HOUSTON – A lawsuit filed in Harris County alleges that several banks overcharged their customers, including some members of the U.S. military.
"I ended up being almost between $300 to $500 negative," said retired Army Staff Sergeant Jesus Sanchez.
Sanchez banks with Fort Hood National Bank in Kileen. He is one of 20 plaintiffs named in the lawsuit against Fort Hood National Bank, First National Bank of Texas, First Convenience Bank, and First Community.
"They would take the highest amount, the highest check, first out of a person's account regardless when that transaction actually occurred," said attorney Bill Voss.
He called the process a high low system.
The men and women who have joined the lawsuit said that over the years, they racked up thousands in monthly bank fees.
"The average that we're seeing, anywhere from $500 to $3,000 a month in overdraft charges," said Voss.
In a statement sent to KPRC Local 2, attorney Bill Helfand, who is representing the banks, said, "The Bank complies strictly with both the laws governing our relationship with our customers as well as our agreements with those customers. Our customer agreements are regularly reviewed by the United State Comptroller of the Currency and have been found to be in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations."