Consumer complaint received 2016-04-01
Company: U.S. BANCORP
State: TX
Product: Mortgage
Sub-product: Conventional fixed mortgage
Issue: Loan servicing, payments, escrow account

Complaint:
During the annual escrow analysis for my mortgage, it was determined that I would be refunded {$3100.00}. I noticed this by viewing my escrow activity online at US Bank. I waited for the refund to arrive for more than 30 days. When the refund never arrived, I contacted US Bank to inform them. I spoke to the kind and respectful customer service supervisor, XXXX ( Unit Identifier : XXXX ) and she informed me that there would be a {$15.00} reissue fee, should I decide to have them reissue the refund. I questioned the validity of such a fee as I had not at any point accepted the refund and additionally, I have no way of knowing the payment was actually sent to me. Meaning, how do I know that the refund was ever actually issued? What would stop US Bank from declaring that they had sent the payment, when in fact they had not? 

The only proof of such an issuance was US Bank 's records. Which means that the only way for me to know that they had actually issued the payment was ... you guessed it, US Bank. In other words, " you know we issued it because we told you so. '' There is absolutely no other recourse. 

So, I was presented two options : Option 1. Pay the {$15.00} extortion, ahem " fee '' or Option 2. wait six months until the check expired. Now, {$3000.00} is no small amount. In fact, if I were more desperate, I would have paid the fee without a second thought. I can only imagine the countless working poor or elderly folks who would have to bite their tongues and pay the fee because the need for the money is so great. 

Put another way, if I were to send the bank a mortgage payment by mail and it never arrived, could I then charge the bank for reissuing another check to them? If I can, this is great news as this amounts to a {$15.00} dollar discount on every payment henceforth ( well at least, if I were a dishonest sort ). I suspect this is not the case and that in fact, I would be slammed with additional fines for delinquent payment. I am quite furious at the nefarious implications here. How do I know that financial institutions do not simply pretend to issue refunds, then when XXXX Consumer calls they inform him he can receive the payment if only he pays a " small '' ( an operative term depending on one 's financial status ) re-issuance " fee. '' This seems to amount to an exercise in extortion. " That 's a really nice check there, it be a shame if you 'd have to wait six months for a re issuance. '' " If you pay me {$15.00} I can make sure we send it out soon. '' XXXX XXXX would be envious of such a racket. 

What I am asking for here is : 1. A determination of whether such a fee is legal. 2. A definitive determination that the refund was in fact sent ( something other than " because we told you we did '' as I am not sure how such proof holds up in the eyes of the law ). 3. I wish to receive my refund ( money already overpaid for a year ) without paying a fine for receiving it. 

Thank you for your consideration in 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