Hey everyone, here is a slightly bizarre case.

So Back in February 2008 I was let go from a bank due to something absolutely stupid. Anyway, in March when I went in to close out my checking account and my safe deposit box keys the Customer Service Manager wrote on one of her cards "free safe deposit box rent for life" w/ her employee number and signed her name.

(They took an extra 20 days to close out my checking account, which resulted in numerous over draft fees because they didn't switch it to a free account, it was still the "good" account which charges you a ridiculous amount if you don't have a minimum balance in there, but that's besides the point.)

So a week ago I get this bill saying my safe deposit box rent is due in the amount of $35.00. I faxed a copy of the bill, and a copy of the card with her statement on it (front/back) to them on Wednesday. I called this morning to follow up. The CSM called me back and said "I don't remember writing that, I have no clue what you're talking about." and I said "well, you wrote it in March before I left for AZ when I came in to close my checking." and she said "well, I spoke to the manager and he said that its not specific enough and since it doesn't have a specific box number we can't honor it."

Is this not a written contract of some sort? Do I have any case here, or should I just hand them my keys and be done with them? Any advice on what should I do or what course of action I should take? I told her I'd bring the keys in when I could, but that I didn't want to be charged.

Send them a certified letter with a copy of the customer service manager's card and signature, as well as the keys to the box. Explain that you will not be paying the bill for the safety deposit box, as per the signed card and that you are returning the keys to avoid any more confusion.

That way I wouldn't have to go in... but I also need to close out my checking account again. When they waited so long and I received the OD fees, the only way to get the little bit of money I had in there back was to reinstate my account as a free account. They're horrible people. I really can't stand the management at that bank.