Consumer complaint received 2026-03-18 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Funds not handled or disbursed as instructed
Company: COMMERCE BANK
State: MO

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, MO XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Consumer Financial Protection Bureau XXXX. XXXX XXXX Washington XXXX DC XXXX Re : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) and Commerce Bank XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX VA XXXX XXXX Account XXXX by 38 U.S.C. 5301 To Whom It May Concern : I am submitting this complaint against XXXX XXXX XXXX ( doing business as XXXX ) and Commerce Bank regarding repeated attempts by Square to debit my personal bank account, which receives my 100 % VA XXXX compensation and is therefore protected under federal law. My concern is that XXXX conduct, and my banks processing or attempted processing of these debits, violate protections for VA benefits and applicable consumer financial laws. My name is XXXX XXXX XXXX, and I am the owner of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, a Missouri business. The bank account at issue ends in XXXX and is held at Commerce Bank. That account is funded by my VA XXXX compensation, which is my primary source of income. Background and facts XXXX. XXXX XXXX, XXXX performed electrical work for XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and provided a Certificate of Completion confirming that all contracted work was completed in a code compliant manner. XXXX used that certificate to obtain payment from the project owner. XXXX. After being paid, XXXX initiated a chargeback or similar dispute through XXXX in an apparent attempt to recoup funds while still retaining the benefit of XXXX XXXX completed work. XXXX. XXXX has attempted to satisfy XXXX claimed chargeback by debiting my personal bank account ending in XXXX, which is the account into which my VA XXXX compensation is directly deposited. XXXX. I have expressly revoked any authorization for XXXX or XXXX to debit that account and sent a written cease and desist notice, but XXXX has continued to attempt debits, causing overdrafts and dishonored payments. Harm suffered As a direct result of XXXX repeated debit attempts against this protected account, and my banks handling of those attempts, I have suffered the following harms : Multiple routine payments ( such as utilities and other recurring obligations ) were dishonored or returned. I incurred late fees, overdraft fees, returned check fees, and other bank imposed penalties. I have incurred and continue to incur legal fees and substantial time and effort to address these issues. I have experienced significant stress and hardship because these funds are my VA XXXX compensation and are critical to my basic living expenses. The additional stress has exacerbated my XXXX conditions and ailments. Legal protections implicated Under 38 U.S.C. 5301, VA XXXX benefits are exempt from the claim of creditors and are not subject to attachment, XXXX, or XXXX either before or after receipt by the beneficiary under any legal or equitable process. XXXX regarding VA benefits emphasizes that creditors and financial institutions may not lawfully use routine collection or setoff mechanisms to reach VA XXXX funds in this manner. Federal consumer financial laws, including the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and related regulations, impose duties regarding unauthorized or improper debits and error resolution on financial institutions handling consumer bank accounts. Squares continued attempts to debit my VA funded account, after notice and revocation of any authorization, and my banks role in allowing or attempting to process such debits, appear to violate these protections and constitute unfair or abusive acts and practices. Requested CFPB action I respectfully request that the CFPB : XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) to : Immediately cease all present and future debit attempts against my VA funded account ending in XXXX. Reverse or reimburse all fees, charges, and losses caused by its improper debit attempts, including overdraft, returned item, and related penalties. Correct its internal records to reflect that my account receiving VA XXXX compensation is not to be used as a collection vehicle for Cogencys disputed claim. XXXX. Require Commerce Bank to : Treat my account as a VA benefits account protected under 38 U.S.C. 5301. Reverse or reimburse all overdraft, returned item, and related fees that were triggered by XXXX improper debit attempts. Implement appropriate safeguards so that future attempts by XXXX or similar entities to reach my VA XXXX funds are declined and do not result in any fees or negative consequences to me. XXXX. Investigate whether the conduct of XXXX and/or Commerce Bank constitutes violations of federal consumer financial law, including unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices XXXX XXXX ), in the handling of accounts funded by protected VA XXXX XXXX. Documents attached I am attaching the following documents in support of this complaint : Bank statements showing : Direct deposit of VA XXXX benefits into the account ending in XXXX ; and Squares attempted debits and resulting overdrafts/fees. My written cease and desist/ revocation of authorization sent to XXXX and any responses. The XXXX of XXXX provided to XXXX and any related correspondence demonstrating that XXXX XXXX fully performed its contractual obligations. Any notices or correspondence from Commerce Bank relating to overdrafts, returned items, or account related fees tied to XXXX debit attempts. I certify that the information provided in this complaint is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please contact me if you require any additional information or documentation. Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation