Fresh out of BofA - signature card woes

[Gonzo]

Hello all,

As I've been lurking in these forums for quite some time now and I've decided it's high time to begin to apply my remedy and process. The first step I've undertaken was to notify Bank of America that I will from now on out be conducting all transactions on my account in "Transactions demanded in lawful money pursuant to Title 12, U.S.C. subsection 411"

I attempted to put the aforementioned verbiage: specifically "All transactions demanded in lawful money per 12 U.S.C. ? 411" on a freshly acquired signature card before executing it with the personal banker. She asked me what the verbiage was for and I told her that is was a reservation of rights (kinda), and that it may be for tax purposes pertaining to my account.

After numerous calls to the help desk (where they looked up, and read the code when I gave them the URL), and eventually to the legal department (which is where I could see the gears turning in her head, and a flustered look) she informed me that "signature cards my not be modified for any customer". All while showing me a screen on her computer that had that clause as a bullet point under a larger "Risk Management" heading. I informed her that the specific verbiage said "for" and not "by" any customer, but in either case she was unpersuaded, so to avoid an escalation to a verbal argument about the importance of semantics I thanked her for her help and left the branch.

Now at this point I still have the signature card with the hand written verbiage on it so what, if any, methods or recourse do I have to either persuade them to take it, and provide me a notarized copy, or the laws, codes, statutes, ordinances, or case-law that I can cite to effectively shove it down their throats? Bear in mind that I currently have an account with them, and a copy of the signature card I executed back in 2007 without anything other than my naked signature.

Many thanks to the brain trust here, as i'm learning tons since I've come across this site.

-Gonzo

[David Merrill]

Tell them it is part of your Signature. If that doesn't fly make it your signature for banking purposes. Sign the new Signature Card "Lawful Money" or "Lawful Money Demanded". Then of course you will sign all your checks and withdrawal slips etc. that way. Also, to be fair change all your accounts to non-interest bearing accounts. If they cannot use your funds for fractional lending you should not be profiting by getting interest from them.

[Gonzo]

I will try that either today or tomorrow. I did do a deposit yesterday after returning to the branch - where they looked at me like i had two heads when I walked back in - as I had forgotten I to deposit a check.

They must have thought I was there to cause more strife, and in my heart I wanted "win", so on the back of the check in the endorsement section I signed my name (which is in congruence with the current signature card), under which I wrote in "redeemed lawful money pursuant to USC 12, SS 411, Deposit for credit on account". They took it, and its posted as of today, so despite the personal bankers insistence that changing my signature card "would change nothing", they as of yesterday would not allow me to put in that specific verbiage.

I will tell them that the verbiage is part of my signature, but this brings up another question inre: "True Name" vs. "LEGAL NAME", which is this. When I sign as "First Last, All transactions demanded in lawful money per Title 12, USC SS 411" is this how I will from then forward have to sign, as I did yesterday? The next, more for confirmation, would a stamp with that specific clause affixed with a transcription of my "First Last" signature fufill the requirement for endorsement of checks for deposit?

And finally, the best site to get such a stamp made? Preferably where I can upload my signature to include, and get my choice of colors (apparently BOA will not take Red Ink signatures "because they wont scan" - which after 14 years in the IT field I presume to be bullshit.

[EZrhythm]

You may go back and speak to the manager.
If no satisfaction, you may tell them that you want to speak to the regional/district manager.
Usually one obtains satisfaction when they seek someone higher on the ladder rungs.

Record your NOTICE of the demand in a public venue (newspaper, National Republic Registry , etc.) and then issue certified copies to the bank.

[Freed Gerdes]

More BofA problems. Last time I reported that my 'Personal Banker' refused to provide a signature card for me to modify, and pretended (perhaps?) ignorance of 12USC411. Since then I recorded my demand with the county Register of Deeds and sent BofA a certified copy. Today I received a letter from the Banking Center Manager II with the following amazing text:
Dear Mr Gerdes:
We are in receipt of the purported Notice and Demand for Lawful Money. Please be advised that this document has no legal relevance and, therefore, no action has been taken or is required by the bank. We are therefore returning this document to you and consider the matter closed.
Sincerely, Anthony Petrella

So BofA did not (could not) R4C my demand because of our ongoing contractual relationship, so they just said it is irrelevant and they are ignoring it.
From this I conclude that:
1. BofA has confirmed that they got my demand.
2. BofA has no intent to comply with the law.
3. What BofA thinks is of no great importance to me; I will proceed as if they agreed to my demand.
4. It appears that the 12USC411 crowd is beginning to put pressure on the IRS, and they are stalling harder to discourage any more slaves from escaping the plantation.

What does the brain trust think of BofA's response?

Freed Gerdes

post edit: Have not heard from E*Trade Financial, who got the same certified copy of my demand. Sprott Global Resource Investments, LLC took my demand cheerfully. Heh.

[shikamaru]

You may go back and speak to the manager.
If no satisfaction, you may tell them that you want to speak to the regional/district manager.
Usually one obtains satisfaction when they seek someone higher on the ladder rungs.

Record your NOTICE of the demand in a public venue (newspaper, National Republic Registry , etc.) and then issue certified copies to the bank.

That's hardcore .
I like it.

[David Merrill]

Get a stamp and start signing with the stamp only. If your bank complains tell them to let you put that on your signature card so that the stamp alone is your Authorized Signature.

[cernicolo]

i'm new here, so i may be missing something critical. The whole premise from my perspective is to make your demand known. If BoA has returned to you confirmation the institution has received your demand, what can the IRS say regarding the matter? Your demand was made manifest and law is final in the matter at that point? Is this what is key, the demand, or is the acceptance also requisite for the process?

[Freed Gerdes]

For Shikamaru: the BofA response seems hardcore to me; which part do you like?
For David: I am retired, and the only 'checks' I get are Social Security checks, which are automatic deposits, ie, no check ever appears. So the account needs to have the demand established above the level of any single transaction. The security trading accounts likewise automatically transfer cash balances into a linked account whenever I sell a stock, which they then report on a 1099, and the IRS wants me to pay capital gains on the sale; again no 'check' involved. I have now noticed the three banking institutions that I deal with, including a certified copy of my demand, on file with the Register of Deeds. my plan was to next write a short note to the IRS to attach to my 2012 tax return, explaining that I am no longer in contract with the Federal Reserve, and thus have no income from taxable sources, so this will be the last tax return I will file. This letter, and its attendant documentation, will sustain the rebuttable presumption that my taxable income will be zero for all future years. Sincerely, FWG, ex-taxpayer. So the BofA response is a puzzlement. I am inclined to write to the president of BofA, with a copy to the Richmond Federal Reserve. Suggestions?

post edit: The BofA account agreement clearly states that the bank has a policy of ignoring anything you write on the back of the check!
I have to assume that their response is designed to encourage me to take my business elsewhere...

[shikamaru]

For Shikamaru: the BofA response seems hardcore to me; which part do you like?

My response was to EZRhythm .