Due a bit of mis-communication, when I tried to close my US bank account it was left open with a $1 balance.
After 12 months the bank apparently charges a $10 inactivity fee. It’s highly unlikely I’m going to use this account in the next 12 months (I’m in England). What happens? Will I go $9 overdrawn? And then get charged unauthorised overdraft fees (etc)? Will this go on forever if I just leave it?
Why don’t you ask your bank?
The short answer is probably yes.
The longer answer is if you can, you need to talk to your bank on the phone, talk to a manager, and prove that you tried to close the account, and that it wasn’t done.
Explain that you are out of the country, and they should have no problems closing the account for you.
They will try to pressure you into putting some money in there, just in case. Resist, be strong, and make sure that before you get off the phone with them, they have emailed you proof that you can store somewhere safe that they closed the account.
Make sure to very obviously make a note of the manager’s name, department, and personal phone extension.
Good luck. Do NOT leave this until they start charging you - they can and will, and it will be ridiculous trying to sort it out after the fact.
Because they’re closed.
Why answer a question with a question?
Do you mean “US Bank” or “my bank account in the US” because US Bank is very much open and has 24 hour phone lines.
Either way, it’s banking hours right now in the states, you could call right now, no one is closed.
If you let the account go negative, they could ding your US credit report. That may not matter if you never return to the US. But if you do, it could be messy if you try to establish another account, or get a loan.
Thanks all, I’ll just get it closed then.
It’s a bank in Colorado, First Bank I think. I did actually tell a porky because I couldn’t be bothered explaining myself. This is GQ, I wasn’t looking for advice I was seeking a factual answer from the users. I didn’t phone the bank because I’m in the UK and it would cost me a lot to call from here, also I’m British and sometimes I find that I have trouble making myself understood over the phone. They aren’t quick to respond to emails either. I hope that’s ok.