Consumer complaint received 2020-09-08
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: TX
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Closing an account
Sub-issue: Company closed your account

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX I opened a second checking account with Bank of America for my Brother to start a nest egg for him. I deposited XXXX and was going to have my VA XXXX Benefits check deposited to this account. Two days later fraudulent activity occurred between my checking accounts : a deposit of {$3100.00} was deposited, transferred between accounts and transferred out an account along with {$1000.00} of my own money ; they were compromised.

Bank of America called me while I was under sleeping medication and had a conversation with me ( much of which I have no recollection of ). I remember mention of benefits, family member and the need to go to the bank. I have explained to Bank of America that I did not authorize the deposit into my account ( deposit from Arizona and I live in Texas ) and that there was a misunderstanding when  they called me and woke me from a drug induced sleep : I did not know the person whose check was deposited and they were not a family member. 

Over a two week period, I could not get straight answers from Bank of America. I was told I could close those accounts and open new ones and when it came time to do so, Bank of America changed it's tune : saying they were closing my accounts, no longer wanted me as a customer and that my money ( a substantial amount of money ) would be sent to me in cashiers checks ( it could take between 10 to 20 business days ). I was denied the ability to get the money from a branch. 

Bank of America dropped the ball! They are supposed to provide fraud protection and catch fraudulent activity when it happens. If they had caught the deposit on the day it hit my account and placed it on hold, this would be a mute issue. However, they did not and now are making it my issue. 

That was almost a month ago and I am still waiting for the release of my funds. Bank of America has placed hardship on me -- especially, during these Coronavirus days. I am not receiving my paychecks or benefits checks and fulfill day-to-day responsibilities. 

Today is XX/XX/2020 and I spoke with Bank of America yet again. They continue to make excuses saying that the accounts are under review. The fraud took place in the checking accounts. There is no reason, whatsoever, for them to hold my savings account hostage for 30 days. It is my life savings in excess of XXXX and I have no access to any funds. 

Yes, my accounts were compromised and funds were transferred out of my accounts. Bank of America is taking it out on me : not only have I not had access to my funds, but they are taking {$3100.00} of my money to make up for the fraudulent amount transferred from my account -- -that 's not fair at all! 

If Bank of America had done their due diligence and flagged the deposit when it hit the account, then none of this would have happened. Not only am I an affected patron of Bank of America, but I have been made the culprit who has to pay restitution for transactions I had nothing to do with. I am/was supposedly a Platinum Honors member of Bank of America ... the highest tier of Bank patron and I have been treated this poorly.

30+ days is a ridiculous amount of time to have to wait for one 's account to be closed, reviewed and monies issued. My savings account should have been issued immediately, as it had nothing to do with the fraudulent occurrence.

CFPB, if there is anything you can do to help alleviate my hardship and have my funds released in a timely manner. I would appreciate it.

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