Consumer complaint received 2021-09-01
Company: STERLING BANCORP
State: NY
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Savings account
Issue: Closing an account
Sub-issue: Company closed your account

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX I received a call from Sterling National Bank located on XXXX XXXX XXXX NY, advising me that they closed my account on XX/XX/XXXX ( same day as the call ) they stated that they mailed me a check. What made matters difficult for me was that my monthly Social Security direct deposit is sent to that account every XXXX Wed in the month. Sterling closed my account without notification of any type, no warning -- no phone call, nor a letter sent. They closed my account because I made more than 6 transactions on a savings account in a month -- if that is a rule which I was unaware of. I think a certified letter or a call should be made in advance so I have time to remove my money and change my Direct Deposit and make no payments from that account. I immediately called Social Security XX/XX/XXXX to tell them where to send my direct deposit that was due to come on XX/XX/XXXX. Soc. Security said it would take time to arrive at the new account because it will go to the closed account first and then return back to them and then to the new account As of today XX/XX/XXXX I still have not received my Social Security check, so I called social security again, they claim it should come this week to the new account After a trip to Sterling XX/XX/XXXX and 2 calls later I finally received a check from Sterling for the closed account, the check for the closed account arrived on Monday XX/XX/XXXX ( they closed the acct XX/XX/XXXX ) check took 12 days. I had no money as it was tied up in that check that took 12 days to get to me Also 2 payments -- 1 for XXXX XXXX and 1 from XXXX were set up to come out of my Savings account on XX/XX/XXXX. Both payments were returned when they saw the account was closed. XXXX XXXX hit me with a return fee, I called them XX/XX/XXXX and they did waive the return fee XXXX credit card sent me a letter XX/XX/XXXX stating that my account was closed and the payment returned, that account is not valid and they may impose a return fee. I have to resolve this issue also The closing of my Savings Account has caused me much distress, and mental stress -- - many phone calls and a trip to the bank, it left me without money and unable to pay bills that are coming due, and time from work making phone calls. 
I feel they need to be reported for unfair practice of closing accounts without proper notification, warning and notices. Nobody should have to deal with this and be treated like this. It took 12 days to get my money by their check ( XXXX ) I hope my Social Security deposits arrives soon too and its not lost in limbo Suppose I was on vacation and needed to withdraw money, I would be stranded Rules are rules and if I broke the rules then it should be explained and I should be alerted to the consequences such as closing of the account -- but without warning-to me this is unforgiveable. I will not deal with this bank ever again and my mother is also closing her accounts with this Bank-Sterling National

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation