Consumer complaint received 2024-03-04
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Problem with a lender or other company charging your account — Transaction was not authorized
Company: U.S. BANCORP (CA)

US Bank fraudulently opened an account with my SSN even though I had already placed a security alert on my credit. I called multiple times for them to close the account and remove the fees, but they refused. They created a burdensome process for me to report the fraud and remove their ongoing bank fees for an account I did not open. They kept charging me every month, even though I requested multiple times to close the account and remove the fees for an account I didn't open. When I had their ID Theft Package filled out and faxed to them, they issued me a blackmail letter to pay their fees or risk being reported to consumer reporting agencies and get denied by other financial institutions. When I called again for US Bank to close the account and remove the fees, their agent stalled for 1 hour and 15 minutes before closing the account and told me to " get the XXXX off my line. '' XX/XX/XXXX : I realized that my former tenants were using my SSN to open accounts and created a security alert to prevent accounts from being opened in my name. 

XX/XX/XXXX : I realized US Bank made an inquiry into my credit and I called them about being a victim of identity fraud, but they claimed that no account was associated with my SSN. 

XX/XX/XXXX : I received a statement from US Bank for opening a checking account and a fee of {$6.00} for having no balance. I called to inform them that I was a victim of ID fraud and asked them to closed the account. That I shouldn't be charged for an account I never opened. I was sent to the Fraud Department who insisted that I had to complete all the required documentation for the fees to be removed. 

XX/XX/XXXX : US Bank sends me a big ID Theft Packet to complete requiring me to provide a copy of my SSN card. I told them I would not submit a copy of my SSN card to a company that conspires with ID thieves top fraudulently open accounts when there is already a security alert attached to the SSN, but they insisted that's what's required for me to close the account and remove the US Bank fees. 

XX/XX/XXXX : I called again to close the account and was referred to a local branch to close the account. 

XX/XX/XXXX : I receive a statement with {$29.00} in US bank fees for monthly maintenance and a paper statement fee and the account was still open and charged for fees. 

XX/XX/XXXX : I filled out all the ID Theft Packet, passed it over to a local branch to get a notary of all the documents I provided, showed the notary my social security card, but noted that I do not want to send a copy of my Social Security card, and had the local branch fax all the documents to the US Bank Fraud Service Center as required by US Bank. 

XX/XX/XXXX : US Bank issues me a ( black mail ) letter to pay the balance of {$43.00} in US Bank fees ( for an account I did not open ) or else, " if additional transactions occur { that is if US Bank decides to charge me more maintenance fees }, you will be subject to Overdraft Paid Fees, collection efforts, and we may report your account to consumer reporting agencies. This could impact your ability to obtain services at other financial institutions. '' XX/XX/XXXX : I called the 800 US Bank number ( XXXX ) on the black mail letter it issued me to address the problem, requesting for them to close the account and remove US Bank 's fees. The agent insisted that she couldn't do it and that I need to go through the Fraud Department again. And, she told me the Fraud Department never received the ID Theft Packet I had the local branch fax, and that they would send me another packet for me to fill out with a copy of my Social Security card on it. I told her I would never send a copy of my SS card to an institution that harbors fraud and makes it extra hard for fraud victims to clear their names, and sends black mail letters to force fraud victims to pay their unwarranted fees. I insisted on speaking to the Legal Department whose contact info she refused to provide me. After XXXX hours, she finally said she elevated the issue and was able to remove the US Bank fees and close the account. Apparently, she was able to do what I had asked her to do in the beginning, but didn't want to do it. When I thanked her, she yelled out now " get the XXXX off my line. '' This bank is worse than the mob. Other banks try to help fraud victims. US Bank makes it as difficult as possible for fraud victims, tries to take advantage of us by making the ID theft process impossible to do, charging us monthly fees while not allowing us to close the account, then threaten to ruin our credit with other financial agencies when we try to sort things out.