Comments on: How To Close An Account At Washington Mutual

By: David

David — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:06:37 +0000

I had to fight for over 30 minutes with Wamu to close a checkings account and two find out Wamu closed without permission on of my other accounts. I had to even fight with the supervisor before getting anything done. Never again.

By: Chuck Spidell

Chuck Spidell — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 03:31:58 +0000

Update: I wrote the WAMU a letter to the previously mentioned address. I received a bank check last week. There was no letter stating that my account has been closed but at least got the check.

By: Walt

Walt — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:54:55 +0000

I did eventually get my money, but only after speaking to a supervisor. It seems WaMu “never received” my registered letter with the notarized signature! To their credit once the supervisor got involved it only took three days of phone calls and faxes back-and-forth to get them to cut a check. I’m amazed the Fed still allows these guys to pretend to be a bank.

By: philip

philip — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:14:59 +0000

Hi Walt, WaMu is doing the same thing to me. They told me to send them a notarized letter, which I did, and now they say they want me to send notarized “confirmation of identification” whatever that is. Did you ever get your money back from these thieving bastards?

By: Walt

Walt — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 12:25:46 +0000

@ James

That’s a load of rubbish. They’ve done it for me. Ask to speak to a supervisor.

By: james

james — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 06:31:36 +0000

I have just moved to canada. Are they able to send checks outside of U.S? one cust. service lady told me no, they can only send it to U.S address?…is this true?

By: Chuck Spidell

Chuck Spidell — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:31:36 +0000

That’s the exact reason I’m done with this corporate bank. At one point, I had 20 overdraft changes while a paycheck was being processed. I called to see if they could withdrawal at least one of the charges. Instead, they tried to sell me the overdraft protection, which I already had. Screw the big corporate model, I’ve gone with the local bank.

By: Chuck Spidell

Chuck Spidell — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:26:10 +0000

Here’s the California branch phone as well: (866) 596-7643

By: Chuck Spidell

Chuck Spidell — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:25:27 +0000

Hey people, I just got off the phone to close my WAMU account that was opened in California. Note the PO Box is different below:

Washington Mutual BBM
PO Box 659516
San Antonio TX, 78265-9588

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:47:02 +0000

I’ve mailed them at the address in the original post two weeks ago and I’m still waiting for a reply. I’m in CA, and the chase branches there say they can’t do anything to close my accounts.

By: Steven

Steven — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 22:54:53 +0000

The address they gave me was
PO Box 659516
San Antonio TX 78265-9588

As you can see the zip code matches the one in the article not the one they gave me. Thanks for writing it.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:34:37 +0000

I wish I had read this before. I just called WAMU about them charging me $ 5.00 every month because I only had a savings account left with them so basically I was paying them every month. I was furious! I called a stupid customer service rep who was like, “Maam, I’m sorry but I cannot refund you those fees.” I hate WAMU and they deserve to go under.

By: james

james — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:55:04 +0000

I had problems closing my credit card account with Wamu. I zeroed the ballance at the beginning of the month and called the number on the back of the card requesting to close the account. I then received a bill one month later on interest for five dollars. I went to a teller to pay that after being told on the phone that I was being charged on the balance PRIOR to closing the account. Now I’m still showing the account to be open on line, and am wondering if I’ll be charged interest on the five dollar balance. Will this go forever?

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:28:11 +0000

FNBO has a better rate than E*Trade (2.6 vs. 2.15), so I would pick that one if the broker aspect doesn’t appeal to you. I haven’t had any problems with FNBO so far.

By: Melanie

Melanie — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:26:04 +0000

Jim: I’ve been reading your all your banking reviews. They’ve been so helpful. I’m currently a wamu customer too but I’m planning to close my accounts now that they’re becoming chase (had a bad experience with a chase cc a few years ago that didn’t instill much confidence in their account security). I’m just waiting for my Savings for Success account to mature next month. Anyway, do you still prefer FNBO now that you’ve had it for a while? I’m trying to decide between them and e*trade. I’ve also considered ING Direct but they’re rates just don’t compete. TIA!