Consumer complaint received 2026-03-10 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Deposits and withdrawals
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I recently opened this account with Citibank. I opened it on XX/XX/year>. I chose to open an account with citibank because my temporary XXXX checks are issued by citibank. I walked into the branch to cash a check for {$6200.00}. They told me they could not cash the check and that I must open an account. I open an account, I deposit the full amount of the check. I am told by the teller and the banker that the funds would be available the next day, on Saturday, XX/XX/year>. They gave me a temporary atm card and said my card would be delivered next day. On XX/XX/year>, my account showed no available funds and no pending deposits. I go into a branch to find out where my money is, and I'm told no check was deposited. Even though I had paperwork stating a deposit amount of {$6200.00}. I go thru the folder i was given when opening the account and my check was inside. So the teller has me deposit the check and tells me funds will be available in XXXX business days. The fact that they issued the check did not seem to matter. Once the check cleared, I have encounter constant card declines and account freezes due to " fraud protection ''. I have not reported any fraud. No fraud has taken place. There has been XXXX activity on my account not made by me trying to move money around to pay bills. When calling to have the freeze removed, they ask me to verify my phone number. I give them my number, that I used to open my account, and they will not accept it. I give them my other phone number, of which my name is on the account. And they do not accept it. I gave them my ex girlfriends phone number on XX/XX/year>, she answered and quickly performed a XXXX way call for me to speak to the bank so I could verify and they accepted it. They said they lifted the restrictions and I could continue as normal. On XX/XX/year>, i tried to send a payment thru teller for {$2000.00}. It was denied. I realized it was because I had a daily limit of {$500.00}. I tried to send {$500.00}. It was denied. I go to XXXX to purchase something to drink for {$3.00} and my card is declined. hours later I go to the atm to remove {$500.00}. The transaction was denied. I call fraud department for probably the XXXX time in 3 days. They ask me to verify by phone AGAIN. They still will not accept my phone numbers. Im angry and hang up. They respond by locking me out of my mobile and online banking. I call back when I have a friend with me, I give them his phone number, And they will not accept the number because it's not in my name. Even though just the day before I used a number not in my name and it worked. I walk in to the branch on XX/XX/year> with my ID to withdraw cash to pay bills. They will not let me access my money. They said they're mailing me a letter with a code on it to unlock my account. Now I have to wait 7 days or more to access my money. I can't pay bills. I can't buy gas to get to work. I can't feed myself and my child. They will not allow me to close my account either. They have taken my money hostage for no reason.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief