Consumer complaint received 2023-02-24
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: MI
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Opening an account
Sub-issue: Account opened as a result of fraud

Complaint:
Someone opened an account in my name with Bank of America ( BOA ) online. I have been a consistent target for fraud since XXXX and consequently have maintained a freeze and fraud alerts with all three credit reporting bureaus, in addition to having an alert with XXXX and enrolling in XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ). 
XXXX sent me an email on XX/XX/XXXX saying they found a new Bank of America Michigan account in my name, which was opened XX/XX/XXXX. I immediately called BOA and they asked for an account number and my social security number. I did not have an account number and was not comfortable giving my SSN over the phone so they told me to go to a branch. I planned to go after work, but I was anxious about this looming over my head so I left work early, stopping by my mailbox on the way to my car and noticed a BOA Statement in my mail. I went back into the house and called BOA back with the account number. They said they still needed my SSN, so I grudgingly gave it to them and was told an Advance SafeBalance Checking account had been opened online in the middle of the night on XX/XX/XXXX. I am not sure how it was opened given all my account freezes and fraud alerts, but they said they would take care of it and transferred me to their fraud department. I gave them all the information I had and they said they couldn't close the account, but they would freeze it until they deemed it was fraudulent. 
I've had to close several bogus accounts in my name over the years, with Capital One, XXXX, etc. and they just close the account after I flag it since there is never any money in it, just like there was no money in this one when I spoke with BOA representatives on XX/XX/XXXX. I thought it was done after I filed a complaint with the FTC, the Michigan State Police, and the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.

I did everything I was supposed to do, let everyone know what had happened, and then a few days later I received notification from BOA saying they were keeping the account open UNLESS I provided them with a copy of my driver 's license and SS card, a copy of my social security statement, a copy of the police report and proof of residency. I called BOA and demanded they close the account. Why would I send them information that can be used to perpetuate more fraud against me? Who asks for a copy of my social security statement for any financial dealings? NOBODY. That was not even required to get my mortgage, and it most definitely was not required when they were complicit in fraudulently opening a bogus account in my name! 
On the phone, they kept repeating the script about the request being legitimate and company policy. I have no relationship with them, why do they feel they are entitled to my personal information? Shouldn't the burden of proof be on them? They erroneously opened an account in my name within minutes, despite every roadblock I put up ; and now I am forced to leave work early to file a police report, spend hours pleading and then arguing with them on the phone, collecting paperwork and walking documents into a local branch because I am not going to mail all my personal ID documents to them through the mail. And then after sending them ALL that information via fax ( from the branch to the fraud department ), I received another statement on the account showing money had been deposited via XXXX, and withdrawn via XXXX, making it look like I am participating in a money laundering scheme. 
I called BOA back and they said the account it still open and they are looking into it, but no further activity should occur within 90 days until they finish their investigation. 
Please help me get this account shut down so I can make sure my credit does not suffer, because I don't trust BOA to do the right thing. They have already demonstrated they don't really care that I have been victimized.

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 non-monetary relief