Consumer complaint received 2025-03-10 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Deposits and withdrawals
Company: BMO BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
Subject : Complaint Regarding Unfair Banking Practices and Account Closure To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint regarding the unfair treatment I experienced with XXXX XXXX in XXXX in XXXX  in relation to a fraudulent loan scam that resulted in the unjust closure of my account and XXXX of my funds. 

Background of the XXXX XXXX XX/XX/year>, I was targeted by a fraudulent loan agency. As part of their scam, they instructed me to provide my online banking credentials to verify my accounts activity before processing my loan. At the time, I believed this was a legitimate step in the loan process. Shortly after, XXXX fraudulent checks, each were attempted to be deposited into my savings account. However, the bank identified these deposits as fraudulent and blocked them from going through, ensuring that no funds were withdrawn or deposited. 

Despite this, BMO Harris Bank In XXXX XXXX, held me fully responsible for the scam. They : Froze my bank accounts, denying me access to my own legitimate funds. 

Confiscated over {$1000.00} from my accountan amount that far exceeded the fraudulent checks that were never successfully deposited. 

Refused to review the evidence I gathered on the scam, despite my efforts to report the incident. 

Denied my request to retrieve my bank statements, suspending my online banking access and refusing to allow me to print records. 

Forced me to deal exclusively with a bank XXXX, rather than providing me with normal customer service. 

Discriminatory Treatment Due to Past Criminal History During my interactions with the bank, I was treated as if I were the perpetrator rather than the victim. I have a criminal record from over XXXX  years ago that includes charges related to insufficient funds and fraud. However, I have since fulfilled all legal obligations and rebuilt my life. This past should not have been used as justification for my mistreatment in this situation. 

I attempted to cooperate with the banks fraud department by offering to provide documentation on the scam, including my FBI fraud report, but they refused to accept any evidence that could have demonstrated my innocence. Instead, they labeled me a fraud risk, closed my account, and effectively banned me from bankingpreventing me from opening an account elsewhere. 

My Request for XXXX I believe BMO Harris Bank acted unfairly and possibly in violation of consumer protection laws. I am requesting the following : XXXX. A full explanation of why my account was frozen and why my legitimate funds were confiscated, and why they also took my entire payroll check that was direct deposited a week after the incident occured which was over XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

XXXX. Copies of my full banking records from the period before and during the incident. 

XXXX. An investigation into whether my account was wrongfully reported to banking databases like XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX  ) and if so, to have those reports corrected or removed. 

XXXX. A fair reconsideration of my case, acknowledging that I was a victim of a scam, not a perpetrator of fraud. 

I respectfully ask the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to review my case and ensure that XXXX XXXX is held accountable for their actions. Thank you for your time and assistance. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation