Consumer complaint received 2024-07-06 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Other banking product or service
Issue: Managing an account — Deposits and withdrawals
Company: CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION, THE
State: AZ

Complaint narrative:
Addendum # XXXX : Included as the following.=============================================================================================================================== I would like to emphasize that I only contacted customer service in an attempt to activate a debit card that they sent me. Most companies do this through an automated system, but unfortunately XXXX XXXX does not have the necessary technology to accomplish such a task reliably in that fashion. ONE, They verified my phone number as the number on my account ; plus, TWO, I was calling regarding a new debit card that they sent directly to my home address and I received ; THREE, It was their activation service that wasnt functioning, whether through incompetence or design, FOUR, I had just transferred funds to my trading account literally minutes before the call ; FIVE, I opened a new account from XXXX XXXX which I have maintained going back to the XXXX days, DECADES! ; XXXX, at that time I opened a new individual trading account as a transfer from the pre-existing Ameritade account, transferring remaining funds and all while also opening it, as well as opening a new checking account to better facilitate transfers to the trading account ; XXXX, after opening aforementioned accounts, DOING SO ENTIRELY ONLINE, I made XXXX transfers to my new checking account as well as purchasing shares in an ETF, all with never entering a branch ; XXXX, then, after regular activity for over a month I called regarding the activation of my debit card and get put through the ringer. Including, XXXX, being falsely blamed for disconnecting a call which XXXX virtually certain the representative intentionally cut off and, XXXX, learning later that after cutting off my call the representative chose to do a XXXX search in which, amazingly, I was found guilty of something. Was my name and information entered properly? Based on the representative it is clear there were nefarious intentions behind her actions. AFTER WHICH I was ordered to report to a branch some XXXX miles away if I wanted to regain access with my own money. As I already mentioned, I am disabled and do not drive. I HAVE NO WAY TO GET THERE OR BACK AND WAS TOLD THE TRAVEL WOULD BE AT MY OWN EXPENSE. ALL FOR {$200.00} THAT THEY EFFECTIVELY STOLE BY DENYING MY ABILITY TO ACCESS IT OR MY ACCOUNT. I currently survive through SSDI from benefits earned with XXXX contributions. 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Addendum # XXXX : From Complaint Number XXXX I have subsequently been instructed that I will need to travel XXXX miles to the closest schwab branch to personally verify my identity. PURE HARASSMENT PLAIN AND SIMPLE. Access to the account was cutoff with no warning under flimsy justification. I am XXXX and do XXXX XXXX. How am I supposed to travel XXXX miles, XXXX ways, to gain access to my account that I've had without issue when funding it, all just for access to my roughly {$200.00} schwab is holding hostage? This account was transferred from an XXXX account that I maintained for many years. Now suddenly my identity is in question. Nothing seems a little fishy or fraudulent about that? 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Original Complaint : From Complaint Number XXXX I was unable to activate the debit card received by mail so was forced to call customer support multiple times. XXXX call I was disconnected. I suspect the representative ended the call on her end, however, I learned later they accused me of disconnecting the call. As a result, they locked me out of online access to my assets. Demanded excessive personal information over the phone. Demanded that I verify myself at a branch in person. All in the name of " security. '' This is clearly not about security, IT IS ABOUT HARASSMENT! I am trying to liquidate my assets and withdraw all funds, but they refuse my access to my own account and online banking. Without online access, cut off without warning, I don't even have access to such basic information as account balances or account numbers. This includes access to my Schwab banking account and brokerage assets. I WANT TO MAKE THIS PERFECTLY CLEAR. I CAN NOT EVEN PROVIDE MY ACCOUNT NUMBER SINCE I CAN NOT ACCESS MY ACCOUNT. AS WELL, I AM UNABLE TO ACCESS MY STATEMENTS FOR SUCH INFORMATION SINCE THEY ARE ONLY ACCESSIBLE TO ME ONLINE. IN SHORT, THEY ARBITRARILY, THROUGH ONE OBNOXIOUS/ BELLIGERENT REP, CUT ME OFF FROM ALL ACCESS TO MY MONEY AND THE INFORMATION CONNECTED TO IT!

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation