Consumer complaint received 2022-03-16
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: NJ
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Closing an account
Sub-issue: Company closed your account

Complaint:
Citibank notified me towards the end of XXXX XXXX that my phone number and email address was deactivate for XXXX. Then on XX/XX/2022 they blocked my account without notice. I called them on XX/XX/2022 and inquired about my blocked account. 

They informed me that the bank had performed a review of my transactions and that they had made a decision to begin closing procedure on my account, due to my XXXX activity. They never informed me what was wrong with the transaction, nor were there any refund requests or reversals within my account that exhibited any risk to the bank, only stating that I would be receiving a letter explaining why my account was being closed. 

About a week later I received a letter in the mail from Citibank stating, " We periodically review customer accounts to access the suitability of their banking relationship with Citibank XXXX to a recent review, it has been determined that we can no longer service your account ending - XXXX and your other related accounts. Based on this decision, we have taken steps to terminate your banking relationship ( s ) with Citibank, pursuant to the terms of the Citibank Client Manual - Consumer Accounts. '' The letter went on to explain that my accounts would be restricted from any debits and certain credits and will be closed within sixty days from the date of the letter, which was XX/XX/2022. 

The letter continued to express several important points regarding what I need to do in order to not have additional funds tied up in the closure process. To include a paragraph regarding funds that are in the account that belong to me, that would be maile dto me in the form of a check upon account closure, and that I may visit my local branch or contact them at XXXX Option XXXX, XXXX to determine if I'm entitled to the funds sooner than the expected closure date. 

On several occasions I called the Fraud Prevention Department trying to find out why my account was being closed and if I could receive my funds sooner than 60 days, each time I was given no information nor an option to receive my balance of funds sooner. On two occasions when I called the representatives rudely stated they were terminating the call because they could not give me any information. I stated several times over a month and during at least 8 calls that I was experiencing a hardship since my Social Security and my Veteran 's Administration Pension was direct deposit to that account, unable to change to another bank account until XXXX. This left me without funds for food, rent and bills now for 2 months with their 60 days hold making it 3 months without any funds in XXXX. This has caused me undue hardship, stress, anxiety, inability to maintain my diet, sleep, buy medication and supplements for my XXXX XXXX, as well a putting me behind on my rent and bills.

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