A bank hit him with a $50 fee but ChatGPT helped him get it back
“I never thought Chat GPT could help me get my bank to reverse a fee -- until it did!”
ChatGPT and other AI services feel like they have been inserted into our lives overnight, with some people happy to use them while others remain skeptical. Whatever your position, there’s no arguing that if used correctly, they can be a hugely impressive time-saving tool, as Joel found out...
A few weeks ago, Joel O’Leary visited his local bank branch to complete a wire transfer. He knew there would be a $50 fee and, feeling a bit nervous, accepted it without protest. However, once he got home, he regretted not asking if the fee could be waived.
Instead of giving up, Joel turned to ChatGPT for help. After explaining his situation — including how long he had been a customer — ChatGPT quickly generated a simple, polite script for him to use. The suggested message went like this:
“Hi, my name is Joel. I’m hoping you can help me. I recently visited a bank branch to do a wire transfer and got charged a $50 fee. I’ve been a loyal customer for 12 years and love working with this bank. Is there any chance you could waive the fee as a goodwill gesture? It would absolutely make my day.”
Joel called customer service, read the script almost word for word, and to his surprise, the representative immediately refunded the $50 fee.
The goodwill gesture clearly sparked something inside him, as he shared various ways that could save you money next time you’re in the local branch:
Overdraft fees -- If it’s your first time overdrawing, banks may waive this fee if you ask nicely.
Minimum balance fees -- If you fell below the threshold without realizing, it’s worth calling up and asking for leniency.
Wire transfer fees -- Just like my experience, waivers can be requested easily if you only do wires once in a while. Plus, usually a branch manager helps you with a wire transfer, and they typically have authority to grant your request on the spot.
ATM fees -- If you got charged for using an out-of-network ATM, the bank might reimburse you. (Some banks waive ATM fees automatically)
Late payment fees -- This could include fees and interest on credit card payments, or personal loans. If you usually pay on time, a quick request could get it reversed.
Source: Joel O'Leary's post on fool.com
Nope, I won’t stop being nice to my eventual overlords.
— Bulldog1205 (@bulldog1205) April 20, 2025
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