Can Wachovia take money from my account for my son's overdraft?

Full question:

about 3 or 4 years ago my son had a checking account at southtrust bank now wachovia, well the account was closed due to being overdrawn. my name was on the account. I never wrote any checks or used his checkcard. the only thing I ever did was deposit money into it for him. The only reason my name was on the account was in case something happened to him. Well about two or three weeks ago wachovia took $166.25 from my checking account from their collection dept so they could get the money he owes them. my sons name was not on my checking account. wachovia did not contact me to let me know they was going to do this and they have not sent me a letter letting me know what they did. can they take money from my account like that?

Answer:

This situation likely depends on the account agreement you signed when adding your name to the account. It is not uncommon for a bank to withdraw funds from one account of a person who owes money on another account, especially if both accounts are linked in some way.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

Yes, a bank can withdraw funds from your account to cover debts owed by someone else if your account is linked to theirs. This often occurs if you are a co-signer or if there are agreements in place that allow the bank to do so. It's essential to review the account agreements you signed to understand your rights and obligations.