Consumer complaint received 2017-06-28
Company: BMO HARRIS BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: RI
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Opening an account
Sub-issue: Unable to open an account

Complaint:
On XXXX XXXX, 2017, I attempted to open an account with BMO Harris Bank online through their website. When I made it to the identity verification stage, I was presented with five questions ( knowledge based authentication ) to answer in order to verify my identity to the bank. I answered those questions correctly, but clearly my correct answers were not the answers their KBA system was looking for. The application was rejected after this stage. <P/>I 'll provide a concrete example. One of the questions asked about a leased vehicle I currently have and wanted me to choose the name of the leasing company from their list. My car is leased from XXXX XXXX. The closest name on the list was XXXX XXXX XXXX. So I chose " None of the Above '' because those two companies are different entities. Clearly that 's not the answer they were looking for, despite the fact that it is objectively the correct answer. I 've since checked my credit reports from all three credit bureaus and they all show the lease is with XXXX XXXX, not XXXX XXXX XXXX. <P/>Anyway, I called in to continue the application 1-2 days later. The phone reps were unable to continue the online application, so I had to submit a new application over the phone. I was ultimately successful in doing so and the account has been open since that time. What 's interesting is the KBA questions they asked over the phone were different ( and easier ) from the ones asked in the online application process. <P/>That said, I recently received a denial letter for the first attempted account opening. I will attach a copy of the letter. The letter is basically useless. It only states that my XXXX Score from XXXX  may have been the reason for denial, but, crucially, only if a XXXX Score is actually listed on the letter. No score is listed on the letter, so that is clearly not the reason for the denial. <P/>The letter does not state the source of the information used to deny my account opening, nor does it state any reason at all for the denial. Now, I know the reason for the denial, but I do not know the source of the information they use to generate those KBA questions. <P/>Whatever the source of that information, some of it is incorrect and I need to be able to correct it. This is not the first time I 've encountered this issue while trying to open a bank account. The banks all seem to use the same vendor to generate these questions, so I have a legal right to know the source and content of the information about me. <P/>Since the denial letter did not state the source of the information used for the account denial, BMO Harris is in violation of FCRA Adverse Decision Notification regulations. As such, I ask that they comply with the letter and spirit of the regulations and provide the information I 'm entitled to.

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