AmeriServ Financial

Having a 135 year old business that had always used this bank means nothing to them. They treat you with disrespect and cruelty. They are completely unwilling to help in anyway and only care about what they can get from you. The branch managers are in on some sort of power trip and like to speak poorly about their clients appearances etc.

I made a mistake as of the date the date would've of been August 1, However, I couldn't make any withdrawals from the atm located in the [redacted] [redacted] or at the [redacted] bank across the street from the MallHowever they charged my account for the atm fees, which I'm sure is recorded in their recordsI called both the Ameriserv Main office number for assisitance and the Johnstown area bank...No one helped me and I was told that I would have to wait until I go back to Johnstown to settle this matter....I was able to purchase some clothes on my debit/ check card that dayBut still couldn't make a cash withdrawal from any atm machine in Meadville , PaTherefore my daughter [redacted] loaned me One hundred dollars and I wrote her a check which she deposited in her bank account in Meadville on the same day...She will witness to this being true and accurate for she was with me at the time when it all transpired....Her number is [redacted] ***...Also I had just closed my checking account with [redacted] and had no issues with any bad checks or whatever Ameriserv is trying to say....and I had that account with free checking for 3-yrs...So I totally disagree with their response it isn't true to facts....If needed I will find the old statements ...but you can get them from my bank as well

Dear [redacted] ,This letter is to serve as a response to your letter dated 3/19/in which you claim that you wereplaced into the wrong checking account, consequently leading to a violation of your right to withdrawfunds by using your VISA Check card.During the new account opening process, each new customer’s information is run through a systemcalled QualiFile to check for any prior retail or financial debt collection problemsThe customer wasdeclined by QualiFile for a regular checking account and was only eligible for our Bounce Back CheckingaccountOur Bounce Back checking account provides individuals who have had past banking challengesthe opportunity to rebuild a good banking relationship and re-establish a positive banking historythrough the use of a fully functional checking accountThis account was opened on April 4, and thecustomer signed the signature card for the account, which was clearly marked as a Bounce backChecking accountThe signature card also includes a section acknowledging receipt of our disclosureswhich spell out the monthly service fee, the VISA check card daily limits of $for Point of Salepurchases and Cash withdrawals and states that a customer must request to convert the account to aregular checking account after consecutive months of good standing.There are many scenarios that could have taken place based on the information provided as to thedenial of her attempted VISA check card transactions both while her account was in the Bounce Backchecking account and after it had been switched to the Ultimate Free checking accountGiven the exactdates were not specified in the complaint along with the length of time before the complaint was filed;it is difficult to clearly determine the precise reasons for this occurringMs.~ states that she was inMeadville, PA in July 2014, right after her VA pension check was deposited, went to an ATM and wasunable to withdrawal $She contacted the Bank and was told that she could only withdrawal$We see that on August 1st, 2014, her VA and pension checks were deposited and a Point of Saledebit of $was processed at 10:05amGiven that she has $daily limit for Point of Sale andCash withdrawals on her Visa check card, this would have left her enough for a $ATM cashwithdrawalAt 2:33pm on August , she withdrew $plus the $Foreign ATM feeWe show nowithdrawals in Meadville, PA in July 2014.Sincerely, [redacted] Manager of Branch OperationsMain

I am rejecting this response because: Its not accurate information, and I can not believe how far this company is willing to go; so they do not have to take responsibility for their actions. They have slandered my name, and called the police lying saying I made threats to employees. Now they are just telling more lies. Stating that I was drunk; is a poor attempt to justify there actions and make my character be in question. It was around 6:30A.M and I just woke up. I did provide them pictures of the broken chain. The chain is an older chain, but it secured my driveway gate just fine. I offered to have my lady friend who stayed the night to write a letter confirming that I shut and locked the gate after she arrived at my house the night before the unlawful repossession took place. I also was told by a neighbor they saw the driver out of the tow truck by the gate. If the gate was open there would be no need for the driver to get out his truck. I wasn't even close to the car to touch it let alone do something to the brakes. This lie isn't as bad as the one digital dog told the lien holder. They told the lender that I shot the car with an air rifle. I was told to contact a gentlemen named [redacted] from digital dog and he would be handling the claim process. He stated 'the driver knows better then to do that" when I told him about the chain being broken that locked the  driveway gate. The driver was fully aware because of the classes and training provided by digital dog, but did it any ways. When I told [redacted] about the damage to the driveway; stating that it was probably caused by the weight of both the car and tow truck. He said "now I could see that happening" The person who job is to handle the claim and wrote the letter that denied my claim told quote "I could see that happening" when the cracks were first brought to their attention. There are many different cracks in my driveway and they were not there until the unlawful repossession happened. I provided pictures of these cracks. I also provided pictures of a crack in a different location that was there before the unlawful repossession occurred. I did this to show them that a crack that was there already would have some type of vegetation growing in it.I spoke to the VP of digital dog regarding the damage to real property and he stated "You have no rights' and "rights are to protect people from government." I feel that employees at digital dog feel and treat people that have their car repossessed like second class citizens because they missed a car payment. I know that this is the the way I was treated. When I first talked to the VP regarding the claim he said he would have a decisions in 24 hours. After two weeks I got a call from him and he stated my claim was denied and the claim I submitted with American Recovery Service will be denied as well. I was trying to discuss the facts with him in a professional manner, and he hung up on me. I called him back with no answer and text him after that. Someone called the police on me stating that I was harassing him and threaten him. Which was a total lie and no charges where filed. Similar to how digital do stated I was drunk; an unethical attempt to prevent them from taking responsibility for there actions.I received a letter with a list of inventory that was in the car 8 days after the unlawful repossession took place and an item was missing. It was a gift that my sister gave me. I was under the impression that the law stated I should have been provided this document within two days after a car was repossessed. There was an item missing and I was first told I should just go check see it may have been looked over. When I went and got my car back the item was not in the car. I mention something to the gentlemen who was there and he said it will be resolved with the claim I submitted. He also asked me to sign something digitally on a tablet. I denied that request and he had a paper document; he wanted me to sign. I told him I was not comfortable signing it. He told me that I would not get my car back unless I signed it. I did sign the paper document because I was forced too. I put to get car back and plus addendum next to where I signed. I still have yet to receive my gold cross or been compensated for it.Digital dog is a unethical company that is willing to do whatever the see fit in order to not take responsibility for there unlawful actions. They have slandered my name and lied about me and what they have done. I feel all there actions and the way I have been treated has something to do with when I was wrongly placed under citizens arrest by a repossession tow company's driver; who came to my house a 130A.M. years ago looking for the old home owners vehicle. I am not positive but I feel it was the same driver that placed me under citizens arrest. Of course nothing ever cam from the citizens arrest because it was a lie. Just like digital dog is lying now. Digital dog has not only been unethical; they have broke laws that are made to protect consumers like myself. They damaged my property and took my property. They are willing to do anything not to take responsibility. Something needs to be done about there actions. I want a formal complete with the Revdex.com and they shouldn't be recognized by the Revdex.com. They need to repair the damages they caused. They would not tell me their insurance company was. I offered them to have someone from there company to come investigate and put a value of the damages. They said that they didn't need too. No business should treat anyone the way digital dog treated me. I hope the Revdex.com will put a stop to this and make them accountable.

We understand the frustration the customer has. We have already reduced the charges by 60%. At this time no further reduction in fees can be applied as the customer has cashed the check. A few details: *The customers car was secured @ 3:56pm 5/18 and got to our yard after hours....

*Customer showed up without making an appointment @ 10:51am 5/19 and that is the reason the prop had not been completely processed yet. *Our home office set up the release while the customer waited ……. normal fees for 2 day @ $30 pull fee and 2 days @ $10 for storage=$50 *Customer spoke to me and I advised we would reimburse for services not provided, which would be the $30 pull fee. *Issued a check and customer received and then called in because they were expecting full $50 back. *I advised they were still charged the storage as it was still stored on our lot, whether in the storage locker or still in the car. *Customer is also claiming we did not itemize or store properly per state laws, but as far as I can see there is no time limit for when the unit needs to be processed, only time limits for notifying customers. Again, due to the customer just showing up, [redacted] was unable to provide a fully itemized list.

I am rejecting this response because:The information in the response is inaccurate. I called and spoke to an agent at the company otherwise I would have not known where to pick up my items or the timeframe in which I could do so. Prior to cashing the check I spoke to this manager who advised me that he would not authorize any other refund and laughed at me when I explained that my items were not safely stored. Also when I picked my car up after it left the yard there were still items in the car. Nothing was done with my belongings. California state law says the items must be stored in a secure designated area. I do not believe an unlocked can on an unlocked yard is considered secure. I also called numerous times regarding damages to my car and never received a response from the manager. There was no attempt to do anything with my belongings so there should be no fee. Charging for services that weren't provided is wrong. How many people is this company charging for services that aren't provided?

Dear[redacted],This letter is to serve as a response to your letter dated 3/19/2015 in which you claim that you wereplaced into the wrong checking account, consequently leading to a violation of your right to withdrawfunds by using your VISA Check card.During the new account opening process, each new...

customer’s information is run through a systemcalled QualiFile to check for any prior retail or financial debt collection problems. The customer wasdeclined by QualiFile for a regular checking account and was only eligible for our Bounce Back Checkingaccount. Our Bounce Back checking account provides individuals who have had past banking challengesthe opportunity to rebuild a good banking relationship and re-establish a positive banking historythrough the use of a fully functional checking account. This account was opened on April 4, 2013 and thecustomer signed the signature card for the account, which was clearly marked as a Bounce backChecking account. The signature card also includes a section acknowledging receipt of our disclosureswhich spell out the monthly service fee, the VISA check card daily limits of $100.00 for Point of Salepurchases and Cash withdrawals and states that a customer must request to convert the account to aregular checking account after 12 consecutive months of good standing.There are many scenarios that could have taken place based on the information provided as to thedenial of her attempted VISA check card transactions both while her account was in the Bounce Backchecking account and after it had been switched to the Ultimate Free checking account. Given the exactdates were not specified in the complaint along with the length of time before the complaint was filed;it is difficult to clearly determine the precise reasons for this occurring. Ms.~ states that she was inMeadville, PA in July 2014, right after her VA pension check was deposited, went to an ATM and wasunable to withdrawal $100.00. She contacted the Bank and was told that she could only withdrawal$50.00. We see that on August 1st, 2014, her VA and pension checks were deposited and a Point of Saledebit of $43.40 was processed at 10:05am. Given that she has $100.00 daily limit for Point of Sale andCash withdrawals on her Visa check card, this would have left her enough for a $50.00 ATM cashwithdrawal. At 2:33pm on August , she withdrew $43.00 plus the $2 Foreign ATM fee. We show nowithdrawals in Meadville, PA in July 2014.Sincerely,[redacted]Manager of Branch OperationsMain

Message:Good afternoon~ We have received the complaint and estimate from [redacted]
[redacted] requesting a total of $1331.48 for repairs to both front and rearbumpers on her 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer. The complaint states we damaged thefront and rear bumpers of this unit during the repossession process....

We havespoken to the recovery agent who has advised this vehicle was sitting on thestreet so he was able to hook this unit from the front and secure fortransport, he at no time touched the rear of this vehicle. The agent hasalso stated he was not aware of causing any damage to the front bumper.Through further investigation of all pictures and condition report we agreethe damage to the front end of this vehicle does indicate tow damage. Wehave also reviewed all pictures of the rear of this same unit both from ourlot and from this customer but this area does not indicate tow damage. We doaccept responsibility for the front bumper damage but again as we did nottouch the rear of this unit with our equipment we do not believe any damageto this area was caused by our company.  As we agree this process has takenmore time than we would like, we will agree to pay the entire estimateamount of $1331.48 to compensate for our lack of response for this amount oftime. We will be happy to issue a check to the customer in the totalrequested amount of $1331.48 along with a settlement agreement. Thank you![redacted]Digital Dog Auto RecoveryClaims Specialist/Redemptions[redacted]
[redacted]

I made a mistake as of the date the date would've of been August 1, 2014. However, I couldn't make any  withdrawals from the atm located in the [redacted]  [redacted] or at the [redacted] bank across the street from the Mall. However they charged my account for the atm fees, which I'm sure is recorded in their records. I called both the Ameriserv Main office 800 number for assisitance and the Johnstown area bank...No one helped me and I was told that I would have to wait until I go back to Johnstown to settle this matter....I was able to purchase some clothes on my debit/ check card that day. But still couldn't make a cash withdrawal from any atm machine in Meadville , Pa. Therefore my daughter [redacted] loaned me One hundred dollars and I wrote her a check which she deposited in her bank account in Meadville on the same day...She will witness to this being true and accurate for she was with me at the time when it all transpired....Her number is [redacted]...Also I had just closed my checking account with [redacted] and had no issues with any bad checks or whatever Ameriserv is trying to say....and I had that account with free checking for 3-4 yrs...So I totally disagree with their response it isn't true to facts....If needed I will find the old statements ...but you can get them from my bank as well...

We received an assignment* from the lienholder, [redacted] to repossess 2015 [redacted] TRAX [redacted] @ 11/16/2017 12:58pm. On 12/28/2017,  which lead to the agent spotting the unit in an unsecured driveway of a residential address [redacted]. The recovery was...

completed without incident. The customer contacted our agent after the recovery was completed per Business and Professions Code 7507.12. Effecting a recovery on private property that is unsecured would not be considered trespassing as the unit was accessible: A repossession licensee or its agent has the authority to repossess a vehicle in public areas with no restricted access. The customer was then permitted to remove any personal property. The customer returned our fairness, assaulting the driver with a cup off coffee by throwing and hitting our agent. We removed the coffee cup from the rear of our truck and placed the now empty cup of coffee upon the driveway in which he customer in an ultimate sense of irony accused us of littering.  *Business and Professions Code 7500.1 (b)“Assignment” means any written authorization by the legal owner, lienholder, lessor, lessee, registered owner, or the agent of any of them, to repossess any collateral, including, but not limited to, collateral registered under the Vehicle Code that is subject to a security agreement that contains a repossession clause.

It is unfortunate that this customer had a difficult experience; we strive to insure our clients' customers are happy with our service, although making customers happy after having their car repossessed is a lofty goal. In this case, we reduced our fees...

over 50% and the customer would not pay and would not come to our facility to pick up his belongings. He hung up on our staff a number of times and never accepted our reductions on price. Unit recovered 4-28-15Our redemption department emailed on 5-1-15 at 9:29am the following note to Veros Credit: "Good afternoon! Hope you are having a great Friday! Redemption fees per your contract are: 45.00 per day vehicle storage with 50.00 one time admin fee. Personal property redemption: 30.00 inventory fee and 10.00 per day storage. Unit recovered 04/28/2015 14:52:16 and stored at our Salinas facility. Thank you!"5-1-2015 we processed all mail and sent NOS (Notice of Seizure) and Personal Property letters as required by law.On 5-22-15 Sara in our redemption department took a call from the customer demanding prop at no fee—he argued with her for some time over not wanting to pay a dime for personal property; from the notes we can see Sara entered $280.00 (25 days ofstorage at 10.00 per day and a 30.00 inventory fee). We then agreed to accept $150.00 and entered notes in the property tab. He then demanded a supervisor, again did not want to pay a dime and wanted post mark proof of prop letter that went out. Gave call to [redacted] who reviewed the acct and let the customer know we have already negotiated the fees as low as we can and to please come and pick up his property—she also advised letter had gone out, but the customer stated did not want to pay a dime and hung up on [redacted]. On 5-27-15 The customer again called in at 13:02 to inform [redacted] that he contacted a lawyer who advised him to place a claim with Revdex.com since we are charging him for his property. [redacted] then spoke with [redacted] who was advised the very first time this customer called that we had we agreed to lower the fees, he just won’t pay anything at all. [redacted] reviewed the file and agreed we had already agreed to lower the fees and he would need to pay them. 5-27-15 at 13:31(day 30 of prop storage) [redacted]called ro back to advise at [redacted], she received dead air and then a busysignal—she tried this several times.  5-27-15 at 13:54 (again day 30 of prop storage) Ro called back  to [redacted] directly—she advised fees are 150.00 butwill go up 10.00 per day.  Advised it would be a good idea to pick upproperty sooner rather than later due to cost. Ro at this time argued again buttold [redacted] he would now pay a reasonable fee. This was the first mention by thero that he would agree to pay any fees at all. [redacted] advised we have discountedover 50% of the property fees, ro continued to argue saying we did not followprocedure therefore he should not have to pay—this was basically exactly whathe said during our first conversation and this is a week later. —[redacted] advisedprice is 150.00 as of 5-27-15 and would go up by 10.00 per day then offered toset him up with an appointment but the ro again hung up on her.  On 5-29-15 the customer showed up in our Salinas office and spokewith [redacted] says he asked for the 150.00 and the ro stated he was nevernotified of us storing property and will pay nothing. The ro advised since henever received and signed a property report that he now has to pay nothing.[redacted] noticed the fees had already been reduced and advised it will go up by10.00 per day and property is only stored for 60 days then disposed of. Rostated he had already reported us to the Revdex.com and does not have to pay. Heattempted to get [redacted] to provide the property for free several times but [redacted]still refused, ro left our facility.

Review: I transferred to this bank from another bank here in Johnstown to open a checking account. They ran a check on me at the initial meeting to see if I had any bounced checks before opening an account. After telling me that they found none, instead of opening a regular checking account for me, they put me on what they call as bounce back checking which limits my ability to write checks and have full access to my money without a limit at ATM'S. I didn't understand this considering there was no bounced checks found on me....However, I agreed with the plan and was told that I could withdraw $ 100.00 a day from my checking account for a year. However in July of 2014 when my VA. Pension check was deposited again through direct deposit I was in Meadville, Pa. making funeral arrangements to bury my little sister. I went to an ATM to get the needed $100.00 and wasn't allowed to make the withdrawal...I contacted the bank and they claimed I was only allowed $50.00 a day however while I was in Johnstown I could always withdraw the hundred. Then I was told the reason I couldn't was because I had an overdraft that was never paid. Then after the year was up they were suppose to turn me automatically over to regular free checking. However , that never happened either and I was told I had to come into the bank and request the turnover to free checking. I thought that was crazy who does that when it was never written in my contract with the bounce checking agreement?. But again I complied by going into the bank...Upon my first try to use my new free checking account it came back from my debit / credit card as denied regardless the fact that I had the available funding...When I called the one downtown bank they didn't do anything to help me or tell me why I couldn't make my transactions without denial....I had to call the 800 number to get them to release my account so I could use it...This bank took me from day one through unlawful bank practice by placing in a program I had no reason being in and then violating my right to withdraw my funds by my ATM, Debit, Credit card. This bank violated my rights as a consumer and fair practice law by placing me in a program for people whom bounced checks. I went through unnecessary financial and emotional burdens when trying to access funds from my account especially when I was out of town burying my family member.Desired Settlement: I want financial compensation for all the undue hardships and emotional distress this bank has put me through from day one without valid legal practice.

Business

Response:

Dear[redacted],This letter is to serve as a response to your letter dated 3/19/2015 in which you claim that you wereplaced into the wrong checking account, consequently leading to a violation of your right to withdrawfunds by using your VISA Check card.During the new account opening process, each new customer’s information is run through a systemcalled QualiFile to check for any prior retail or financial debt collection problems. The customer wasdeclined by QualiFile for a regular checking account and was only eligible for our Bounce Back Checkingaccount. Our Bounce Back checking account provides individuals who have had past banking challengesthe opportunity to rebuild a good banking relationship and re-establish a positive banking historythrough the use of a fully functional checking account. This account was opened on April 4, 2013 and thecustomer signed the signature card for the account, which was clearly marked as a Bounce backChecking account. The signature card also includes a section acknowledging receipt of our disclosureswhich spell out the monthly service fee, the VISA check card daily limits of $100.00 for Point of Salepurchases and Cash withdrawals and states that a customer must request to convert the account to aregular checking account after 12 consecutive months of good standing.There are many scenarios that could have taken place based on the information provided as to thedenial of her attempted VISA check card transactions both while her account was in the Bounce Backchecking account and after it had been switched to the Ultimate Free checking account. Given the exactdates were not specified in the complaint along with the length of time before the complaint was filed;it is difficult to clearly determine the precise reasons for this occurring. Ms.~ states that she was inMeadville, PA in July 2014, right after her VA pension check was deposited, went to an ATM and wasunable to withdrawal $100.00. She contacted the Bank and was told that she could only withdrawal$50.00. We see that on August 1st, 2014, her VA and pension checks were deposited and a Point of Saledebit of $43.40 was processed at 10:05am. Given that she has $100.00 daily limit for Point of Sale andCash withdrawals on her Visa check card, this would have left her enough for a $50.00 ATM cashwithdrawal. At 2:33pm on August , she withdrew $43.00 plus the $2 Foreign ATM fee. We show nowithdrawals in Meadville, PA in July 2014.Sincerely,[redacted]Manager of Branch OperationsMain

Consumer

Response:

I made a mistake as of the date the date would've of been August 1, 2014. However, I couldn't make any withdrawals from the atm located in the [redacted] or at the [redacted] bank across the street from the Mall. However they charged my account for the atm fees, which I'm sure is recorded in their records. I called both the Ameriserv Main office 800 number for assisitance and the Johnstown area bank...No one helped me and I was told that I would have to wait until I go back to Johnstown to settle this matter....I was able to purchase some clothes on my debit/ check card that day. But still couldn't make a cash withdrawal from any atm machine in Meadville , Pa. Therefore my daughter [redacted] loaned me One hundred dollars and I wrote her a check which she deposited in her bank account in Meadville on the same day...She will witness to this being true and accurate for she was with me at the time when it all transpired....Her number is [redacted]...Also I had just closed my checking account with [redacted] and had no issues with any bad checks or whatever Ameriserv is trying to say....and I had that account with free checking for 3-4 yrs...So I totally disagree with their response it isn't true to facts....If needed I will find the old statements ...but you can get them from my bank as well...

Review: I explained to AmeriServ that from the website that accidentally put in a "Stop Payment Request" in on the webiste and it charged $37 and they refuse to refund this charge even though it was done by total accidental, and the website didn't even warn of this $37 charge nor did it actually stop the check in question, so basically I was charged for absoutely nothing.I just want my $37 back and I will be totally happy.Desired Settlement: I want my $37 refunded to my account [redacted] do not want anybody from AmeriServ to call me, I want emailed at "[redacted]"as I use email way more than I do my phone.

Business

Response:

See attached File

Dear Mr. [redacted]:

l have enclosed a copy of the response e-mail, as requested by Ms. [redacted]. She submitted a statement of the problem for a stop payment fee that was automatically charged to her account. She said the stop payment on a check was accidently placed while she was using our internet banking site. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me at [redacted].

Sincerely,

[redacted] Vice President Retail Operations

Refund of stop payment fees [redacted]

Dear Ms. [redacted]: : I am very sorry for the problem you had regarding the stop payment that you accidentally placed on your account, while using our internet banking site__ Our stop payment fees are-disclosed our schedule of fees; therefore, a stop payment placed using the internet incurs the same fees as if you visited a branch or called to place a stop payment. I apologize for the misunderstanding of our representative not initiating a refund when you explained what happened, and also that the stop payment never processed. Today, I processed a refund to your checking account, which will be credited tonight, August, 29, 2013. Thank you for your banking relationship with AmeriServ, and for letting us know there was a problem that was not resolved to your satisfaction. AmeriServ does continue to strive to provide quality customer service. I have also provided my telephone number, should you have any additional questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Operations AmeriServ Financial