Consumer complaint received 2025-02-22 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Funds not handled or disbursed as instructed
Company: FIFTH THIRD FINANCIAL CORPORATION
State: MI

Complaint narrative:
Formal Demand for Resolution of Mishandled Account, Recovery of Funds, and Negligence in Addressing Fraudulent Transactions To Whom It May Concern : I am writing to formally address the gross mishandling of my incapacitated fathers bank account by Fifth Third Bank, which has resulted in significant financial loss, emotional distress, and a breach of fiduciary responsibility. Despite providing the required court-ordered guardianship documentation on XX/XX/year>, your institution failed to implement and enforce the necessary safeguards to protect my fathers finances. This negligence has directly contributed to unauthorized withdrawals, financial exploitation, and unnecessary hardship for my father, who is on a fixed income. 

Key Issues and Chronology of Events : 1. Submission of Court-Ordered Guardianship Documentation ( XX/XX/year> ) : I submitted legal documentation establishing my guardianship over my father due to his incapacitated state. Despite this, your bank failed to restrict his access to his accounts, enabling him to make numerous unauthorized withdrawals from May through XX/XX/year>. 
2. Unauthorized Withdrawals Despite Multiple Complaints : Over several months, I submitted numerous complaints regarding these unauthorized transactions. However, your institution failed to take corrective action, allowing my father to continue withdrawing funds. These funds were critical for his medical needs but were instead misused for nonessential expenses such as alcohol, tobacco, and unnecessary gifts. 
3. Negligence in Handling Fraudulent Transactions XXXX  : A company named XXXX had been fraudulently withdrawing funds from my fathers account under the guise of an appliance warranty service. Upon discovering this, I promptly notified Fifth Third Bank. In response, a provisional credit of approximately {$2800.00} was issued, which I initially believed was a step in the right direction. 
However, within a week, Fifth Third Bank reversed the provisional credit without proper justification, effectively seizing my fathers income, which consists solely of fixed government benefits. This reversal caused severe financial hardship, as my father relies on these limited funds to cover his basic living expenses and medical bills. 
To make matters worse, XXXX service was misrepresented : They charged {$170.00} per month under the pretense of providing comprehensive appliance coverage. 
When a claim was filed, not only did they demand an additional {$75.00} deposit, but they also stated that the maximum reimbursement would be only $ XXXX fraction of what had been paid into the policy. 
This deceptive practice constitutes predatory behavior, and Fifth Third Banks failure to protect my father from such transactions is unacceptable. 
4. Unprofessional Conduct by Fifth Third Bank Representatives : My attempts to resolve these issues were met with dismissive and unprofessional behavior from bank representatives, including XXXX XXXX XXXX, who treated the matter with inappropriate levity. 
Despite assurances from her superior that the matter would be investigated, no meaningful resolution was provided. 
Eventually, my fathers account was arbitrarily referred to an elderly abuse authority, despite the fact that the real issue was Fifth Third Banks failure to honor a court order and protect my fathers assets. 

Consequences of Fifth Third Banks Negligence : Your institutions negligence has caused : Significant financial loss, including the reversal of provisional credits and unauthorized transactions. 
Emotional distress due to the stress of managing my fathers compromised finances. 
Delayed medical care and unpaid essential bills, directly impacting my fathers health and well-being. 

Formal Demands for Immediate Resolution : 1. Full Reimbursement of all unauthorized transactions, including Paylink-related withdrawals, debit card transactions, and the reversed provisional credit. 
2. Restoration of My Fathers Financial Stability by reimbursing funds necessary to cover his medical expenses and essential living costs. 
3. Policy Review and Corrective Action to ensure that court-ordered guardianship documents are properly honored in the future.

4. Written Apology acknowledging Fifth Third Banks mishandling of this matter and the distress caused. 
XXXX. Prompt Response : I demand a resolution within 10 business days from the date of this letter. 

If this matter is not resolved satisfactorily within the stated timeframe, I will pursue all available legal remedies, including filing formal complaints with regulatory authorities such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ( OCC ), and the appropriate state banking commission. Additionally, I will not hesitate to initiate legal action to recover damages for financial loss, emotional distress, and breach of fiduciary duty. 

This is your final opportunity to address this matter amicably. I strongly advise that you treat this issue with the urgency and seriousness it deserves. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief