Consumer complaint received 2023-06-06
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: FL
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Deposits and withdrawals

Complaint:
I opened a Bank of America checking account on XX/XX/2023. I received an inheritance check for {$270000.00} from my aunt XXXX, from her account at XXXX, which she owns jointly with herself and my aunt XXXX, as part of the sale of my late grandmother 's property. My aunt XXXX wrote three temporary checks for {$270000.00} for my grandmother 's heirs, all three from the same account at XXXX. My check was deposited on XX/XX/2023. Coincidentally, my aunt XXXX  who holds an account at Bank of America, deposited her respective check for {$270000.00} at the same branch with the same teller as me a few hours before I made my deposit. When I made the deposit, the teller made a comment to her manager in front of me about how I was depositing a check almost identical to my aunt XXXX. At the time, I thought nothing of it as I had been explaining to the employees at the local Bank of America since I opened the account that the purpose of my account was to hold my inheritance. The issue ultimately started when I noticed a discrepancy in the amounts on my deposit slip when checking for when my funds would be available. My check was for {$270000.00}, but I noticed that based on the paper slip, {$5300.00} would be available first on XX/XX/XXXX and then {$260000.00} would be available XX/XX/2023, but those amounts were off {$220.00} from the full amount of my check. This prompted me to double check the digital slip online where I then discovered I did not have access to my BOA online account. So, I go to my local Bank of America to find out why this is happening and learn that Bank of America blocked my account for fraud because BOA suspected the check I deposited was allegedly counterfeit. To rebut this, I brought my aunt XXXX, who is an authorized signer on the XXXX account the check was drawn from, a statement from my aunts ' XXXX account, and copies of all three checks to show to that the check is valid. The Bank offered to escalate the matter, which we did that day, which I remember to be approximately XX/XX/XXXX. Nothing came of the escalation. So then I went to BOA again last Wednesday, XX/XX/XXXX to try to release to funds by bringing my aunt XXXX, who is an authorized on the XXXX  account, and a sworn, notarized affidavit from aunt XXXX  who wrote the check, that the check was valid, and nothing. Today I learned Bank of America closed my account and wrote me a check for {$2.00}. The {$270000.00} are still in limbo. The funds were removed from my aunts ' account, but they are not available to me as they are still on hold. Bank of America has not even returned the funds to my aunts ' account, despite alleging the check was counterfeit, which is what the employees at my aunt 's bank told her is the typical course of action in such situations. It has been almost a month since my check was deposited, and I have no access to any money. Despite numerous visits, calls, and copious evidence, Bank of America continues to maintain, in bad faith, that the check was counterfeit, and BOA has wrongfully banned me from holding an account with them for 7 years for this when I am wholly innocent. I deposited a valid check that XXXX honored. According to the expedited funds availability act, Bank of America should have given me my first {$5000.00} within 8 business days, but I have {$0.00} available and a wrongful fraud allegation that Bank of America will not allow me to rebut. This is causing me damages to my personal finances and my reputation as I work in corrections and law enforcement and can not afford to be accused of fraud. At this point, I need CFPB 's help to clear my name because Bank of America refuses to work with me in good faith.

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 monetary relief