Consumer complaint received 2021-05-19
Company: FIFTH THIRD FINANCIAL CORPORATION
State: FL
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Deposits and withdrawals

Complaint:
My account at Fifth Bank was opened in XXXX of XXXX. I stopped using this account in XXXX of last year. 

The primary reason I stopped using the account was a direct deposit would be made on Friday at XXXX XXXX each week. My deposit would not be credited to my account until Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. 

I received a check from a very reputable law firm. The check was about an average paycheck amount. 

I went into the branch at fifth third bank to deposit it. Before depositing it I said to the bank teller how long will this check take to process. She told me it would post at midnight and the funds will be available the next day. 

The next day I checked my online account and there was no record of a deposit being made yesterday for the amount credited to my account. I called the XXXX number to inquire about the status of the check. 

After going through the gauntlet of prompts and extended times on hold the phone representative told me she could not answer any questions about my account that I would have to go to the branch and talk to them directly. 

On my way into work I called the local branch. After going through the gauntlet of prompts and extended hold time a branch representative asked the call. I explain the situation to the branch representative and ask what the issue was with the check. She told me there was a hold on the check for at least 8 days. 

I ask to speak to a manager while changing direction to go to the bank. After waiting on hold again the bank manager answered the call. She started asking me security questions to verify my identity. I told the manger hold that thought until I get there. I on my way I arrived at the branch within 5 minutes of the call. When I arrived at the bank there was a local sheriff standing next to her car in the bank parking lot. 

I when into the bank with the sheriff shadowing me. Walked up the the teller and ask to see the manager. The teller offered me a seat while I waited. 

From across the lobby sitting behind her desk the manger invited me into her office. 

With the sheriff stand out side the manger office I explained that I deposited the check because the teller told me it would post that evening and funds available next day. 

The manger told me that the teller did not say that to me. I asked the manager if she witnessed my conversation with the teller? Knowing she did not I told the bank manager dont question my integrity! 

The manger repeated the 8 day hold on an instate check. I told the manger have a nice day and walked out. 

An hour later I contacted the local sheriffs department non-emergency phone number and ask for the responding officers name and how to get a copy of the report. 

The sheriff office representative researched the call. She told me that the call was closed with no report. In other words, the responding office found no evidence to support why they where call. 

A hour or so after incident at the bank I received a call from a corporate security office of the bank. He wanted to ask me about what happened. 

Being shocked by what happened at the bank and very concerned about it. I reluctantly explained my experience at the bank. 

I did raise the question with him : what was the mangers motivation : ( 1 ) is the manager professional in over her head and her professional and/or personal frustrations coming outside at me? ( 2 ) was the mangers action a deflection? 

The conversation ended with the security officer at the bank suggesting I speak with the bank manager at the branch I opened the account. 

I spoke with the bank manger at the branch I opened the account. He told me the check cleared their system but was flagged by another system. He said it happens when check drawn on problem accounts like too many overdraft or fraud. Circle back to the check is from a law office. Lawyers dont write bad checks they tell you wait for the money. 

I reach out to the bank again this morning XXXX XX/XX/XXXX. They now have changed the availability date. Its been extended by two days. 

Since my direct deposit were not credited to my account for XXXX or 6 days after being deposit the extended holds on my check are very suspicious. My interactions with the bank managers who made a false police report also add to my suspicion that something is seriously wrong.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation