Consumer complaint received 2015-06-03
Company: M&T BANK CORPORATION
State: MD
Product: Bank account or service
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Using a debit or ATM card

Complaint:
I am a XXXX XXXX resident who works in XXXX XXXX. 
I have had both checkings and savings accounts with M & T Bank for several years. For the past several weeks, I have been experiencing issues using my checking account. I XXXX noticed this problem when attempting to purchase groceries at my local XXXX supermarket about a month or so ago. When I chose the credit option, my card was declined. I knew my account had more than enough money to cover my groceries, so I instinctively used the debit option, and the transaction approved. Every week since then, I have experienced the same issue, despite purchasing groceries every Friday at the same supermarket, around the same time of day for the past year. 
Last week, I went to purchase crabs for {$100.00} and once again, my card was declined under credit although I had the funds. I instead used another credit card. I called M & T Customer service who informed me that due to high fraud activity in the area, M & T would not allow credit transactions, and that I have to use debit because entering my PIN verifies my identity. The customer service agent could not confirm where the fraud was occurring or how long the bank would inhibit credit transactions. 
Recently, I treated my boyfriend to dinner at XXXX XXXX in XXXX. Our bill was {$180.00}. When I attempted to pay, the waiter informed me that my transaction kept showing an error and requested I used a different card. As you can probably imagine, this was extremely embarrassing. Once again, I resorted to using another credit card. Knowing I had the funds in my account to more than cover the bill for the meal, I called M & T Customer Service after leaving the restaurant. XXXX XXXX employee ID XXXX ) informed me that my card was declined due to fraud in the area. Once again, XXXX could not inform me where the fraud was occurring XXXX please note my transactions fail in both XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX and he could not confirm for how long or the monetary amount these transactions would be stopped for. XXXX also informed me that the next time I go out to eat, I should call M & T Bank and ask them to allow the transaction to go through. I informed XXXX that this is unacceptable and also asked him what I should do if my transactions fail when customer service is closed. He then suggested I take out cash or ask the company to do smaller transactions that cover the whole bill. I informed XXXX that this is ludicrous and that I do n't feel comfortable going to the ATM late at night or walking around with large amounts of cash. I asked XXXX if there is anything that could be done and he told me no. We ended the call. 
I then called my sister and mother, who stated they have been experiencing the same issues with M & T Bank. My sister suggested I contact the Attorney General. When I called M & T back and informed XXXX that I would be contacting the Attorney General, he no longer decided nothing could be done. He transferred me to his supervisor, who informed me she would place a " fraud exclusion '' on my account, which would now allow me to make purchases on my card without problems. 
I highly suspect that these issues are not truly fraud related or preventative. M & T never sent me notification that fraud was a concern and that I would only be able to use debit. Additionally, M & T used to allow my transactions to go through, and would email me about potential fraud relating to the completed transaction. I was fine with this approach. I do not agree with M & T stopping me from being able to use MY money that I work hard for in the manner that I please. M & T was recently in the news for charging erroneous overdraft fees to their consumers. It appears M & T is continuing unethical business practices towards consumers.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation