Consumer complaint received 2017-09-09
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Deposits and withdrawals
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (FL)

On XX/XX/XXXX, I deposited a check into my checking account for {$26000.00}. The check was from XXXX XXXX XXXX  drawn on an account with XXXX XXXX / XXXX XXXX. The deposit was made via ATM. As expected, funds were made available as follows : {$300.00} immediately, {$4700.00} within 3 business days and the remaining within 5 business days.
Since we were in preparation for hurricane XXXX, it was important to me that I get at least a portion of the funds available quickly so that we could complete our preparations and evacuate. Therefore, I called Bank of America and spoke with a representative who eagerly assisted me in releasing the {$4700.00} portion stating that those funds should show as available in my account first thing in the morning. The next day ( XX/XX/XXXX ) funds were not yet available so I called them again. This time, the initial representative said she could not release any hold so I asked to speak with a supervisor who was understanding of my situation and release the {$4700.00} portion immediately. We then continued with our preparation and loaded up for evacuation.
The next morning ( XX/XX/XXXX ), just as we were leaving, I logged into my account and found that the {$4700.00} + the initial {$300.00} released were removed from my account once again with a memo that I would receive a letter in the mail explaining why. Since, at this time, these funds were critical to our evacuation plan, I called BOA again, spoke with 3 different associated and learned that the BOA " Risk '' department had placed a hold on the entire {$26000.00} claiming that they had reason to believe that " specific information indicates item may be returned. '' They would not provide additional information and refused to let me speak to the Risk department for more information. The best that they could do was ask that my case review be rushed and that I could receive the funds available within 24 hours. That representative told me that if I did n't have the funds in my account by XXXX to call back.
Again, the next day (XX/XX/XXXX ), still no funds so I called back. I spoke with 2 different representatives and the supervisor I spoke with put me on hold and spoke with the Risk department on my behalf. She then informed me that someone had attempted to call XXXX XXXX and left a message. I ask that she ask them to attempt again and after being put on hold for some time, came back and told me that the Risk department had attempted again but was only able to leave a message. She assured me that these things usually go quickly and that, if there were no problems, the issue should be resolved by close of business.
As of today, XX/XX/XXXX, I still have not received any release ( partial or full ) of the funds of my deposit and have no idea when they will be available. Because we did not have the funds to evacuate, we were forced to stay in the area possibly putting my family in harms way. In fact, as I write this complaint, the weather grows increasingly more dangerous with repeated tornado warnings and heavy rain and flooding ( and XXXX is n't forecast to arrive until tomorrow ).
I feel that BOA is being unfair holding these funds for such a long period. While I understand their desire to mitigate risk, I have had this account with BOA for over 10 years without any returned checks.