Consumer complaint received 2025-08-29 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Problem making or receiving payments
Company: DISCOVER BANK
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Email : XXXXXXXX Phone : XXXX Date : XX/XX/XXXX Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Subject : Formal Complaint Against Discover Bank for Improper Restriction of My Phone Number for XXXX Use with Other Financial Institutions Complainant Information : Account Number with Discover Bank : XXXX ( Closed ) Last Four of SSN : XXXX Date of Birth : XX/XX/XXXX Dear Sir or Madam, I am filing this complaint against Discover Bank for unfair and improper practices that have blocked my ability to use my personal phone number and email address with the XXXX payment service at other financial institutions. 

Facts : XXXX. My phone number, XXXX, and email, XXXX, were previously linked to my Discover Bank account ( Account Number XXXX, now closed ) for XXXX transactions. 
XXXX. My account is also associated with SSN ending in XXXX and date of birth XX/XX/XXXX. 
XXXX. After discontinuing XXXX use with Discover Bank, I attempted to register the same phone number and email with another financial institution. 
XXXX. I was informed that Discover Bank continues to hold my phone number and email in its XXXX records, thereby preventing me from using these identifiers elsewhere. 
XXXX. Upon contacting XXXX directly, I was told that Discover Bank has blocked my XXXX profile for life. 
XXXX. This restriction has caused me direct inconvenience, loss of service, and interference with my ability to transact with other institutions. 

Legal Basis : Under 15 U.S.C. 45 ( a ) ( FTC Act ), unfair or deceptive acts or practices in commerce are unlawful. Retaining control over a customers phone number and email for XXXX use after account closure may constitute an unfair practice when it causes substantial injury without countervailing benefits. 
Restatement ( Second ) of Torts 766A and contract interference doctrines recognize wrongful interference with a partys ability to perform lawful transactions with third parties. 
In XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, unfair conduct was defined as practices not reasonably avoidable by consumers and which cause harm. Preventing me from registering my identifiers elsewhere clearly meets this test. 
State UDAP ( Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices ) precedents, including XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ), similarly define unfairness as harm that outweighs any benefit. 

Relief Requested : I respectfully request that the CFPB investigate Discover Banks conduct and require the bank to : XXXX. Immediately release my phone number ( XXXX ) and email address ( XXXX ) from any XXXX XXXX with Discover Bank. 
XXXX. Provide written confirmation that this has been done. 
XXXX. Ensure that Discover Bank ceases the practice of permanently blocking former customers identifiers, which unlawfully restricts consumer choice and market participation. 

This matter has caused significant interference with my ability to conduct financial transactions and represents an ongoing unfair practice. I ask that the CFPB take enforcement action to remedy the issue and prevent similar harm to other consumers. 

Thank you for your time and attention to this complaint. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation