Banks returned check fees class action lawsuits overview:
- Who: Consumers recently filed class action lawsuits against Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank and Fifth Third Bank.
- Why: The class action lawsuits claim the banks unfairly charge fees to customers who deposit checks into their accounts that bounce.
- Where: The class action lawsuits were filed in U.S. federal courts.
Consumers recently filed multiple class action lawsuits against several banks over claims they unfairly charge consumers who deposit bad checks into their accounts.
The consumers argue it is unfair for the banks to charge them fees for checks they had no hand in issuing.
The complaints also cite a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) compliance bulletin from October 2022 stating that charging a blanket fee for depositing a bad check is an unfair act or practice.
BoA charges unfair fees to consumers who deposit bad checks, class action claims
A pair of consumers filed a class action lawsuit against Bank of America last month over claims the bank charges an unlawful $12 fee to individuals who deposit a check that bounces.
“By charging its customers significant fees in situations where the customer did nothing wrong and could not have avoided the fee through reasonable diligence, Bank of America acted in a manner that is unfair, oppressive and against public policy,” the class action says.
The class action lawsuit claims Bank of America is guilty of unjust enrichment, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and violations of California and Georgia consumer protection laws.
Wells Fargo customers ‘shocked’ by bounced check fees, class action says
A trio of consumers filed a class action lawsuit against Wells Fargo over claims the bank unfairly charges customers on the receiving end of a bad check.
The consumers argue they were shocked after Wells Fargo charged them deposited item return unpaid fees.
“Because the depositor could not have reasonably known the check was bad, it is unfair to charge the check recipient a fee for returning the check,” the class action states.
Class action says Citibank unfairly charges fees for bounced checks
A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Citibank over claims the bank unfairly charges a fee to customers who have a bad check deposited into their account.
The consumer argues it is wrong to charge customers a fee as they had no hand in writing the check and could not have known it would bounce.
“By charging its customers significant fees in situations where the customer did nothing wrong and could not have avoided the fee through reasonable diligence, Citibank acted in a manner that is unfair, oppressive, and against public policy,” the class action claims.
Chase Bank unfairly charges consumers who deposit bad checks, class action alleges
A group of consumers filed a class action lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase over claims the bank unfairly charges consumers who deposit a check that bounces.
The consumers argue Chase charges its customers deposited item return fees if they deposit a bad check and has all but acknowledged the charge is predatory by removing a disclosure for the fee in March 2023.
“There was nothing plaintiffs could do to avoid — or even anticipate — a deposited item returned fee assessed by Chase at the time the deposit was returned,” the class action states.
Class action aims Fifth Third unfairly charges individuals for bad checks
A trio of consumers filed a class action lawsuit against Cincinnati-based Fifth Third Bank earlier this month over claims the bank unfairly charges individuals who receive bad checks.
The consumers argue Fifth Third acts in a manner that is against public policy, oppressive and unfair by charging a fee to consumers who deposit a check that bounces.
“By charging these return deposit item fees, Fifth Third unfairly targeted its customers with financial penalties for faulty checks the customers had no hand in issuing,” the class action states.
Have you been charged a fee after depositing what turned out to be a bad check? Let us know in the comments.
Don’t Miss Out!
Check out our list of Class Action Lawsuits and Class Action Settlements you may qualify to join!
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
- AmEx class action claims company shares credit card applicant data with Facebook
- Bank of America class action claims bank failed to send statements yet enforced debts
- Wells Fargo hit with recent class actions, agrees to settlement
- American Express data breach exposes customer names, card numbers, more
