Consumer complaint received 2023-06-27
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: MA
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Closing an account
Sub-issue: Company closed your account

Complaint:
In early XXXX, I attended a protest of the XXXX XXXX ' police training facility in XXXX , GA . I was XXXX along with 22 other concert goers and held in XXXX XXXX XXXX for almost 4 weeks, despite not being formally charged with any crime. Upon returning home I received notices from Bank of America that my checking, savings, and two credit card accounts had been suddenly closed. I was able to transfer my checking and savings accounts to a new bank, but I struggled for several months to obtain a new credit card due to the impact this cancellation has had on my credit score. Upon meeting with my local bank manager ( XXXX XXXX ) on Monday XX/XX/XXXX and calling BofA to seek additional information about why my accounts were closed, I was not given any additional information. The BofA representative I spoken with on the phone maintained that BofA has a right to close accounts at any time without giving a reason. The bank manager I met with in-person reviewed my bank accounts and said that she could not see any evidence of fraudulent activity from my accounts. Given the fact that there is no evident fraudulent activity in my accounts, I have strong reason to believe that these sudden account closures are indeed related to my political and legal situation. I understand that BofA is a financial supporter of the XXXX XXXX ' police training facility, so I am concerned that BofA is using its power as a financial institution to punish protestors and suppress the right of free speech by penalizing customers who speak out against a project it supports financially. Without additional information, I also can not tell whether BofA identified me through public media surrounding this case or through collaboration with police. In the meantime since my in-person meeting with the bank on XX/XX/XXXX, I have contacted my local representatives, who independently reached out to Bank of America . As a result of this exchange, Bank of America issued me a final letter ( addressed by XXXX XXXX ) on XX/XX/XXXX reiterating their decision and refusing to provide additional reasons for the closure of my accounts. I also filed a complaint with the OCC, and received a reply that my complaint does not fall under their jurisdiction. On XX/XX/2023, my savings and checking accounts were closed, and on XX/XX/2023 cashiers checks were mailed to me with remaining balances in those accounts. Similar issues with Bank of America and XXXX XXXX ( both of which are corporate funders of the police facility ) have been documented for at least two other defendants in this case. I am submitting a complaint individually because the sudden and inexplicable account cancellations have negatively impacted my credit, and they seem to be a targeted attempt to inflict financial damage to citizens exercising their right to protest.

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