Consumer complaint received 2016-09-29
Company: HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK, THE
State: PA
Product: Bank account or service
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Account opening, closing, or management

Complaint:
On Saturday XXXX, I came across a website which promised {$300.00} just for opening a Huntington 5 checking account. There was no minimum deposit required or any other special terms. The process asked for information to assure adequate security in opening an account. In order to avoid service charges a minimum balance must be maintained of $ XXXX. The terms of the account only referenced an early closing but did not disclose the fee. I called customer service to inquire about this fee. No one from the bank could answer the question. ( After opening the account when the first Statenent was posted, the statement disclosed a change of terms eliminating an early closing fee. ) The {$300.00} bonus was to be deposited within " 14 days of opening the account ''. At this time, Huntington has failed to fulfill the {$300.00} bonus deposit. On XXXX XXXX, I stopped at the local branch in XXXX PA and the 'personal banker ' XXXX XXXX reviewed the website and agreed it appeared to be unconditional. XXXX XXXX called the Huntington XXXX and was told that the account require a code. ( There was an early screen in the Internet process that inquired if I had a code but no where did the website state or infer that the {$300.00} bonus required " a code '' to be eligible for the {$300.00} bonus. The account opening process appeared to be identical without to that that without a code and no point did the terms, screens or process state the account was ineligible for the bonus. I am now being told that there should have been some XXXX code ' generated if I did n't already have a code to put into the account. There was no such code or message generated as suggested. At the XXXX, PA, ( XXXX ) location. XXXX attempt to get an answer was without success and he relayed what the ( XXXX ) customer service rep he spoke with was that I should request an internal investigation which I did on line later that day, ) XXXX XXXX ) explaining the concern. I was then told I would have to follow up with the bank in 5 business days to learn them status of the bank 's investigation. I though it poor customer service, that I they would not initiate a response to me their own, but was told they could n't contact me! On XXXX I did call the same toll free number back, only to be told since no code was entered the account was ineligible for the {$300.00}. I explained again the nature of the concern and what appears now to be false and misleading consumer fraud and that at no time did the web process ever indicate such a requirement nor did the screen with radio buttons 'yes ' or 'no ' where it asked if I had a code. No where did the process ever describe was meant by a " code '' nor condition the Bonus on entering a code. In a third follow up attempt, on Mon., XXXX, XXXX, I was told they ( XXXX ) would again investigate the concern. This has now gone on for over 4 weeks without resolution. The Huntington ad campaign is located at XXXX The offer was advertised as available through XXXX XXXX and still is active without any modification. The offer page states : [ " Huntington 5 Checking and {$300.00}. Just open a new Huntington 5 Checking account. By XXXX, and the {$300.00} bonus will be deposited into your checking account within 14 days. It 's really that simple. To get started, just click the Apply button below. Be sure to have your Promotion Code handy. '' ] There was no explanation of what the promotion code reference meant nor was there any screen which indicated by choosing the 'no ' radio button that I did n't have a code, the account was ineligible for the bonus nor did any scree state that the bonus requires a code. I believe this is consumer fraud by this banking institution. I suspect others may have been mislead by this internet scheme not unlike 'bait and switch. '' Huntington has made no effort to correct the website.

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief