Consumer complaint received 2018-05-08
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: TX
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Opening an account
Sub-issue: Account opened as a result of fraud

Complaint:
To whom this concerns, I have contacted Bank of America a few times about this same issue. ( Actually even the Risk Closure Department ) So almost a year ago i experienced identity theft when my wallet was stolen. I had not known at that time that there was a checking account opened in my name by Bank of America. I just now have attempted to open a checking account. After speaking to one of the nice kind bankers over there she transferred me to Risk Closure, after trying to open an account after being told from the banker that i am not able to open an account due to banking history with Bank of America. When i further asked why and explained to the phone banker that i have never opened these accounts with Bank of America. She sent me to Risk Closure. Risk closure said my accounts were closed, i advised them that i have never opened an account with Bank of America in my life, and that i just now have been trying as of this week. The rep said that my accounts were closed due to me being a risk to the bank. We got into further detail and i told the Risk Closure person, that is a mistake because i have never opened an account with Bank of America. The Risk Closure person then transferred me to Check Fraud. Which filed a claim. Yet it appears these accounts are still listed under my name, even though i was told from the Phone banker these were opened online. When we discussed that i didn't open these she stated to file identity theft, which i have already done so with the FTC. i want to be able to eventually bank with Bank of America but it appears someone has tarnished my name with them by opening an account and using it fraudulently. Which i was not aware of until just recently. I wouldnt have ever done any risky behavior. Had I known sooner I would have advised them. My email was also hacked and I found that out as well. No one assists me at Bank of America. I never heard back from Check Fraud either. The risk closure department stated Check Fraud has  to advise them to remove the closure notes. Secondly i have also received in the previous response from Bank of America that they are working on this issue for me that once i send them a signed affidavit they will continue their research. I sent all the required documentation, that clearly shows i am a victim of identity theft. The whole issue is that these accounts were opened without my permission, and once they were opened i was not made aware of these accounts until someone told me in their customer service. Had i known sooner i would have filed identity theft claim earlier. 

Lastly the address that is being reported on these accounts i never lived at. In your latest response you show an address of " XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX TX XXXX. '' I have not ever lived at this address. Whom ever did must have been the one who forwarded my mail as well, i just recently got USPS to fix my mail to actually receive mail now. My emails were also hacked and i just fixed those accounts as well. Thank you for further reviewing. I appreciate Bank of America 's assistance in resolving this matter.

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