Consumer complaint received 2020-10-31
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Closing an account — Company closed your account
Company: TRUIST FINANCIAL CORPORATION (MS)

My father received a settlement check. He brought it to me in the amount of {$18000.00}, endorsed the back of it and asked me to put it in my bank account. My bank at the time was SunTrust who I believe is in the process of merging with another bank. I endorsed the back of it and deposited it into my account on my way home from work in the ATM machine on XX/XX/2020. When The check cleared, I notified my father that funds were available and he asked me to withdraw some funds. He was in the market to purchase a car. I withdrew {$10000.00} on XX/XX/2020. A few days later, I attempted to use my bank card and was not able to. Tried logging online to check my account and was not able to. Finally decided to call the bank to see what was going on and was told that my account was being closed. They said it had to do with their rules and regulations. I was advised that the account would be officially closed in about 15 days and once it was, any funds in the account would be returned to me via check within like 10 days. While I did not understand why, nor agree with what was taking place, I had no control. This time passed, I did not receive a check for my funds. I called to check and was told that they were still holding my funds. No one could give me a true explanation, I was not able to speak with the actual department ( back office ) that was handling my funds so the information that I was being given was very limited. I was told to see if I could obtain a copy of the cleared check. I reached out to my father and he contacted the attorney 's office and we did get the requested. I made an appointment to speak with a live person at the branch to see if I could get some resolve and bring the requested cleared check. The appointment only resulted in me being advised that they would open up a complaint and try to escalate things. Nothing became of the complaint and I am still without funds. I eventually asked an attorney friend to try and help. He spoke with someone who advised me to get a notarized statement from my father stating that he had given me the check and authorized me to deposit it. I was also asked to write a statement and have it notarized stating the account was my account and explain what happened. We also obtained a copy of the settlement paperwork from my father 's attorney, made another appointment at the branch and my father, attorney friend and myself went to see the manager of that branch with the documentation requested. This appointment took place around XX/XX/2020. We spoke with the bank manager, he called the back office and spoke with someone who he emailed the statements to. I was told to follow in 3 days. Sufficed to say, I did follow up and had trouble getting back in touch with the branch manager. My attorney friend eventually reached the manager and was advised that they were not going to give me back the funds and that I needed to have the maker of the check to recall it. This made no sense to me but I asked my father to reach out to his attorney. He contacted his attorney who has made an attempt to reach out to the branch manager at the bank and has had no luck. It is now XX/XX/2020. My funds have been held since XXXX. I need these funds to be released and am seeking help to try and have this done. All parties - myself, my father and the maker of the check have tried reaching the bank in an effort to get funds released to no avail. I have bank statements, notarized statements, copy of the cleared check, settlement paperwork, access to the attorney 's office who issued the check and my father ready to assist in getting my funds. Please help me ....