Consumer complaint received 2022-09-16
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: WV
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Opening an account
Sub-issue: Account opened as a result of fraud

Complaint:
I have never applied nor had an account with Bank of America. On XX/XX/XXXX a checking account was fraudulently opened with Bank of America. I received a debit card on XX/XX/XXXX alerting me that this account was opened. This card/communication was received at my mothers address. I immediately contacted Bank of America to report that I did not open this account. They informed me that the account had a {$100.00} balance and was opened using my name, social security number, date of birth, my mothers address, and a false phone number and email address ( I have the phone number and email if needed ). Bank of America then started a fraud investigation and placed a Fraud ID flag on the account. They sent me a Uniform Affidavit for Identity Theft on XX/XX/XXXX which request copies of my ID, Social Security Card, Social Security Statement, original account documents received, proof of residency, and other supporting documents. I called Bank of America on XX/XX/XXXX and informed them that I would not be sending copies of my personal information because there is not a branch location in the state of WV and I did not feel comfortable with sharing this private information with them. Also, according to their website and their agents, if an account is opened online, they do not request copies of any identify documents ( i.e. State/Federal ID, social security card , proof of residency, etc ). They informed me that I would not be able to close the account after the fraud claim is denied because they can not prove that it is me but the account will be reactivated/opened after the fraud claim is denied per my denial to complete information requested. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, I received 2 emails from Bank of America stating they received an application for a savings account then that I was approved and the savings account was opened. This was while an ongoing Fraud investigation was active on the checking account. I immediately called them and denied the option to start another Fraud ID process and the agent allowed me to close the savings account because there was no money in this account. 
On XX/XX/XXXX I contacted the credit reporting companies and placed a Fraud Alert with them. I contacted this office by phone and was referred to fill out this complaint via the website. 
My main complaint with Bank of America is that no actions were taken upon the opening of the checking account to ensure that it was not fraudulent. They did not request, at the very least, a copy of a state/federal ID and social security card . Nor did they complete even a soft credit check therefore the credit reporting agencies are unaware that this activity occurred. Since my local bank requires copies of ID and Social security card, it is disturbing that a national bank like Bank of America does not provide these minimal securities in a time when identity theft is so prevalent. My other complaint is that they allowed a second account to be opened with my information while an ID flag and an ongoing investigation was active on the checking account. No actions were taken for this second account to ensure that it was not also fraudulent.

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