PNC BANK and the $36.00 Daily Overdraft Fee

So if you have ever read my bathroom material before, you know I work very far away from my home in Pittsburgh (in this case was in Odessa for last two weeks.) 

I have two bank accounts (PNC/Chase).  The ONLY reason I use PNC Bank anymore is because I handle my direct pays for car, insurance, and several other bills through there, and I really don't...well didn't feel like changing all of those bills over to my checking acct through Chase.

I had my bills go through last week, noticing that my math was a bit off this time around, and I was -$1.97 overdraft in the account.  I phoned PNC on June 29 stating that I am nowhere near a PNC Bank right now and do not have the ability to transfer money into the account until I get home.  The lady, who could barely understand my language, told me I should be fine as I didn't exceed overdraft of 5 dollars.

I got home today, checked my online statement for the first time since the 30th......NEGATIVE 289.97 PRESENT DAY IN MY BANK ACCOUNT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last eight transactions???  OVERDRAFT FEE: 36.00

This isn't the first time PNC Bank has done this.  Several months ago the account went overdraft 85 cents on a Sunday night.  Arrived at the bank Monday morning to immediately deposit (was 500 dollar deposit,) checked my account next morning....POPPED WITH A 36 DOLLAR FEE (which was reimbursed). 

 I had a foreign check from a drilling company (England) cashed through them and they popped me with 250 dollars of processing fees.  Wouldn't refund me any of it because they reimbursed me a 36 dollar overdraft fee and you only get one of those a year.  Also told me it would take 3-5 business days to clear.  It took up until three weeks ago to clear (close to 2 full months).

I can't wait to report back after I go through hours on the phone with them tomorrow, for what will be my last business transaction with this bank. 

Is any of this legal?  This disgusting way of theft?  I'd be thrown in jail if I tried this as a small business owner.

Hutch, I do have overdraft protection.  I've always had overdraft protection.

The only difference OD protection makes is that after the 8th 36.00 fee is charged, they will no longer charge you seven dollars per day.  And that is verbatim from a PNC escalation executive.

I'll take into account that it was irresponsible for me to leave my account underfunded by $1.97, and the fact that I was over 900 miles from the nearest branch.  But I am a person who HARDLY ever does this, and they know that.  There is absolutely no reason to peg me with all of these fees after I had already contacted your branch and was assured there would be no issue.  My account is closed so I will never face the situation again, but if this is the acceptable lesson human beings are to be taught after making a rare financial mistake, then why aren't these banks accountable for the countless mistakes they make?

ONE mistake being a two month pending clear on a foreign check escalating with 250 dollars of processing fees. 

I couldn't begin to get into that story because my fingers would fall off from exhaustion.  Long story short some momo at a local branch told me that it would take 3-5 business days TOPS to clear that check.  Sounds good too me.  I must have called the next four Monday's after that 5th business day to see wtf was going on.  NOBODY at the PNC branch ever even heard of my check and thought I was lying.  It took 1.5 months for somebody to finally acknowledge that I did have a check after the escalation dept contacted the local branch when the teller who took my check was finally back at work. 

 "It was in the mail and we had no way of tracking it."

^That was the top excuse I received.

I just got off the phone with the escalation team and I'll ad lib what was told too me.

The escalation BRANCH manager of PA told me the reason I was overdraft $1.97 was because my insurance company now charges a fee for autopays that were set up through debit.  So while I had an extra $10 in the account, the fee was...you guessed it $11.97 total (another disgusting detail from my insurance co).  She then pressed on and said we already gave you a one-time courtesy and we will NOT be able to refund any of these fees at any time.  I asked of the person that told me everything was fine because the OD was under 1.97.

She said that person didn't know what they were talking about, and that even if the account was overdraft 50 cents the same rules apply.  Then she tried to "comfort" me by telling me how she thinks it is unfair, and that she had to wipe out her 401K plan one time because she lost her job.  I asked HOW does this apply too a 1.97 OD fee that can be easily fixed seeing that I was nowhere near town up until yesterday?  She went on about how I have to understand bank policy, and then patronized me some more with pleasantries about having a nice day and being a proud bank member of PNC Bank despite the fact that my account is closed right now.

I concluded with what will happen if I just let this go?  She said that in 90 days or less collections will be notified after the account hits a maximum of 190 dollars.  I stopped her and explained how I was hit with 289 dollars in fees ALREADY.

I then threw my phone when I was told THIS...........

You...were...charged....for...each....transaction...that...posted.  That...1.97....was.....broken......down.....into......eight.....separate....
transactions.

What the f**k is this?  How could anybody justify this?

UPDATE:

Went back to my home branch, requested to speak with the manager, got the assistant manager and wahlah, every cent was refunded in full after explaining the situation.

She said the escalation manager I spoke with on the phone had more than enough authority to drop those charges, and she went even as far as to request the woman's name to have my ridiculous encounter looked into further.

I got nothing but apologies out the door. 

Unbelievable that the assistant manager at a small Western PA bank can rectify this in a matter of five minutes, but the escalation branch manager of the state of Pennsylvania cannot or will not refund a cent within almost an hour of phone time.

PNC Bank users beware!!

I guess moral is don't let them get away with this.  Fight them!!!!