Consumer complaint received 2017-12-28
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: MA
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Cashing a check

Complaint:
Bank Of America XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, MA XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX : I went into the bank to open an account with bank of america. I deposited a {$1900.00} employment check : In the process, of opening my account I was aware of a fee due to an older account, The person that helped me opened the account called a department whom I had to speak with. They mentioned a debt from XXXX. Said I still owe them and had to pay them, although I mentioned the statue of limitation in California is 3 years. She said that does not apply to this debt and, said I need to pay the full amount or I was then not going to be able to open a checking 's account. After explaining to her that I was not going to be able to pay the full amount she then offered me {$350.00} in 3 payments starting on the XXXX of XXXX therefore, she allowed me to open a checking 's account and a temporary card was issued to me as a brand new customer, and {$200.00} was provided to me in my checking 's account from the {$1900.00} dollars I deposited. When I asked customer service when the funds would be available she said 1-2 days I explained to her that it would be fine as long as I had my funds before XXXX. 

XXXX XXXX, XXXX : Called in to Customer Service over the phone to try and check the available funds. They explained to me my check would not be available until the XXXX of XXXX XXXX PM eastern time. Although I was upset that I would was not going to receive my funds. I understood, and had to make due. 

XXXX XXXX, XXXX I Called early in the morning to Customer Service over the phone, and asked just to make sure if my funds we 're going to be available at XXXX PM to see if they were able to also speed up the process. They said they were not able to release it any sooner, so i agreed. I have been checking my account every hour just in case they release my funds early. 
Within, One hour of releasing my funds, I was unable to log into my online banking, and told to call the online banking fraud department. 
Called the online banking fraud dept, They stated that there was a hold on my check due to the possibility of fraud. After speaking to customer service, and supervisors, repetitively, they told me that my account was closed and I had to speak to the closure department, because they were not able to tell me anything. I was put on hold for 20 minutes. finally speaking to the closure dept. 
First of all when they transferred me the closure department was not aware of what was going on with my account. And told me I had to speak to the online fraud dept where I was JUST transferred from. Then BLIND Transferred me to the online fraud dept, once again being on hold for another 20 minutes, and finally get a representative to JUST explained exactly the same thing I was trying to figure out why my check was on hold. 
The fraud dept then let me know that my account was closed by the risk dept. When I finally spoke to the risk dept, and they said my account had been closed and did not give me a reason why, and said they did not have to give me a reason why. They said they reserve the right to close anybody account at will. I asked about the rest of my funds and said my checked would be mailed out to me in 7 days for the remaining balance I have in my account. I explained to them I was not able to wait for 7 more days, I already been waiting since the XXXX i can wait that long i have no money to eat let alone wait 7 more day at this time I 'm about to break down and cry had no XXXX had stay some nasty hotel because only had XXXX to my name and could not fly home for XXXX. When I was on the phone they kept passing me from one person to another person they said it my fault, and check did n't clear. 

XXXX XXXX I called back into bank of america explained my whole situation once again. They informed me there was nothing that they can do I would have to wait until it gets mailed out to me, then got in contact with corporate headquarters, XXXX from North Carolina ( XXXX ). He informed me that he had spoken to a supervisor and they had made an exception that I was able to go and pick up my check from any branch. I asked if he was sure and to note take my account so I would n't have to go to the bank for nothing. Knowing that I am from CA in Massachusetts for work. and he said he notated the information on the account, as well as bad customer relations and bad experience I had the prior day So I went to the same bank that I opened up my account with and I spoke to the person that I opened the account with. 
First off, VERY RUDE! chewing gum while talking to me. As I was explaining the situation about my account being closed, check being held, and then being released from contacting corporate. I told her to check the notes. Before she even checks my account she says its a fraudulent check that i deposited. I told her to stop shaking her head and listen to me and let me finish. She then yells " you do n't XXXX talking to me like that, that 's when I got loud and said this bank is robbing me. I just spoke to corporate approving to come down to a branch to receive the rest of my funds. Then she accuses me of committing fraud without even looking into my account once again. Then insults me by accuses me of committing fraud. Then threatens me to exit the branch or she 'll call the police. I walked out her room. 
Now speaking with the manger name XXXX. He was much more calm to speak with and gather information, and called the same number I called so he can speak with them. I called the same number, XXXX then spoke with the same person from corporate and they said its in the notes that I was able to receive my funds. He also verified I was able to receive my funds. XXXX called the number that was on the file on my notes to authorize and release my funds. They informed him they would not be able to give me any money until the XXXX of XXXX. 
At this time I was about to have a nervous break down. So they continued to call the cops on me. The police comes, makes me feel like a criminal. And tells me I 'm not allowed to enter the bank of america branch until it calms. 

this is the worst experience I 've ever been through and never felt so discriminated against by anyone. I have been lied too. Discriminated against. And cops called on me. All being I do not have a XXXX last name. and I am not XXXX. I will get in contact with local XXXX activists groups to start a boycott against bank of america by the way I was discriminated. This is XXXX I cant believe in this state we still have racism. I will do everything I can to file a law suit. A bank should not be able to operate like this. And refuse to give any explanations as to why it happen. I understand that the branch of the bank was all XXXX but that does not give the power to be XXXX and bias towards another culture/person. I will be posting my experience on social media, the XXXX XXXX XXXX. I also have a Witness who has been with me throughout this whole experience who ALSO banks with bank of america and will result and wiling to testify against bank of america and corp. I have documents and pictures, of how long I 've been on the phone, as well as documents stating when my funds will be received. I have still not yet received my money, or check. I did not travel across the country from California to Massachusetts to just get treated this way and work so hard for my money to not receive my funds. I 'm emotionally hurt and want to have a break down right now.

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 monetary relief