push through"
to summarize my point.
any bank use the same routing numbers for checking and savings..
and there's no way to differentiate the two whether you're getting funds from a checking, savings or money market...( if you were WAMU)
it's your BANK who decides which withdrawal gets through/ processed.
million dollar question to the OP?
why didn't you use your checking account in the 1st place?
you should have read the agreement between you and your bank regarding your savings limitations with withdrawals and transfers
Comment 9 by shark6
Point Taken on 2008-07-22
You have a point. I think that there is blame for all to go around. After receiving the letter, I would have just written a check and mailed it or if there were issues with a checking account, just mail a money order.
on 2008-07-22 You have a point. I think that there is blame for all to go around. After receiving the letter, I would have just written a check and mailed it or if there were issues with a checking account, just mail a money order.
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Disclaimer: This content is not provided by Washington Mutual Bank. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Washington Mutual Bank. Review content is powered by Finance Globe.
