Consumer complaint received 2023-06-05
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: CA
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Cashing a check

Complaint:
I have have checking account at Citi Bank. 
My name is XXXX XXXX. 
I called my bank on XX/XX/XXXX regarding the check was cashed. Check date XX/XX/XXXX in the amount {$1300.00}. I wrote the check to my contractor. I was in a hurry and let the space : check payable to blank since I was not sure about name spelling. He reassured me he would write his name on the check. In XXXX I saw the copy of the check that was cashed and was surprised it was cashed with no name on it. Since we had some issues with contractors job I was concerned he may say I didnt pay him. I called Citi bank with the question how this check could be cashed without name on the check. I acknowledged I wrote the change and the amount was right. 
I was told it will be investigated and I will be contacted. Few months later I received the letter from the bank regarding completely different check in the amount of {$200.00} with I didnt even question? 
On XX/XX/XXXX I received a letter from Citi Bank dated XX/XX/XXXX with request to complete the form regarding fraudulent check. 
The following day, XX/XX/XXXX I received the email from Citi Credit card my automatic payment was declined since my account was closed! 
I called Citi Bank on XX/XX/XXXX, spoke with Fraud department. I learned my account was locked and I need to complete the form mailed to me. Form can not be emailed and my account will be locked until form is received! I was advised to go local branch. On XX/XX/XXXX I had to rash into Citi Bank in XXXX XXXX. Branch manager could not assist me. I called from the Branch to Fraud department again. I explained again check I question is a check I wrote. I dont consider it fraudulent but I was under the impression Bank should ask a person who tries to cash the check put his name on it. Fraud department representative gave me to option : close the case and my account will be open immediately so I can pay my bills or continue the case but my account will remain locked! This was outrageous blackmail! I had to pay my bills and I agreed over the phone to close the case. My account was open immediately. I asked fraud department representative for assistance in dealing with my declined payments. He told me it was my problem! 
Meanwhile my XXXX auto bill was declined and my XXXXXXXX XXXX  credit card auto payment was declined! 
I had to pay late fee Citi credit card {$30.00} XXXX XXXX {$25.00}, XXXX {$25.00} I was not notified by Citi Bank in timely fashion about their intention of locking my account! I just learned about it when my payment was declined. 
This is unbelievable! They did not apologize and they owe me, not just late fees, all the inconvenience, going to local branch in XX/XX/XXXX. I am filing this complaint few months later since I had XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX and was recovering. I hope to hear from Citi management soon. I was with Citi for more than twenty years and considering changing the bank. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief