Has anyone any personal Y2K stories to share?
Billing problems? Late Child Support payments?
DMV screw-ups? Problems kept under wraps at work?

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001

Answers

Here is what I suspect was a Y2K problem.

My home mortgage was with Flagstar Bank in Detroit, and payments were made without a hitch all through 1999. Then, starting with the January 2000 payment, they couldn't account for the transaction. For the next 4 months I went through hell.

I spoke with someone fluent in Ebonics and I be told they received the payment -- but it never clears my bank. Then I get dinged for a late payment. I ordered a stop payment and sent another check certified with return receipt.

Nobody signed the green card; I just get it back the mail.

Next month the same thing. I write letters to both Flagstar and the US Postal Service complaining and showing my copies of certified mail. The USPS is worthless, and Flagstar writes back saying everything has been corrected.

Companies start rejecting my checks, and I find out Flagstar reported negative credit information.

I kept getting late notices and I kept sending certified, calling and writing, and eventually built a 2 inch thick file of documentation. Some checks take 3 weeks or more to clear my bank even though they acknowledge receiving them on time. Each month introduces more screw- ups that never get resolved before new ones appear.

Then in June, I formally notify Flagstar of my intent to file suit and they quickly sell the note to another bank.

I can't get a loan accounting from Flagstar to see if the late fees have been reversed, and they were probably wrapped up in the sold note.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001

Thanks for your input. This was a widespread
problem at roll-over.

If you send a certified letter the credit
agency disputing the charges, they will
immediately change your credit status. They
do not want to get into a dispute between you
and your creditor.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001

Flagstar's stocks were downgraded from
strong buy to buy in the the first
months of the year 2000.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

Send a very detailed letter to the CEO of both banks, and CC to the Sec of State of each bank.
Details is names, dates and times of CSR spoken with and copies of all postal info.

Give them about 10 days to acknowledge and 20 days to get it resolved. I promise it will be resolved, or else the next step is the SEC and the FRB. And state that you will be contacting them next, along with your attorney.

Be very specific that you will consider them both personally responsible for libel if your credit rating is tainted. They must correct and notify all parties that have obtianed your credit info of their error. Failure to do so will result in a personal libel lawsuit, since they have been notified. Also request that you recieve compenstaion for postal expenses and time wasted.

Don't take no for an answer. I had problems with AT&T unversal Card, they are now in a class action lawsuit :)) So is Provdian Bank.

http://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/formpick.htm This is the SEC data base, look at their filings to get contact names and info.

Best of luck!

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2001