Consumer complaint received 2022-12-22
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: FL
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Problem accessing account

Complaint:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX  XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Citibank XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Citibank XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX Floor XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX Re : Account No. XXXX Closure On XX/XX/XXXX, I, XXXX XXXX XXXX opened a XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ) with Citibank XXXX I have been a Citibank customer since XX/XX/XXXX, owning many different Citibank products in the last 15 years. 
The City Priority Checking Account ending in XXXX, was funded via a transfer from another personal account of mine at XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX in the amount of {$30000.00}. From XX/XX/XXXX until XX/XX/XXXX, there were no transactions on the account. On XX/XX/XXXX, a check in the amount of {$3.00} was paid. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, I requested another transfer from my XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX belongs to me in the amount of {$25000.00} into my Citi Priority Checking Account with the intent of opening a CD Account with Citibank with those funds. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, as I routinely do in the morning, I logged into my Citibank to check the status of the requested transfer. To my complete shock, my Citibank Priority Checking Account was no longer listed under my products in my Citibank login. 
I reached out to Citibank Customer Service via the chat option online to request information on why my account was not listed and was transferred to over 5 different customer service associates that could not explain what had happened. 
I then proceed to try via the Customer Service phone number and was told by a Citi Representative that an Investigation was opened for my account. I was also guaranteed that in 24 hours, I would hear back with the results.

I then proceeded in the next few days to call multiple times to check on the status of such investigation that was started without Citibank informing me of such and no additional information being provided to me. As per the list of phone calls with Citibank customer service attached, I wasted valuable hours of my time just trying to figure out what happened to my account and funds. 
Today, XX/XX/XXXX, I finally received an email from Citibank stating : Hi, XXXX. We periodically review customer accounts and assess account activity. Based on a recent review of your REGULAR CHECKING account, we found that you have violated the terms of your account per the client manual. 
As a result, your REGULAR CHECKING account and any other Citi accounts you have will be closed within 60 days of the date of this communication. All of your accounts are now restricted from receiving deposits or credits, effective immediately. 
This has been frustrating to say the least. I am requesting that Citibank officially describe and inform me of the violation to the terms of my account as per the client manual actually was.

Citibank currently holds {$55000.00} of my hard-earned money and have been told is that it will take 30 to 60 days to return those funds to me via a check. How Citibank unilaterally and without providing reason, believes it is acceptable to withhold someones funds for 30-60 days baffles me. I need these funds to meet my financial obligations.

There are so many issues with how Citibank conducted this process, and it has forced me to have to write this letter. I look forward to your reply and a resolution to my problem before seeking help from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Please contact me by phone at XXXX XXXX. 
Sincerely, XXXX XXXX Attachments - List of Interactions with Citibank Customer Service - XX/XX/XXXX Deposit Confirmation - Account Closure Notice E-mail

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