Consumer complaint received 2018-02-24
Company: PNC Bank N.A.
State: DC
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Other banking product or service
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Deposits and withdrawals

Complaint:
On or around XX/XX/XXXX, my checking account had a negative balance of - {$2300.00} pending the withdrawal of {$3700.00}. I called the bank and spoke to a representative. I was told that Social Security would be debiting my account in the amount of {$3700.00}, because my husband had passed. I informed the representative that Social Security had nothing to do with that deposit. In turn, I let her know that the deposit was from the Veterans Administration and not Social Security, and that my husband was entitled to the funds that had been deposited. The call ended. Afterwards, I called the Veterans Administration and let them know what I was told by the bank. At that time a representative of the VA told me that my husband was entitled to the deposit that had been made just as I stated. 
On or around XX/XX/XXXX, my checking account continued to have a negative balance of - {$2300.00} with a pending withdrawal of {$3700.00}. I once again called the BANK and spoke to another representative. She stated that it was not the Social Security Administration that would be debiting my account, that it would be the Treasury Department. At that time, I ended the call. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, my checking account had a negative balance of - {$2300.00} with a pending withdrawal of {$3700.00}, so I visited the Banking Branch. I spoke to the representative at the front desk and told her what had transpired. She stated that she was contacting the back-end department that had placed the hold on my account. She informed me that the negative balance of - {$2300.00} was correct and that the Treasury Department would be debiting the account in the amount of {$3700.00}, once I made a deposit in the amount of {$2300.00} to cover the debt. At that time, I told her that it made no sense and I left the bank. 
Later that day I called the U.S. Treasury Department and spoke to an agent. I let her know what was going on with my account at the bank and she told me that as of XX/XX/XXXX, there had not been a non-entitlement issued and that the Bank was illegally withholding my funds. She stated that I could have the bank call her, and she or anyone else who answered the phone could let the bank know as well. 

I called the bank and spoke to a representative once again letting him know what had transpired with the bank and what I had found out at the Treasury Department. He told me that he would place me on hold, however, we were disconnected. 
Immediately, I called back and once again letting them know what I was told by the Veterans Administration and the US Treasury Department. At that time the representative stated that she would be handing me over to the department that was responsible for the hold on the account. I spoke to a representative in the Retail Escalation Department and she stated that it was not the US Treasury that would be debiting my account but rather the Banks Treasury Funds Transfer Department. She also stated that it didnt matter that there had not been a non-entitlement issued to the bank. She stated that it was the law that the bank return the funds when a person dies, and money is deposited into their account per the Banks Treasury Funds Transfer Department. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, there was no longer a pending withdrawal on my checking account in the amount of {$3700.00} but, there was a pending miscellaneous withdrawal in the amount of {$1300.00} which was the balance on the last statement that I received from the bank for the period XX/XX/XXXX to XX/XX/XXXX. Leaving my account with a {$0.00} balance, I tried to do a stop payment or dispute the transaction, however there was not a " stop payment type '' listed for the withdrawal nor was there a withdrawal listed when I tried to dispute it. 
Subsequently, I have not received any correspondence from the Bank concerning the aforementioned pending withdrawal of {$3700.00} from the Banks Treasury Department nor the Reclaim withdrawal. I only knew of the pending transactions while checking my online banking status. Granted that the online Consent Form covers all of my accounts, products and services with the Bank, National Association, and its affiliates, that are accessible, either currently or in the future, through Online Banking or their websites. But it also states that certain laws and regulations requires the bank to deliver specific information to me in writing, which means delivery of the information on paper, I believe that this is a time when I should have been notified in writing on paper. 
I am formally disputing the previously pending withdrawal of {$3700.00} from the Banks Treasury Department and the Reclaim withdrawal that posted on XX/XX/XXXX. I would like to know who is correct as far as my account is concerned, the U.S. Treasury Department whose representative told me that there had not been a non-entitlement issued and that the Bank was illegally withholding my funds. Or, the banks Treasury Funds Transfer Department whose representative told me that it was the law that my husbands VA funds be returned to a non-specified agency since he died. And, I would also like to know who has reclaimed my funds of {$1300.00} that was withdrawn by the bank. 

Sincerely,

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation