Berkshire Bank, HALFMOON CROSSING BRANCH

Worst Bank I have ever used
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by irritatedcustomer, Jan. 09, 2015

I reactivated a checking account, made a large cash deposit, and was told that the debit card would work fine immediately.  I went to get gas and the card was rejected at the pump.  I called the bank and was told that I should not have been told that the card would work, that I needed to get a new one.

I was told that due to a change in format of account numbers that my checks "might or might not" bounce and was told to order new ones at my expense (in fairness I was told - a WEEK later - that the charge would be waived).  No one told me that I could not use my existing account number to arrange for direct deposit of my social security check or other items.  I did so and was then told by the bank that the deposit would not be accepted because of the change in account number format.  Now I am going to have to deal with a delayed social security payment because of the lack of competent and complete advice from branch staff.

On to the debit card. it took around 25 minutes to get a new one issued, which I thought was absurd (I have opened accounts at other banks and the entire process, including the debit card, took 15 minutes).  The first time I went to use the card on a $130 GPS purchase it was declined; this, with a 4 figure available balance in the account.  I called and was told that "MasterCard, for security reasons, requires that all purchases over $90 be run as debit, not credit, and using the PIN is required".  I checked with another bank and was told that that was not the case.

In any case I attempted to use the card at the ATM at the branch and apparently forgot my PIN (the one thing not the fault of the branch or bank).  I called the branch and got my pin reset and was assured that the card was now 100% up and running.  I waste 20 minutes driving to Walmart, go to buy the GPS, and the card was rejected AGAIN.

I called the branch again and was told by the person that reset the PIN that she failed to clear the block placed on the account when I attempted to use the PIN that I could not remember.  Again, not the bank's fault that I forgot my pin or that the ATM locked the card; DEFINITELY the bank's fault not to have seen that on the screen when the PIN was reset.  I must say that the person was honest enough to admit it was her error.

I will review again as the horror story continues.



* this reviewer has be with this bank for 1 - 3 years
* this reviewer had 3 - 5 banks before.
* this review was made on Berkshire Bank, Halfmoon Crossing Branch at Clifton Park, NY
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