Consumer complaint received 2025-04-29 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Deposits and withdrawals
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: CT

Complaint narrative:
I opened my bank account with CitiBank just about a month ago. I deposited money into the account and made some purchases and transfers. Several purchases were declined. I called and confirmed they were legit transactions with their fraud unit. This past Thursday I tried to send a vent payment and it was declined. I called the bank the next day after receiving an email saying I had to call to verify suspicious activity and was told my account was under review. I was told I could go into the bank and withdraw money to use as needed since my card was blocked. I went into the bank and was told I couldn't withdraw any money and no one gave me a reason why. After XXXX hours in the bank I left with no money. I called the fraud dept hours later and was told my account was scheduled for closure in 30 to 60 days and that Citibank will send me a bank check with my balance in 60 days. 

I told them I can not wait 60 days. I have to pay {$1500.00} for my XXXX XXXX XXXX medication which I haven't been able to get for her in 5 days since this happened. I can not go to work or buy food or get gas. I can't do anything because all of my money was put into my Citibank account and now they are destroyed by my life. I told Citibank I am willing to go through every single transaction in the 3-4 weeks my account has been opened to prove to them that there is nothing that warrants closure of my account and also price to them that their XXXXXXXX XXXX is not very good and they are using a flawed system that ruins lives. 
I called the fraud dept over XXXX times. I was abused and discriminated against and they refused to transfer me to a supervisor and hung up on me when I asked to speak to a US Representative. One time when I called, the person I spoke to was clearly at home because his dog was barking in the background. He refused to help me and hung up on me. How is it possible that these banks can put my be account on the screen inside somebody's home and that is secure??? I finally spoke to someone in the US after calling a different number saying I want to file a complaint. The US Representative was very nice and helpful and said she escalated it to her supervisor, although I haven't heard from anyone in 3 days. I have also emailed the Citi executive response unit who, after 2 days. Finally emailed me back saying they will get back to me in 15 calendar days. 
I don't have 15 days and definitely don't have 60 days to access my money. My Wife needs her medication NOW. I need to work before I lose my home. 
I will be filing a XXXX discrimination suit and complaint against Citi. They record their calls so it will be clear as day that all I said is the truth. 
We put our money and trust into banks and they say we are protected but in reality they destroy so many lives. Something needs to change. The fact that a bank employee is sitting at home with a barking dog in the. Background looking at my back account is terrible. The XXXX XXXX these banks use to XXXX ' things is clearly not as good as they think. My account is XXXX weeks maybe XXXX weeks old. I did nothing close to warrant any of this and now because of it my entire life is ruined and the last 5 days have been absolute XXXX and my wife gets weaker every day and I can't do anything about it. 

SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE. 

Also, during one of the many calls to the fraud dept, one of the reps verified my identity and reviewed my account and then proceeded to tell me that I tried to deposit a check made out to someone else into my Citibank account. I stopped her immediately and said her system is incorrect and that is not true and I want her to show me the check she is talking about. I haven't deposited any check into my account and NEVER have deposited a check made to someone else into this account. So clearly their is a glitch in the CitiBank system if she just verified my identity and is looking at my account and telling me something that I KNOW never happened. She refused to give me any information and refused to transfer me to a supervisor and would not give me her name and then hung up on me.

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 monetary relief