Consumer complaint received 2025-04-09 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Deposits and withdrawals
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: IL

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this formal complaint to report the discriminatory, negligent, and inappropriate handling of a legitimate legal settlement check I deposited at XXXX XXXX XXXX branch, which has resulted in financial disruption, emotional distress, and the closure of my account without due process. 

I am a XXXX XXXX. On Thursday XX/XX/XXXX, I deposited a settlement check of $ XXXX mailed to me by my attorney from a companyas part of a resolved legal matter. I deposited this check in person at the XXXX XXXX Citibank XXXX, professionally dressed, properly identified, and was assured I would receive partial funds Friday and the full amount by Saturday. I have receipts confirming this. 

However, by Friday afternoon, I was locked out of my account with no explanation. Over the following days, I was repeatedly told by XXXX fraud department to call back in XXXX hours. On Monday, then Tuesday, I followed up, only to learnafter going to the branch in person on Tuesday XXXX my account had been flagged for closure. I was not notified beforehand, given no opportunity to clarify or verify the legitimacy of the check, and I was told I would not receive my check backeven if it was XXXX 90 days. 

The branch XXXX and banker were dismissive. When I stated I felt profiled, the XXXX responded, XXXX, XXXX also XXXX, as if that precluded discrimination. I was also told : I thought you said you were cashing their check, not your own, insinuating that the check did not belong to me. It was, in fact, made payable to XXXX am the payee and rightful recipient. 

Citibank failed to conduct a proper investigation : No verification with the my attorney or the company who issued the check. 

No attempt to clarify the checks origin. 

No police involvement, despite allegedly suspecting fraud. 

No written notification of account closure or opportunity to respond ; until after I visited the branch in person. 

Further, a representative bizarrely asked me to provide the companys phone numberif fraud were truly suspected, why would they rely on a phone number I could fabricate? 

I deposited a legitimate check, XXXX of XXXX I received from the same legal case. The first was accepted by XXXX Bank without issue. Yet Citibank chose to treat me with suspicion, dismissiveness, and disrespect. 

As a XXXX woman engaged in a routine, lawful banking transaction, I believe I was profiled and subjected to discriminatory treatment that would not have occurred were I not from a protected class. 

I am requesting that : - Citibank provide a full written explanation of why my account was closed and why the check was flagged. 

- My check be returned or reissued, along with documentation of how it was handled. 

- The CFPB investigate XXXX actions for violations of financial, civil rights, or consumer protection regulations. 

- Citibank be held accountable for any discriminatory conduct, including bias-based profiling. 

I am prepared to submit all supporting documentation, including : Copy of the paystub Legal correspondence Deposit receipts Letter from the company that issued the check XXXX and position of staff involved : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX bank teller ( I have receipt ) XX/XX/XXXX ( only banker and XXXX at branch between XXXX ) Lastly, I just received a generic message stating this morning XX/XX/XXXX : We periodically review customer accounts and access account activity. Based on a recent review, you have violated the terms of your account per the client manual. 

This vague statement lacks substance, does not justify the mishandling of a lawful financial instrument, and underscores the need for a thorough investigation. 

Branch Location : Citibank XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, IL XXXX

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