Consumer complaint received 2025-02-14 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Closing an account — Company closed your account
Company: DISCOVER BANK
State: MA

Complaint narrative:
I previously filed a complaint against Discover Bank ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ), but their response did not resolve my concerns and contained misleading, unfair, and inconsistent information. I am submitting this complaint to request a formal case reopening and further investigation due to unjustified financial harm, improper notification, and unfair application of policies by Discover. 

1. Overdraft Protection Was Applied Inconsistently and Unfairly Discover claims that their Overdraft Protection feature only applies if a linked deposit account exists.

However, I never had a linked account, and Overdraft Protection worked correctly for me in the past by preventing overdraft transactions.

Why did this system suddenly fail for this transaction, leading to an overdraft?

Discover has not explained why this same policy previously worked in my favor but was applied against me in this case.

2. Discover Did Not Properly Notify Me of the Negative Balance or Account Closure I was away on vacation at the time Discover sent mail warnings about my negative balance and potential account closure.

Discover never contacted me via phone, despite having ways to ensure I received the warning in time.

Because Discover relied on physical mail, I was deprived of a fair opportunity to resolve the issue before my account was closed.

I request that CFPB investigate whether Discovers reliance solely on mailed notices was a reasonable practice, given that they had alternative communication methods that could have ensured I received the warning in time.

3. Unclear and Misleading Cashback Bonus Forfeiture Policy At the time of closure, my account had {$13.00} in earned Cashback Bonus rewards that I had not yet redeemed.

Discover claims in its response that Cashback Bonuses " may be forfeited '' if an account is closed, but the term may is vague and lacks transparency.

What conditions determine whether Cashback Bonuses are forfeited?

Why was I not explicitly informed that my Cashback Bonus would be forfeited?

If Cashback Bonus forfeiture is applied selectively, is Discover discriminating against certain customers?

I request CFPB to investigate whether Discover applies Cashback Bonus forfeiture inconsistently and unfairly.

4. My Charge-Off Payment Was First Accepted and Rejected after I submitted this complaint, Creating Further Harm Discover initially accepted the charge-off in XX/XX/year>, bringing my account balance to {$0.00} as I followed their instructions exactly by mailing a check labeled Charged-off with my account number. 
When they responded to my complaint, they rejected my payment. 
Why was my payment later rejected despite following their explicit instructions and they accepted it at first?

Does Discover reverse charge-offs as a tactic to punish consumers or complicate resolution efforts?

Their sudden reversal raises concerns of obstruction and retaliation for my initial CFPB complaint.

5. Unfair Financial Harm and Request for CFPB Review Discovers inconsistent policy application, improper notification, forfeiture of my Cashback Bonus, and rejection of my payment have caused unjust financial harm.

This situation directly impacts my financial history and ability to manage my banking records. 
Discovers actions are unreasonable, and I request CFPB to reopen my complaint and require Discover to provide a fair resolution.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation