ComplaintsforPeoples Bank

• Initial Complaint

  03/15/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  The bank withdrew two $35 force overdraft charges on my account. The account has not been close to an overdraft situation. I called the corporate office and they admitted these charges should not have been made and they told me the local branch would refund them. He said the local branch would call me to take care of this. The local branch did not. I called the number again and spoke with the same person who said he would reach out again to the branch to get it resolved and that the branch would contact me. It's been a week now and I've not heard from anyone and the charges are still on my account. I am a small business that sells low margin items. $70 means a lot of sales to cover what this bank has now stolen from me. I've already opened another account at a different bank and will be closing this one as soon as a couple more items clear. Be warned that People Bank is another of those banks with fraudulent charges against accounts.

  Business response

  03/25/2024

  On March 15, 2024, Peoples Bank received the referenced Better Business Bureau (“BBB”) complaint.  As a resolution to the complaint, the customer requests that Peoples refund certain bank fees for overdrafts.
  
  Peoples has conducted a thorough review of both the complaint and the related customer relationship.  Based upon that review, Peoples has refunded the customer the disputed overdraft fees and conducted outreach to the customer regarding the matter.  Peoples considers this complaint resolved.

• Initial Complaint

  01/22/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  As a business account one would expect to be able to access their funds. They recently Purchase my Financial institution. My card that has been active for years gets shut off without explanation. Also as a business having cash available is important. People's bank feels three hundred and eight dollars is sufficient. Takes an act of congress to get that limit Increased. By far the worst financial institution to put your money in. Call 3 different branches for over 2 and a 1/2 hours. Trying to get someone on the phone but just get an automated service. People need to be aware of a shady practices.

  Business response

  02/02/2024

  On January 22, 2024, Peoples Bank (“Peoples”) received the above referenced Better Business Bureau (“BBB”) complaint.  As a resolution to the complaint, the customer requests that Peoples provide an explanation regarding access to the customer’s funds.
  
  Peoples has conducted a thorough review of both the complaint and the related customer relationship.  Based upon that review, Peoples has responded directly to the customer regarding the complaint.  Peoples considers this complaint resolved.

  Customer response

  02/02/2024

   

  ter Business Bureau:

  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  [Provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.]

   

  there has been zero communication from peoples bank! They have not reached out or spoke to me in any form!
  Regards,
  
  ******* ****

  Business response

  02/05/2024

  A formal response letter has been mailed to the customer.  A copy of the formal response letter has also been issued via overnight delivery, to ensure prompt delivery.   

• Initial Complaint

  09/11/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 8/31/23 peoples bank sent ** auto recovery to repo my vehicle from tim short auto where my vehicle is being worked on. After I made contact with the bank they told me that I was 58 days behind on late fees and owed two payments I was told in order for me to get my car back I had to wait until they got an email from the tow company with the bill, I was told they didnt know where my vehicle was I paid one full payment on 8/31/23 even though i had no knowlege of its whereabouts and on 9/1/23 I was told that I needed to pay another full payment, late fees and a 599 towing fee in order to get my vehicle back. My wife and i make 40000 a year and have 2 chikdren in the home I drained us and borrowed to get the $1295 and paid it in full on 9/1/23 at 4:05 but because they closed at 4:00pm I would not be informed on where my vehicle was. On 9/5/23 I was told where it was. I feel like I was done wrong intentionally and price gouging was certainly a factor This bank knew my vehicle was in the shop and I have been paying my late fees with each month's payment but when i questioned why they hadnt been paid i was told i had to specify where i wanted my extra 10 to go and they were applying it to my principle balance They later used it against me when I was thinking I was paying my late fee each month. How was i supposed to know if i give them a payment slip that says 579.66 by this date 589.66 after this date so i give 590. It speaks for itself Now with all my payments and fees paid I am asking for help this is bad business at it's best and they need to be held accountable my car was towed less than ten miles and we had to overdraft accounts to pay the tow of 599 and a 150 release fee and 115 for it being there til Tuesday. Nothing but breaking us rather than helping we've always paid and if we are abviously in a spot at the moment why would you add to it so extremely I feel like this company is not out to help and they are not honest with customer service.

  Business response

  09/20/2023

  September 20, 2023
  
  
  **** ******************
  ***** ****** Better Business Bureau
  **** ********* ***** **
  Canton, OH 44703
  
  Re: BBB Complaint ID ********
  
  Dear Ms. ******* 
  
  On September 11, 2023, Peoples Bank (“Peoples”) received the above referenced Better Business Bureau (“BBB”) complaint. 
  
  Peoples has conducted a thorough review of both the complaint and the related loan account.  Based upon that review, Peoples has determined the loan history is correct and procedure was followed for vehicle repossession.  Peoples considers this complaint resolved.
  
  Respectfully,
  
  **** ****** Assistant Vice President, Director of Client Advocacy

  Customer response

  09/23/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID 20578228, and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  [Provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.]
  
  Regards, I am not satisfied with the banks response because they need to explain or show me records of why I was charged 599.00 for towing fees and how they are able to also make me pay late fees when I was paying the late fee but they weren't applying it to my account? I think this bank is nothing but a rip off and needs to be investigated to the fullest extent of how they are ripping off their customers. I had all my money paid on Friday and wasn't notified of where my vehicle was until Tuesday which caused me to have to pay storage for another three days with all my money paid in full. Someone needs to explain why this is ok and lawfully correct. The law in the state of ******** clearly says I have the right to know where my vehicle is at and they failed to provide that information when I paid all payments late fees and towing fees that I would like to see that was paid to Appalachian Auto Recovery (599.00) I think the bank should have been responsible for all fees once they got my money to release my vehicle because they failed to tell me where it was at.
  
  ******* ********

  Business response

  09/27/2023

  September 27, 2023
  
  
  Via: ******************
  
  ***** ****** ****** ******** ****** **** ********* ***** ** ******* ** ***** *** *** ********* ** ******** **** *** *******
  On September 25, 2023, Peoples Bank (“Peoples”) received notification that the consumer in this complaint has reviewed the resolution proposed by Peoples Bank, but determined that it would not be satisfactory. 
  
  Peoples conducted additional outreach to the consumer and reached a mutual understanding with respect to the events that transpired.  Peoples has provided additional consumer assistance to the borrower.  Peoples considers this complaint resolved.
  
  Respectfully,
  
  **** ****** Assistant Vice President, Director of Client Advocacy

• Initial Complaint

  08/21/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On June 12, 2023 I financed a **** ****** thru Peoples Bank Branch in Russell, Ky ( near Ashland,Ky). They were to mail me the payment coupon booklet that I could use to make my payments with, showing that I had indeed made each payment. As of today’s date 8/17/2023 I still have not received anything. I have called the bank several times and have been told they were in the mail and would take 7-10 days to receive them, called again and was told they had my wrong address ( they didn’t as I had received other notifications from same bank) that it was corrected and the payment booklets were now mailed to the correct address. Since I didn’t receive anything I called again this morning 8-17-2023 and was advised the payment booklet would be ordered and mailed within 2-3 weeks. Please resolve this issue for me as I am trying very hard to key credit rating in good standing and I just do not trust anything this bank is telling me at this point. I have already made one payment without a payment coupon and now my second payment is due again without a payment coupon and I’m fearful that I am going to be scammed out of these two payments. I am 76 years old and living on a fixed income so I just cannot afford any losses of income. Thank you

  Business response

  08/31/2023

  On August 21, 2023, Peoples Bank (“Peoples”) received the above referenced Better Business Bureau (“BBB”) complaint.  As a resolution to the complaint, the customer requests that Peoples provide a coupon payment book for an auto loan.
  
  Peoples has conducted a thorough review of both the complaint and the related customer relationship.  Based upon that review, Peoples determined that the delay the customer experienced in receiving a payment book for an auto loan was due to an address error at the auto dealership.  Peoples has conducted outreach to with this customer, corrected the address issue and requested a new coupon payment booklet.  Peoples has also provided verification to the customer that payments made to date on the loan have been applied correctly.  Peoples apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused the customer. 
  
  Peoples considers this complaint resolved.

• Initial Complaint

  07/18/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My husband and I had just under 6 acres of property. We gave our daughter 2 acres, we had the land surveyed. New deeds made etc. She is going to put a mobile home on the property. In May we asked Peoples Bank to release her property from our mortgage. After a lengthy review they told us we would have to either pay $11,000 or refinance to have it removed because they said our property wasnt worth enough to have the acreage removed, even though the acres owned by our daughter is just land with nothing on it. They said if we were confident enough we could have it appraised and if it appraised for enough they would refinance and release it. We owed $97,000 on our original loan. They told us they could potentially give us cash out if our property appraised for enough. Before the appraisal even came back they changed the loan documents stating the most they would loan is $103,000 which would only pay off current mortgage and closing costs. I had to call multiple times to even find out why that was changed. We said okay just move forward with refi. Our appraisal come back for $162,000. They still refused to release the property. The title search and appraisal was completed June 12, 2023. Closing was scheduled and changed twice without explanation. We finally closed on July 6, 2023. We were told the land would be released by the titile company on July 11,2023. Still wasn't released. Contacted county recorder and she has not received anything so she suggested calling title company. Title company says the bank will release title. Phone calls unanswered emails and text messages sent. Finally get an email that says it could take 30 days to release said property between the bank and recorder office. Another email says they will check with the "closing dept" to see when it will be released. I never received but 2 actually phone conversations during this whole ordeal. No return phone calls. Daughter is 8 months pregnant living in camper because the land is not released.

  Business response

  07/28/2023

  Re: BBB Complaint ID ********
  
  Dear Ms. Hickle,
  
  On July 18, 2023, Peoples Bank (“Peoples”) received the above referenced Better Business Bureau (“BBB”) complaint.  As a resolution to the complaint, the customer requests that Peoples complete the release of property in connection with a refinanced loan.
  
  Peoples has conducted a thorough review of both the complaint and the related loan account.  Based upon that review, Peoples has determined that the release of property subject to this complaint was processed in a timely manner.  Peoples has communicated the timeline required to process a real estate release to the customer and notified the customer that the release had been sent for recording.  Peoples considers this complaint resolved.
  
  Respectfully,
  
  
  Peoples Bank

• Initial Complaint

  04/24/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I opened up two accounts at Peoples Bank about one year ago. When the banker asked me if I wanted overdraft protection, I said no. However, one of my accounts was a business account and that automatically comes with overdraft protection. The banker did not tell me this. There was a mistake made at ****** and my bank was charged for purchases that I made. I had changed my bank account information at ******, but it didn't go through, and my account at Peoples was charged with overdrafts. There was a purchase on March 1, 2023 of $23.56. There were two purchases on March 6, 2023: $37.33 and 40.01. Presently my account is overdrawn $267.06. The amount of $100.90 is for purchases and the amount of $166.16 is for bank fees for overdrafts. I'm asking that Peoples Bank refund me $166.16, since they didn't tell me that I had to have overdraft protection.

  Business response

  04/28/2023

  On April 24, 2023, Peoples Bank (“Peoples”) received the above referenced Better Business Bureau
  (“BBB”) complaint. As a resolution to the complaint, the customer requests that Peoples refund
  certain bank fees for overdrafts.
  Peoples has conducted a thorough review of both the complaint and the related customer relationship.
  Based upon that review, Peoples has refunded the customer the disputed overdraft fees and conducted
  outreach to the customer regarding the matter. Peoples considers this complaint resolved.
  

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  03/21/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  15 U.S code 1692 (g) validation of debt 15 U.S code 1692d harassment and abuse 15 U.S code 1692e False or misleading representations 15 U.S code 1692f-Unfair practices Under 15 U.S code 1692k civil liability

  Business response

  03/30/2023

  Please see attached response letter.

• Initial Complaint

  09/19/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  People's bank bought out ******* bank where I had opened a checking account. Since people took over they have caused me so many inconveniences that have cost me not only financially and mentally but also has took time away from my fulltime career. They first placed me in an account where I had to maintain a balance of at least a couple thousand dollars or their bank would charge me numerous fees per month. The way I found out was reviewing my statement. People's bank did not fix their mistake until I had to take time away from work to call in and have them put me in a proper checking account for my financial situation. Unlike ******* peoples bank refuses to print off checks they require you purchase checks or pay them money to pay your bills for you. Then they shut down the bank branch that was located in ********** WV. Which makes the closest bank branch ********* WV. They also placed a sign on the atm located in ********** stating that the atm would only be in operation until July 11th 2022. This makes me drive 40 minutes one way to be able to do any banking or withdraw money without a fee. So I called the bank several times to complain. They told me the atm is still operational in **********. I go to church on sundays in ********** so I stop to get my cash for the week on Sunday bc that is the only day im usually there bc I work fulltime in Gilmer county. I've stopped the last 3 sundays to withdraw money from the atm in ********** and each time it has a message that says sorry this machine is temporarily out of service. Since people bank has took over they have only been an inconvenience. When I called in to complain and get refunded for all of the atm fees that I have incurred they were not helpful. It was not until I said that I would call back everyday call their president office as well as file a complaint with the bbb that they actually called me back and refunded the fees. The atm wasn't working today. I want them held accountable to provide better service.

  Business response

  09/29/2022

  Please see attached response from Peoples Bank.

• Initial Complaint

  05/16/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  These idiots Renee ******* of Peoples Premium Finance, located at *** ** ********** ***** **** ***** ****** ** ***** telephone number ***** ******** email ********************** and her sidekick Mike ******* ** ***** ********* ********* ****** keep playing games with us, even though we switched our bank accounts for premium withdrawal 2 months ago, and they both acknowledged this change in writing and withdrew premium funds many times, they still sent us an erroneous and credit-damaging NOTICE OF INTENT TO CANCEL INSURANCE intended to hurt our ability and chances to obtain insurance in the future.

  Business response

  06/06/2022

  Please find the response from Peoples Premium Finance attached.

  Customer response

  06/07/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  Throughout their response letter they admit that they made mistakes of a delicate financial nature, but this is small compensation for the pain and suffering of illegally attempting to cancel our vital insurance plan due to their incompetence and/or evil intentions. 

  
  

  For example they write in their own letter "On April 4, 2022, the returned draft was mistakenly resubmitted for processing to Complainant’s account ending in ****." 

  
  

  This is only one admission of many "mistakes," and we require some tangible compensation thereof. 

  
  

  To add insult to injury, this insurance company has today sent us a Notice of Non-Renewal of our Insurance Policy in September 2022.  

  
  Regards,
  
  Rahul *********

• Initial Complaint

  12/17/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Return Money taken from my account $6.00 12/03/21, , Last month Nov, 2021 I called about a service charge $6.00 and was told NEW BANK OWNERS (PEOPLES BANK ) changed my Account Type From SENIOR BASIC CHECKING to Personal Checking and needs me to have $500.00 balance to avoid this service charge so I added DEPOSIT $467.00 bringing Balance to $502.46 electronic that same day to put it over $500.00 , Now this month they took another $6.00 bringing my Balance BACK under $500 to $496.46 so they can charge me again now. This looks like a scheme to me to keep charging me $6 over and over again after i did what they ask to avoid service charges.. When I got a letter from PB back a few months ago, they told me nothing would change and not to worry. They lied to me because they changed my SENIOR BASIC CHECKING ACCT to a PERSONAL CHECKING ACCT WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE, AND i DO NOT USE CHECKS. I had an account here AT ******* ******* since 2015 and never a problem and now two months in a row i was charged service fee even after I fixed the problem. Please refund my $6.00 and tell me how I can close this account online or by phone or Fax . I have called several times ************ Beginning Monday Dec. 13 2021 and Daily leaving messages to call me with no answer and nobody will call me back. I used the SECURE Message System Dec, 13 21, and I even Called the Main Branch in Marietta OHIO on 12/15 2021, and they could not reach the location at Madison WV. They ( OHIO ) told me they would have to send them ( Madison, WV, an email to call me and that was two days ago. I live two hours away from this bank and can not drive that far. ******* ******* ******* * *********** ** * ************

  Business response

  12/27/2021

  Please find Peoples response attached.

  Customer response

  01/07/2022

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

  Better Business Bureau:

  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint I* ********, and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  The business has performed this action and I consider this complaint resolved.

  Regards,

  ******* *******

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩