Consumer complaint received 2021-03-28
Company: U.S. BANCORP
State: SC
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Problem accessing account

Complaint:
Dear Sir : XXXX XX/XX/2021 About two years ago my sister XXXX established a checking account at the US Bank branch located in XXXX, Missouri for the purpose of managing the financial affairs of an LLC which is co-owned by XXXX, my other sister XXXX, and myself. 

When XXXX established the checking account she identified me as a co-owner of the account, however since I live in South Carolina, I was unable to be present when the account was established in order to sign the signature card necessary to be able to make electronic transfers in and out of the account. With all of the problems associated with delivering paper checks due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I elected to travel to XXXX last week so as to physically sign the signature card. 

To my surprise, when I contacted the bank last Thursday, XXXX XX/XX/2021, I was told that my South Carolina drivers license, my military ID card, and my US Passport were insufficient documents to prove my identificationand that I would have to have someone already on the signature card physically present to identify me. So I asked XXXX to meet me at the bank. 

When I arrived at the bank, I found XXXX being berated by the US Bank manager, a XXXX XXXX XXXX. Apparently what had happened was, XXXX was told that she must complete a survey before XXXX would allow her to add me to the signature card. This survey included many personal questions, such as, How much money did you make last year, and Do you own or rent your home and How long have you lived at your current address and a host of other questions that had absolutely nothing to do with adding an owner to the checking account signature card. 

When XXXX objected to this invasion of privacy, XXXX arrogantly and condescendingly told her that it was bank policy and that she had to comply. When XXXX asked to see a written document to prove that this invasion of privacy was indeed bank policy, XXXX became openly hostile. ( I arrived at this point. ) It is not possible to describe with the written word the sarcasm and condescension that dripped from her words as XXXX told XXXX that, XXXX was not in charge of US Banks policy documents and that she had no right to see internal US Bank policy documents and further statements that clearly were said to belittle and embarrass XXXX. I was shocked. 

When XXXX finally stopped her tirade, XXXX explained to me what was going on, and that we were going to have to answer the survey in order to add me to the signature page so I could perform electronic funds transfer from South Carolina. 

I wanted to simply say, Close the account right now but with the pandemic issues that XXXX is already dealing with, I didnt want to put more pressure on her, so I acquiesced to the survey, although I recognized it as a classic adhesion contract that violated my privacy for no legally cognizable reason. 

After the survey was completed, the clerk led me through an electronic checklist which kept requiring me to validate the fact that I had read certain documents and that I agreed to be bound their terms. When I asked for a copy of these documents so that I could read them, I was told that they were unavailable, however if I did not certify that I had read them and agreed to their termsI would not be allowed to be added to the accounts signature card. 

So, this is what I am asking you to do on my behalf. I would like you to investigate US Banks practices and policies, and then order them to cease and desist from any and all illegal activities that invade their customers privacy without sufficient cause. 

Next, I would like you to order US Bank to provide me with paper copies of all of the documents that they insisted I validate as having been read and agreed tothe bank has my mailing address on file. The electronic checklist the bank uses to add a signatory to a checking account will identify the pertinent documents. 

Finally, I know it is not within your power to retrain XXXX XXXX XXXX so that she treats US Bank customers with some simile of courtesy and respect, however I intend to forward a copy of this letter to the CEO of US Bank, and perhaps he will have something to say about that issue. 

I can be reached by email at : XXXX if you have any questions for me. Thank you for your consideration. 

Very Respectfully, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, ( XXXX ), XXXX.

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