The Same Banking Geniuses that Destroyed Our Economy Get Paid and Paid and Paid

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From CNN: If you’re out of work like Steve Lippe, who was laid off from his job as a salesman in January, you know you already have problems. But looking at the fine print that came with his new unemployment debit card, he became livid.

“A $1.50 [fee] here, a $1.50 there,” he said. “Forty cents for a balance inquiry. Fifty cents to have your card denied. Thirty-five cents to have your account accessed by telephone.”

…The National Consumer Law Center says fees range from 40 cents to a high of $3 per transaction.”

And where are these fees going? Banks like JP Morgan Chase which has contracts with seven states and is negotiating with two others. But hey, you’re unemployed. If you don’t want to pay the fees, just wait ten days for a check.

BTW, in many states, child support payment debit cards nickel and dime you to death this way, too, lest we forget which segments of society must always benefit off the backs of the unfortunate. In both instances, you can opt for direct deposit, but it’s hard to know about the fees until your card arrives. Which I’m sure is accidental.

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BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

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