Bank of America Corp (BAC), Wells Fargo & Co (WFC): Robo-Signing, ‘Sewer Service’

Robo-signing is in the news again, and in a big way. For one thing, the New York Attorney General’s office is suing Bank of America Corp (NYSE:BAC) and Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE:WFC) for allegedly failing to follow the conditions of the $26 billion settlement over shabby foreclosure practices, which featured the mindless signing of foreclosure documents.

The second thing is just as odious: Banks have apparently been using the same robo-signing techniques in the collection of credit card debt — and further investigation may find other credit card issuers are involved, too.

Robo-signing, “sewer service”
The Attorney General’s office announced late last week that it is bringing charges against JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) for using a slew of illegal maneuvers to wring non-existent debt from at least 100,000 credit card users in California. Among the dastardly procedures used by JPMorgan, the AG’s office alleges, are the famous robo-signing of fraudulent documents, while neglecting to notify targeted consumers of the fact that they were being sued — a tactic known as “sewer service.”

Regulators have been eyeballing JPMorgan for some time now, ever since the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency got wind of these shenanigans from former employees. Those involved noted discrepancies such as computer databases showing different card balances than the bank was alleging, and work of dubious quality by the outside attorneys used in the debt collection process.

Last summer, The New York Times published a story about this very issue, noting that Citigroup Inc (NYSE:C), American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) , and Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) were also being scrutinized for similar behavior. The accounts of consumers being sued for amounts that they claim they do not owe are harrowing, particularly since the article notes that, in credit card cases at least, many defendants don’t show up in court — resulting in an automatic win for the credit card issuer. Considering the fact that JPMorgan is accused of being remiss in notification of these suits, it’s no wonder consumers aren’t defending themselves.

A far-reaching problem
Doubtless, this is just the tip of the iceberg, with sanctions against Citi, American Express Company (NYSE:AXP), and Discover sure to follow. Bank of America Corp (NYSE:BAC) is likely to get tagged, as well: American Banker noted early last year that B of A sold credit card debt acquired with its MBNA purchase to a collection agency back in 2009 and 2010, even though there was evidence that the debt had dicey paperwork attached.