Consumer complaint received 2024-01-25
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Problem caused by your funds being low — Overdrafts and overdraft fees
Company: FIFTH THIRD FINANCIAL CORPORATION (IL)

In XX/XX/2023 my parents and I went to XXXX Bank in XXXX, IL to open a bank account for me. I was XXXX at the time. I needed an account because my mother on XXXX had been receiving benefits from social security XXXX to her for me as a dependent because I was a minor for XXXX  years. We received notification from social security that because I was turning XXXX in XXXX my benefits would no longer go to my mother for me, but to myself. We went to XXXX where my parents had accounts for years. I received my first paper check on XX/XX/XXXX. I deposited my check through the app using my phone as it was instructed I could do by the representative that helped me open the account. I thought it was a great idea and convenient. About an hour later I went to check my deposit and learned that XXXX had placed my account in the negative of XXXX. I was not sure what was going on. My dad a cosigner on the account called and was told it was done because of the check I deposited and I needed to call fraud myself since I was now XXXX. The next day I called with my mom. I was basically told the account was on hold because they needed to verify my check. I told the representative that they have the check, please verify it with social security. They refused telling me that I needed to bring a social security benefit letter to verify the check. I was then getting upset not understanding why I was required to provide a letter to verify a check they already had. How do you verify a check other than with the check. All that they needed to do was verify the check with social security. But instead they held my account in the negative. My mom then realized that they didnt want to verify the check which they knew was good but to see proof I was entitled to receive my own money. It baffles me to understand why I needed to show a benefit letter. I felt violated and discriminated against. Why i am entitled to receive social security is no ones business. Do they ask for documentation from employers from those depositing checks that they work there? I asked for documentation that this was a regular requirement for all customers submitting a check and not just me. And of course they could not. My mother sitting listening to the entire conversation intervened. She questioned why a benefit letter was required for a government issued check they had visual inspection of to verify. My mom asked for a supervisor. And was told one was not available. We were speaking with the fraud department and could not fathom out of all departments a supervisor was not available. It was not difficult to assume we were being dismissed. I'm furious about how both me and my mother were treated. Why was I asked to provide proof of my entitlement to receive social security benefits when they had the check. Why is there no written documentation of this requirement for XXXX which leads me to feel its discrimination. I want documentation of their policy on this. And all and anf fees taken off of my account.