Consumer complaint received 2020-07-15
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: AZ
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Savings account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Deposits and withdrawals

Complaint:
XX/XX/XXXX : - I deposited a check to my savings account for {$2200.00} ( this was an initial payment to me from an art gallery for my art ) using my mobile banking app. 

XX/XX/XXXX : - Those funds were taken out of my account and returned back to the art gallery account. 

- I received an email from Bank of America stating that a hold had been placed on the deposited check. 

XX/XX/XXXX : - I received an email that a second check for the amount of {$75.00} was put on hold. 
After seeing this email I attempted to open my Bank of America app and was informed on the app that my account was locked, and given a phone number to call for more information. 

- I called this number and was told that my accounts ( both savings and checking ) were being closed. When I asked for a reason, I was told that they didnt have to provide one. 

- I drove to a local branch and was told that the account was closed and given another phone number to contact. 

- When I called this number I was told that the check I had deposited for {$2200.00} was counterfeit and I was told that the money that was in my accounts prior to this deposit would be mailed back to me, and that I would not be able to have a bank account in any bank for 5 years. 

- I then communicated with the gallery owner who told me that the check should be fine to go through. 

- She told me she had been drawing on that account for years and since writing my check has written other checks- including my collaborating artist who was able to deposit her check without problems.

- The checking account of the gallery owner was also a Bank of America account and the check itself was a Bank of America check. 

XX/XX/XXXX - The gallery owner called Bank of America and was asked to contact me and ask if I had any history of fraud or counterfeit activity- I replied that I had not. 

- I contacted Bank of America again and was told that the gallery owner needed a notarized letter to the bank stating that the check was not fraudulent on the following Monday ( XXXXXX/XX/XXXX ) XX/XX/XXXX - I contact Bank of America and asked to have our claim numbers linked - I was told that they had added a note to my file. 

XX/XX/XXXX - I called the risk department and was transferred to the fraud department where I was told that my claim was completed and any further question I had should be asked to the risk department. 

Approximately XX/XX/XXXX - The gallery owner was told that the problem was on my end and that everything on her end was fine. 

- I received two letter from Bank of America that were dated XX/XX/XXXX notifying me that the deposits were returned unpaid. The letter contained a copy of the {$2200.00} check with a note that labeled it as altered/fictitious XX/XX/XXXX - I was told that my accounts had officially been closed and that my funds had been mailed back to me on the XXXX of XXXX and I should receive them within 5-7 day of the XXXX. 
I also filed a request to have this removed from my record so that I would be able to open a bank account elsewhere. 

XX/XX/XXXX - I called Bank of America because it had now been 7 days since the XXXX and I was told I would receive all of my funds by this date. I was told that because Sunday the banks were closed that it had only been 6 business days. 

- I was also told that Bank of America had confirmed the check as fraudulent and was considering reopening my account, and that the gallery owners account would be closed, locked, and frozen. 

- I called again and was told that my request to have my record cleared was denied. 


* I had numerous conversations with Bank of America and was put on hold for up to up to two and a half hours per phone call. I was told multiple times that as long as I didnt owe the bank money that I would be able to open a bank account elsewhere. I attempted to open an account with a credit union and was declined. I would like my name cleared so that I am able to open an account with other financial institutions. This is detrimental to my career and livelihood. 

I also have emails between the gallery owner and I during this whole period of time.

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