Consumer complaint received 2018-10-22
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: MI
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Deposits and withdrawals

Complaint:
On XX/XX/2018, I responded to a promotion I received in the mail from Bank of America to open a checking account and get {$300.00} dollars after {$4000.00} in direct deposits within 90 days of opening the account. On this day I opened a checking account online and immediately set up a direct deposit. I get paid weekly and on Friday. 
However, payday was approaching, and I had not received a debit card. On XX/XX/2018, I when into the XXXX Bank of America branch to get a debit card and the teller informed that since I opened my account online that they only card they have is for people who open their account at the branch and that I would have to wait until my card comes in the mail. ON XX/XX/2018, I called customer service back and was informed to go to another branch which I did do. I checked in with the XXXX Branch and again given a different reason this time that my account must be open for 30 days and that they do not have cards for online customers. If I had opened the account in the branch after 30 days, then I can receive a temporary debit card. 
Seeing as how the Branch was not able to assist with a temporary ATM card and I needed MY direct deposited paycheck which left me using the XXXX service to send money. On Friday XX/XX/2018 I attempted two XXXX payments to my external bank accounts and only one was successful. I call customer service as my account was flagged for fraud. I spoke to a fraud agent. Asking me to verify the updates and transactions I made to my contact information. After I verified everything she informed me that I could not use online banking and informed me that if I needed to withdraw money to go inside a branch. I advised the agent that the XXXX Branch was not open on the weekends and that I do not have transportation to get to another branch. 
On XX/XX/2018, this agent refused to remove the HOLD and informed me that I could withdraw money at the branch. I informed the agent that I was stranded at work and that the XXXX Branch was only open Monday through Friday that I do not have transportation to another branch and that I could not pay any bills or by food. 
On XX/XX/2018 I opened another checking account at the XXXX Branch and WAS given a temporary debit card ; however, that same day the card was blocked. On XX/XX/2018, I came into the XXXX Branch and met with the branch manager Ms. XXXX and she informed me that the Bank froze my accounts and that the Bank was closing my account and that they did not give her a reason as to why. However, on XX/XX/2018 Bank of America accepted and deposited my direct deposit work check and refused to make those funds available for withdrawal. On XX/XX/2018 I called Bank of America to ask for permission to withdraw my funds and the branch and on XX/XX/2018, I asked if I could close the account out at the branch. 
I am writing because I have not done anything fraudulent and to warrant Bank of America to freeze my money I do not agree with Bank of Americas practice of arbitrarily freezing my account to wit blocking access to my money I went to work all week for and living paycheck to paycheck. Simply put the only deposit made into this account came from my paycheck via direct deposit which Bank of America knew or should have known. There never was any fraudulent activity to substantiate Bank of Americas handling of my account and withholding my paycheck seeing as though I had verified everything on the phone and at the branch.

Furthermore, I am writing for assistance as Bank of America actions have left me without money for food and transportation to work.

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 explanation