Consumer complaint received 2026-04-28 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Closing an account — Funds not received from closed account
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: VA

Complaint narrative:
Re : XXXX XXXX XXXX Bank of America , N.A . Wrongful Withholding of {$27000.00} IRS XXXX XXXX and Closure of Consumer Checking Account # XXXX Dear Consumer Financial Protection Bureau : I am writing to file a formal consumer complaint against Bank of America , N.A . ( Bank of America or BOA ) regarding the wrongful withholding of {$27000.00} in XXXX Treasury IRS refund funds that were deposited into my personal checking account on XX/XX/XXXX, and the subsequent closure of that account without returning the funds to me, to my wife, or to the IRS. Summary of Complaint On XX/XX/XXXX, I attempted to deposit a XXXX Treasury IRS refund check in the amount of {$27000.00} into XXXX Bank of America XXXX checking account, ending in account number XXXX. The check was originally issued by the Internal Revenue Service to my wife, XXXX XXXX XXXX, who properly endorsed the check over to me, XXXX XXXX XXXX, so the funds could be deposited into my account. Bank of America accepted the check and received the funds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. However, Bank of America did not honor the deposit, did not credit the funds to my account, and subsequently closed my checking account without releasing the money to me. When I contacted Bank of America to resolve this matter, the bank told me it is holding the {$27000.00} indefinitely until the IRS requests the funds back. I have called Bank of America repeatedly for XXXX ( XXXX ) months and the bank has not provided any resolution, any timeline for returning the funds, or any written explanation for why the deposit was not honored. My wife, XXXX XXXX XXXX, has spent the last XXXX months calling the IRS in an effort to recover the funds. The IRS has refused to request the money back from Bank of America because the refund check was endorsed over to me. My wife also filed a claim with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service. The Bureau of the Fiscal Service and the IRS investigated and then closed the claim, again because the check had been endorsed to me before deposit. The result is that Bank of America is in possession of {$27000.00} of U.S. Treasury funds that it refuses to either credit to my account or return to the IRS. No federal agency we have contacted will act until Bank of America releases the funds. We are caught in the middle, with no checking account, no deposit, and no path to recover our money. My family and I are living paycheck to paycheck. The loss of {$27000.00} has caused significant financial hardship and emotional stress for XXXX months. We urgently need this matter resolved. Key Facts and Timeline Key facts and timeline : Original payee : XXXX XXXX XXXX ( my wife ) Endorsee / depositor : XXXX XXXX XXXX ( myself ) Issuer of check : U.S. Department of the Treasury / Internal Revenue Service Check amount : {$27000.00} Deposit date : XX/XX/XXXX Bank : Bank of America , N.A . Account number : XXXX ( subsequently closed by Bank of America ) Funds received by Bank of America from U.S. Treasury : Yes ( confirmed ) Funds credited to my account : No Funds returned to the IRS : No Time elapsed without resolution : Approximately 9 months as of the date of this letter IRS claim status : Closed ( because the check was endorsed to me ) U.S. Treasury Bureau of the Fiscal Service claim status : Closed ( because the check was endorsed to me ) Why This Conduct Violates Consumer Financial Protection XXXX Bank of Americas conduct appears to constitute an unfair, deceptive, or abusive act or practice ( UDAAP ) under the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010, 12 U.S.C. 5531, including but not limited to : Accepting a deposit, receiving the funds from the U.S. Treasury, and then refusing to credit those funds to the account holder. Closing a consumers checking account while retaining {$27000.00} of the consumers funds without lawful justification. Failing to provide any written explanation, resolution, or timeline despite XXXX months of repeated requests. Refusing to either credit the deposit to the account or return the funds to the issuing federal agency, leaving the consumer with no recourse. Causing substantial, ongoing financial injury to a consumer who is already living paycheck to paycheck, an injury that is not reasonably avoidable and not outweighed by any legitimate benefit to consumers or competition. Resolution Requested I respectfully request that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau investigate this matter and XXXX Bank of America to take XXXX of the following actions immediately : XXXX Credit the full {$27000.00} deposit, plus any applicable interest, to me as the named depositor ; OR XXXX. Return the full {$27000.00} to the U.S. Department of the Treasury XXXX Internal Revenue Service so that the IRS can reissue a replacement refund check to the original payee, XXXX XXXX XXXX. In addition, I request that Bank of America provide a complete written explanation of why the deposit was not honored, why the account was closed, and the XXXX XXXX under which the bank has retained these funds for XXXX months. Enclosures Enclosures/ Supporting Documentation : Copy of the IRS refund check in the amount of {$27000.00}, payable to XXXX XXXX XXXX and endorsed to XXXX XXXX XXXX Bank of America XXXX statement showing the deposit on XX/XX/XXXX to account ending XXXX Limited Power of Attorney Thank you for your assistance. I authorize the CFPB to share this complaint and the enclosed documents with Bank of America for purposes of investigation and resolution. Please contact me at the phone number XXXX or email address : XXXX if any further information is needed.

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