🙂 is what people typically call trolling—though it seems 🙄 is perfectly acceptable here. I can somewhat sympathize with the hostess, given that this behavior serves her interests, but as for the rest of you—those who have no stake in this yet feel compelled to label others as idiots... it appears this is the most "tolerant" corner of the Forum, where just about anything goes. I am genuinely curious to see if there would be any pushback if I were to tell them they are fools simply for meddling in matters that don't concern them in the slightest...
So, does all that posturing actually pay off in the end? I'm curious how many others have been in my shoes—moving funds over to a different bank, only to realize that all those threats and demands were essentially empty...
They asked me which transactions I make most frequently 🙄—as if they couldn't see it all more clearly than I can with just two clicks of a mouse. Of course, they don't actually need my input; the only logical reason for them to ask is to provide some semblance of consent for their data mining (given that you have to sign off on them doing whatever they please with it) is so they can leverage that data later to extract maximum value from you. Whether it's passing your info along to insurance companies—who find it incredibly useful to know your exact salary and bank balance—or offering you credit based on your perceived solvency, it's all about tailoring service packages to your needs... or perhaps ensuring Walmart can send you personalized coupons for the exact items you buy most often...
Where exactly did I claim to be worried about privacy concerns? Honestly, if they’re that desperate for my data, they could probably scrape it all with just two clicks of a mouse anyway... ☕ The real reason I pulled my funds from JPMorgan Chase was the relentless harassment of their staff regarding matters that have absolutely nothing to do with my current balance or checking account—things like getting phone calls demanding I show up in person to answer questions as if I were some sort of criminal. Then there were the threats—blatant warnings that they would close my account and freeze my funds if I didn't comply. And, of course, the constant badgering with every possible fixed-term deposit, service package, fund, or online banking feature they offer... things were steadily deteriorating, and those threats to block my access simply fast-tracked my decision to cut ties with them once and for all.
Nathan Morris3 said:I was just responding to what you said about how if Wells Fargo or the Federal Reserve asks the same question, you'd probably just close your account there too. It sounded kind of hopeless to me, maybe like encouraging people to give up. Tell me if I'm misreading it, but that's just how it came across, sorry.
I get why you're trying, I really do, but I'm worried it won't actually matter.
To be honest, it probably will matter. But I guess I just don't want us to be discouraged by being called "funny." When we finally realize everything has gone south and we've lost control over our own lives—like our cash or privacy—I just want to know I at least tried to do something about it. I mean, honestly, watching us switch banks might be entertaining for you, but it's just as amusing for me to read bank arguments when you call them out on laws that say the exact opposite of what they claim. It gets a bit sad when you realize none of it changes the outcome. At least things are better now that Rhode Island is part of the European Union, since there are more layers of oversight to make sure laws are actually followed.
🙂 As I have already noted, I attempted to resolve this through civilized channels... I wanted to handle it over the phone, but they insisted that wasn't an option 🙄 so I offered to send all the necessary documentation via email—they refused that as well. Afterward, I suggested they simply contact the local municipality or the IRS, given that they hold all the same data—again, they wouldn't hear of it 😵 the only way to satisfy their requirements was to physically visit a branch, endure an interrogation as if I were some sort of criminal suspect and then sign away my rights to let them do whatever they please with my information 🙂 well, honestly, to hell with them and whoever came up with this system—I am moving my business to another bank. 👋
I made my exit from Bank of America specifically because they’ve become far too arrogant—that recent circular memo was really just the final nail in the coffin... once I started moving my funds, my personal banker at Bank of America called me the very next day—though I hadn't even asked for her assistance—to ask if I wanted to put that money into a CD 😵 don't be ridiculous, if I transferred it out, it means I have no intention of bringing it back ☕ then, every single time I stepped foot into a branch, they would try to pitch me various service packages, CDs, or mutual fund investments 🙂 if that were actually what I wanted, I would have asked for it myself it continued until they began calling me constantly to come into the branch to fill out survey forms regarding alleged anti-terrorism and anti-money laundering compliance... honestly, give me a break, you aren't the only bank in the country
As I previously mentioned, I went ahead and opened both a checking and a savings account at Wells Fargo—and remarkably, nobody asked a single follow-up question... if they had any actual interest in my business, I suppose they would have brought it up during the application process
When I originally opened my account, they didn't ask any questions—if they don't start causing issues like they did at the Chase branch in downtown Chicago, then there’s really no reason for me to stay...
What you're describing is basically that group of people who think what he's doing is totally justified, yet they're still rooting for him to fail. It's such a loser mentality, really... it just serves as an excuse for them to give up before they even start.
And if someone claims they aren't commenting because they've already given up, but rather because they think the whole thing is "unimportant" or just "minor details," then why does suddenly critiquing everyone else's actions become so vital? 😁
-Steve
👍 It is quite curious... these people claim to have no issues with banks, yet they descend upon a thread specifically discussing banking matters just to insist the topic is trivial... if the roles were reversed and they were the ones being targeted, I suspect they would launch twenty different threads online, start a Facebook group, call every journalist in town to write exposés, and stage protests with signs right outside the doors of Wells Fargo🙂
If I take a moment to reflect properly... 🤔 it’s true that I don't exactly have anything more productive to do than distance myself from those banking idiots—who, quite frankly, have gone as far as making threats along the way. It is regrettable that I didn't pull the plug the moment they started acting this way, but circumstances simply wouldn't allow it—I won't go into the specifics...
James Rogers53 said:I honestly find it fascinating how much free time some people have to obsess over stuff like this. He’s been fighting this battle for months—all because someone supposedly asked him for details like a work phone number (which they didn't). The kicker, which makes this whole thing even more ridiculous, is that all the info he’s acting like he’s guarding is actually just a few clicks away for the very official asking for it—let alone for anyone else looking to dig it up. The guy has been posting on forums for ten years; I guess you could practically reconstruct half his life just from his post history.
So, why are you taking your frustrations out on me instead of the bank for pulling such amateur stunts? It’s pretty obvious you don't have an account at Wells Fargo... because if you did, they would have certainly called you at home to visit a branch and fill out survey forms, or sent you a notice threatening to freeze your funds if you didn't comply.
As long as they don't start interrogating me about my degree, my office extension, how many people live in my house, or whether I hold dual citizenship I am perfectly content ☕ edit: and until they begin threatening to freeze my accounts and lock up my funds unless I answer every single intrusive question they can dream up 🙂
Alexander Thompson said:You really nailed it with that choice—those guys are absolute pros. 👍
I was scrolling through some news earlier and stumbled onto this piece about the latest fallout from that whole mess involving the big political players—you know, the stuff that always seems to blow up right when things should be settling down. It’s pretty wild how these legal battles just drag on forever, isn't it? Basically, there's this massive headache brewing over certain investigations, and it feels like everyone is just waiting for the other shoe to drop. It’s one of those situations where you start reading one thing and end up questioning everything you thought you knew about how the system actually works here in the States. I guess it’s just part of the landscape now—constant drama, endless hearings, and a whole lot of finger-pointing. It's kind of exhausting, honestly, if you think about it too much. Maybe I'm just being cynical, but it feels like we've been down this road before, only with different faces and the same old predictable outcomes. Anyway, just my two cents while I try to make sense of the chaos.
I decided to head to the first major bank I could find nearby—one with a solid network of ATMs across the city and the rest of the states... and if Bank of America starts giving me any trouble I’ll just move my funds over to another institution and close everything out, much like I did with Wells Fargo... ☕
swiftridge72 said:Did you open a checking or a savings account?
Because, if I remember correctly, savings accounts are basically an open book for the IRS (and everyone else), whereas checking accounts aren't quite as transparent.
First the checking account—then the savings... though, as of today, I've actually closed out everything I held at JPMorgan Chase.🙂
To return to the matter at hand ☕ I headed over to the USPS today to open a checking account, without any of those tedious questions regarding state regulations, money laundering, or terrorism... I have quite a bit to say about Laura Chavez93—that absolute fool from JPMorgan Chase who seems to think it’s his job to label anyone holding an account there as a criminal 🙂 ever since they started harassing people with those Swiss franc loans, they've become incredibly arrogant; frankly, the only way to handle them is to give them a taste of their own medicine
No, just the checking account for now... I'll be opening the savings in a few days, though I have to head down to the branch to handle that once that's sorted, I'm closing out everything I have over at Chase
I was at the local post office earlier today to open a checking account... there were absolutely no questions regarding foreign citizenship, educational background, or family size—nothing at all... they simply asked for my place of birth, scanned my ID, and requested my Social Security number so they could pull up my tax ID through their online system... I really should have called out those idiots at JPMorgan Chase the moment they started with the nonsense—I regret not being more direct right then and there ☕
I was at JPMorgan Chase earlier today, clearing out nearly everything from my account—so if they feel the need to freeze anything, let it be the measly hundred dollars or so left sitting there... The teller had this sudden urge to update my personal information while I was mid-transaction 🤣 though I told her I'd take care of it some other time ☕ The atmosphere at the counters around me felt less like a bank and more like a police interrogation: one woman was grilling a guy about whether he held any other citizenships or what exactly he needed the account for... honestly, it was absurd 🙂
Could you please walk me through the logic behind these specific questions? - Monthly cash transaction volume ($) - Average annual account turnover ($)
I’m fairly certain the bank requesting this info has a much better grasp on my finances than I do—not to mention they could probably run a deep-dive analytics report covering the last two decades if they felt like it. Personally, I don't have the slightest clue what my total transaction volume was three weeks ago, nor do I particularly care to find out.
I will step in and answer on her behalf—since she likely won't get a straight answer anyway--☕ the truth is, any major bank can pull all that data with two simple clicks—and they certainly have much more accurate figures than I ever could... asking for this feels like nothing more than unnecessary harassment of their own clients and don't expect a real explanation from them either; they will just keep repeating the same tired script about how they "have to ask" and how it is "your responsibility to provide it"...