Bank of America is a bank that was founded in San Francisco in 1998 when NationsBank acquired Bank America, and the joint venture came to be what we now know as the Bank of America. It is one of the largest banking and financial services corporations in the United States and is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, The Vanguard Group, and BlackRock.
Bank of America is one of the most sued banks and some of the lawsuits have made the news. Recently, the issues have been related to fraud and scammers using the bank's platform to take advantage of its customers. Many feel that the bank should do more to prevent and protect its customers.
If you have an issue with a Bank of America branch or have a problem regarding online banking, this article will detail how to contact the bank and, if you can't reach a resolution with the bank, pursue legal action in small claims court.
Remember, Dispute can help you generate and send out a demand letter or small claims filing in minutes from your phone or computer.
Bank of America's Customer Support
It's best practice to at least attempt to resolve your issue with Bank of America through their customer service team before you decide to take any legal action. That said, you may want to prepare for a slog. Many users report that the Bank of America customer support team is difficult to get in touch with, slow to respond, and unsympathetic to complaints.
One reason for slow customer support is that Bank of America has an outsourced customer support center. As a result, you won’t be talking to the bank's staff directly, but rather to a customer service contractor who has limited, second-hand knowledge of how the bank operates. To make things more difficult, representatives at Bank of America call centers often are provided strict scripts and guidelines they are forced to follow. If an issue can't be resolved using these scripts, a representative may have to consult a supervisor or manager before being able to assist with a more complicated request. So, even if the issue at hand is relatively simple, it may be difficult to get through to a customer service representative who can help you, and they might not be able to resolve your issue right away.
Since Bank of America customer service is distributed across various call centers, there are specific phone numbers for different issues and countries. You can find all the relevant contact information on the company’s Contact Us page.
If you have reached out to Bank of America but still have not resolved the issue, small claims court is a fast and easy way to get your voice heard. Lawyers are often not permitted in small claims court, so you can save money by following this route.
In many states, before you can take Bank of America to court, you must send them a demand letter. This is a letter you write to inform the company that they must address your complaint or if they refuse, for them to pay you what you're owed.
A demand letter should meet certain criteria. Before sending it over to Bank of America, make sure it:
- States the full name and address of the banking institution where you have a business relationship
- Includes your name and address as well as your account number
- Explains the nature of your complaint. This is an important part and you should include specific details about what happened and how the company has harmed you
- Provides a detailed explanation of how you’d like the complaint to be resolved. For example, if Bank of America refuses to remove fees, ask for a refund or some type of consideration that makes sense given the situation
- Is written in a professional tone without being overly emotional or aggressive toward the recipient
After sending the demand letter, be sure to keep a copy of everything you've sent the company as well as any responses you receive. Sending the letter through a method that provides a tracking number can help provide evidence for court later.
And remember, Dispute can help you generate and send a demand letter via USPS 2-day shipping (with a tracking number attached) in just minutes from your phone or computer.
How Dispute Can Help You Sue Bank of America In Small Claims Court
The legal process for suing Bank of America in a small claims court can get complicated even if it's easier than a civil court. Dipute is here to offer you a faster and simpler yet equally effective alternative. With us, you don’t need to worry yourself with tedious bureaucracy. Our software can help you sue Bank of America in small claims court by generating and notarizing a court filing for you in minutes.
Here’s how you can file a claim against Bank of America in a few easy steps:
1. Head to our website to access our software:
2. Click "Get Started" and choose the "Small Claims" service (or another if you'd like to start somewhere else).
3. Enter your case information including your info, the defendant's info and a summary of the issue.
4. Choose the courthouse where you want to file, answer their form's specific questions, and sign the document.Now you're ready to file a case directly with the court from your phone or computer. If you have any questions about filing a small claims case against Bank of America or accessing Dispute's software, please reach out and contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who is Bank of America's Registered Agent?
- The Registered Agent may vary depending on who you're filing against, and where you are filing. Bank of America's Registered Agent is the Corporation Trust Company. You can find their information below.
Do I need a lawyer for Small Claims Court?
- Not necessarily. One of the easier things about small claims court is that lawyers aren’t usually required. This may make the small claims process less intimidating and more affordable. But, still, the small claims process can get complicated. Consider filing through Dispute, as we simplify the small process with our software.
How much does it cost to file a Small Claims Case?
- Court Filing Fees: The amount you will pay to file a small claims lawsuit depends on how much you are suing for and where you are suing. You can expect to pay between $30 to $400 to file the lawsuit. _If you cannot afford to pay court fees, you can ask the court to waive the fees. _Dispute charges a small fee to help generate, sign and/or file any documents on your behalf.
- Serving Costs: Once the lawsuit is filed, you must notify them that you have sued them. This is called "serving." Serving Costs can range from $20-100 depending on the local area.
If you have any questions about filing a small claims case against Bank of America or accessing Dispute's software, please reach out and contact us.