Consumer complaint received 2015-06-30
Product: Bank account or service — Other bank product/service
Issue: Problems caused by my funds being low — 
Company: ASTORIA BANK (NY)

Astoria Bank steals from a XXXX Identity fraud victim while she was in the hospital. 

Identity Fraud, It is a scary situation, even more difficult when you find yourself moving back and forth from a XXXX to a XXXX assistance program. But what do you do when your bank also seizes the opportunity to steal from you and from the taxpayers, stating " it is not our fault you are a victim of Identity Fraud. This bank did n't make the error '' XXXX XXXX came to New York XXXX years ago with her husband for medically related issues. XXXX based on her medical situation, no private insurance would pay for a XXXX. Since only XXXX XXXX in the country were qualified to perform this XXXX, they found themselves in New York. Her situation was very dark. 
After losing their home, cars, and business to a medical bankruptcy, they made their way with a very slim hope of surviving. While others were fighting " The Great Recession '', XXXX and her husband had to face XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, Social Security, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX ... on and on and on, all while significant budget cuts were being made. " I felt like I was a criminal, constantly begging and pleading for help to survive '' Top it off with a hospital bed every XXXX weeks based on an XXXX. In all XXXX XXXX totaling over XXXX days, XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX of doctors ' appointments, XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX all while trying to survive on a net XXXX income of {$770.00} after the government copays and premiums. Since they were only granted up to XXXX hours a day in XXXX, XXXX had to take care of his wife the remaining time, thus limiting any chance of employment. They also had to wrestle the fact that they were not allowed to make any additional income because they would have lost all the medical coverage and benefits they needed to survive. Their only option, to do the best they could to survive in New York on less than {$800.00} per month. XXXX and XXXX never lived a life of always taking and never giving back. Though they were stuck in this situation, they feared become a drain on society without doing their part to give back, no matter how small that was. They also felt alone since they were just a number or a case to many government agencies, Hospitals, etc ... To compensate, and to show appreciation for what little they were given from the government and the taxpayers, XXXX ( and XXXX when possible ) would donate their time to their church, dialysis centers, and many other non-profits like WOOinc - an inner city youth development program in XXXX. 
During one of XXXX 's XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX and XXXX fell victim to Identity fraud summing up over {$1000.00} of charges through XXXX. Like most Americans, accounts were linked, in this case XXXX was linked to her bank account and this started a chain event of bank fees and charges. Most conspirers of identity fraud now use different websites and smaller dollar amounts, instead of one lump sum, causing an even more difficult time proving/getting the charges reversed.. 
Like all of us who have fallen victim to Identity fraud, XXXX did what they had to do while his wife was at home with the nurse aide. They filed the police report, who also directed them to the FBI since it also included a web based sites. XXXX, contacted XXXX and Astoria and filled out all the necessary reports/documents. XXXX