Consumer complaint received 2017-10-13
Company: ALLY FINANCIAL INC.
State: TX
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Savings account
Issue: Opening an account
Sub-issue: Unable to open an account

Complaint:
Hi, I recently tried to open a Savings account for my mother with Ally Bank. During the application, I input her SSN and other information. I answered some questions pertaining to her identity. At the end of the application, I was told that her account was under review and we would get a call back in a few days. On XX/XX/XXXX I got a call saying that Ally requested a copy of her drivers license to verify her identity. I then told them that her address is slightly different than the one listed on her DL. They then told me that was fine, but I would have to resubmit another application with the matching DL information. I did then, input her SSN, and answered all the questions again. They also gave me the fax number to submit her DL to just in case they need it for the next application. I submitted the new application and faxed in her DL on XX/XX/XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX, I received an email at XXXXXXXX XXXX stating that 'we have been trying to reach you but have been unsuccessful. ' It goes on to say to please reach out to us regarding reference number XXXX. The email came from 'XXXX at Customer Service '. As soon as I saw the email, I contacted Ally bank. I first spoke to a representative, who told me 'I do n't know because that is n't my department ' so I then asked to be transferred to that department. I was transferred to XXXX XXXX, a supervisor. 
I asked XXXX XXXX what was needed to finish the application. She read 'the notes ' that said we needed to submit a copy of the SSN card. I then informed her that we had already submitted the DL, and asked if she had used that as verification, as it is a 'valid government issued photo ID ', which is what they request in the application. She found it and then told me that regardless, they were requesting a copy of the SSN card in order to proceed with the application. I asked why they were requesting specifically it, and she simply said that she did n't know. I then asked to see if she could check with the department that made that decision so that I could get a better idea as to why specifically it was being requested. She contacted XXXX in the Applications Department. XXXX relayed to XXXX that the SSN was required. I then informed XXXX that due to the age of my mothers SSN card, it carries the words 'not to be used for identification purposes. ' After an extended hold, XXXX came back and told me that 'we are allowed to request anything because of the Patriot Act. ' I informed XXXX that is not how the Patriot Act works, you must cite specific articles in it. She said she did n't need to. I then said that under the FDIC 1020.220 'Customer Identification Programs ' and other FDIC articles, it is not even required to use a SSN to open an account, furthermore use a SSN Card for identification. She simply said 'The Patriot Act trumps all of that. ' I asked her if Ally bank abides by the FDIC regulations, and she told me that they did n't have to since the Patriot Act was enacted.

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 non-monetary relief