Consumer complaint received 2025-05-19 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Deposits and withdrawals
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: ME

Complaint narrative:
On XX/XX/2025, Citibank placed a freeze on my checking account and told me that it was being sent for closure within 60 days and that I would need to wait for a check in the mail for the funds in my account. The very next day, I opened a case with Citibank 's executive response unit and my case was assigned to someone named XXXX. She initiated an investigation into why my account had been frozen and was being sent for closure. 

Finally, on XXXX  of last week ( XX/XX/XXXX ), XXXX called me and informed that that the reason behind this freeze and my account being sent for closure had to do with a wire transfer that I made into my Citibank account from my XXXX account back on XX/XX/2025. XXXX informed me that if I was able to get XXXX to verify the wire transfer as legitimate and not fraudulent, they would be able to remove the freeze from my account and rescind the closure so that I could have access to my account and my funds again. I have nearly {$5000.00} in my Citibank account, which is ALL of my money. 

I immediately called XXXX and explained the situation, informing them that Citibank had frozen my account due to the wire transfer that I had sent to it from my XXXX account on XX/XX/XXXX. I asked the XXXX representative XXXX XXXX ) if he would mind doing a 3-way call with myself and Citibank to inform Citibank that this wire transfer was valid/legitimate and NOT fraud. He was happy to do so.

I then conferenced in Citibank 's fraud department and spoke with a representative named XXXX. XXXX with XXXX then informed XXXX that the wire transfer that was sent from XXXX to my Citibank account was legitimate with no issues and was not fraud. However, XXXX then informed me that my account was STILL being sent for closure and that there was no way to stop it, and that I would have to wait 60 days for a check to be mailed to me for the nearly {$5000.00} that is in my account. 

I then immediately spoke with XXXX again, who acted extremely shocked that I had been told that my account was still being sent for closure despite verifying the wire in question with XXXX. She said that was was " very upset '' that she had been " given inaccurate information '' and said that she was going to " look into it '' and get back to me. This was last Wednesday. It is now Sunday and I have NOT heard anything from XXXX. 

I am absolutely NOT going to wait 60+ days Citibank to mail a check to me for MY money that is being held hostage by them. The wire transfer that Citibank flagged as potential fraud has been cleared up and verified by the bank that I sent the transfer from with Citi 's fraud department, so Citibank has NO RIGHT to keep my money from me. 

As a direct result of this situation, I am now officially late on my mortgage and car payments as well as my electric and phone bills. This is going to negatively impact my good credit rating and my car will soon be at risk of repossession if Citibank does not release MY funds to me. They have NO legal grounds or right to hold MY money hostage. It has already been 2 weeks without access to my funds. My entire life has been disrupted by all of this nonsense. My electricity and phone service will be shut off this coming week if I can not pay them, and I work from home, so I need electricity and, of course, I need my phone! If Citibank does not either restore access to my account or OVERNIGHT a check to me, I WILL be pursuing legal action as well as contacting the media with my story to expose Citibank for their criminal activity.

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 explanation