Consumer complaint received 2021-03-01
Company: HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK, THE
State: PA
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Funds not handled or disbursed as instructed

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX in response to an online {$500.00} bonus offer at XXXX https : XXXX? XXXX : consumer_checking : XXXX : XXXX & XXXX & XXXX ), I applied online for and opened a XXXX XXXX checking account at Huntington National Bank ( routing # XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, OH XXXX ) XXXX The offers requires that at least {$15000.00} remain in the account for 60 days. 
At the same time, I setup online access to that account via the Huntington website. On that same date, I transferred {$15000.00} into that account via ACH from my account at XXXX XXXX  ( another XXXX XXXX  ). Huntington Bank received and credit that deposit on XX/XX/XXXX. Online access verified since that the money is in the account. 
In XXXX, I learned online that Huntington had frozen my online access to the account, and had frozen the funds in the account preventing me from depositing or withdrawing monies. They told me that in order to unfreeze the account, they require me to come in to a " local branch '' to identify myself. When I pointed out that ( a ) nowhere in the terms of their offer nor in the disclosures made to me online did they disclose any such requirement, and ( b ) their nearest local branch is in XXXX, PA, XXXX miles away from my either of my locations in XXXX XXXX, PA and XXXX, NJ, they said the funds will remain frozen until I show up at a local branch. I asked them how I can ever get my money back. They advised that the only way is to close the account, and request a certified check for the balance. I made that request only because they had frozen my funds, and they required that of me. They closed the account on XX/XX/XXXX. 
They then cut a check to me on XX/XX/XXXX, which I finally received on XX/XX/XXXX. The check did not include the {$500.00} bonus due me under the terms of the bonus offer. Upon questioning, they agreed that I had satisfied all of the requirements to earn the bonus, but advised that they can not pay the bonus because I do not have an open account to pay it into. I pointed out that the only reason that I dont have an open account is because they froze the funds and forced me to accept closure of the account as the only means to gain access to my {$15000.00}. I even offered to open another online account into which they could deposit the {$500.00}. They refused. 
I believe that their actions in all regards are not only outrageous, but also fraudulent, in that their online offer says nothing about any requirement to physically visit a branch. Furthermore, their physical visitation requirement runs directly counter to the pandemic control interests of XXXX XXXX and XXXX in discouraging citizens from making unnecessary visits to physical business locations. I hope that you will require them to pay me the {$500.00} bonus that they fraudulently advertised. I hope as well that you may require them to pay appropriate penalties for their fraudulent advertising and failure to disclose upon online applications. I am including below a cut/paste copy of their bonus offer and terms disclosed online, which is accessible at the web address noted in the beginning of this complaint : " To be eligible for this offer, click Apply Online or Open at a Branch from this page, so that the promotion code is claimed at time of account opening. This offer is only available to applicants residing in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania or West Virginia. 
To qualify for the {$500.00} cash bonus, you are required to open a new, qualifying Huntington 25 Checking account during the promotional period between XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX and make cumulative new money deposits into the checking account of at least {$15000.00} or more within 60 days of account opening. " New money '' is defined as money that is not currently on deposit in any Huntington account ( except maturing CDs ). Person to Person payments ( such as XXXX XXXX are not considered a deposit for this offer. 
Your {$500.00} bonus will be deposited into your new personal checking account within 14 days of meeting the above requirements. Your checking account must remain in an open status to receive the bonus. 
This offer is only available to new checking customers. All existing Huntington checking customers, including those with any relationship ( including duciary ) to any other Huntington checking account, or those who closed a checking account within the last six months, are not eligible.

This offer can not be used in combination with any other checking offer. For tax purposes, you will receive a Form 1099-INT from us for the cash bonus. Huntington reserves the right to limit an individual to one account-related gift incentive per rolling 12-month period across all deposit account relationships. ''

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation