Consumer complaint received 2025-12-01 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Problem accessing account
Company: FIFTH THIRD FINANCIAL CORPORATION
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
SUMMARY OF COMPLAINT Fifth Third Bank wrongfully closed my bank account based on fraudulent XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX data that is currently being blocked and removed under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) due to identity theft. I was not notified of this closure, was repeatedly locked out of my new account immediately after opening it, and as a result, my Social Security Disability Insurance ( SSDI ) direct deposit is now in jeopardy. 

Fifth Thirds actions violated multiple federal regulations, caused financial hardship, and appear to be part of a pattern of deceptive practices to avoid paying out advertised account-opening bonuses. 

DETAILED TIMELINE XX/XX/year> I successfully opened a new checking and savings account with Fifth Third Bank. 
Immediately after opening the account : I was locked out of the online banking system several times My card PIN was changed without my authorization I was blocked from logging in and received No user found errors I had not even received my debit card yet There was no explanation provided. 

Because I believed the account was valid, I went to XXXX and changed my direct deposit, closing my XXXX XXXX account on the same day. 

XX/XX/year> I received an email saying my card PIN ( for a card I did not yet have ) had been changed again. 

When I called Fifth Third, I was transferred to the Fraud Department. I was told : My account was already marked for closure The closure was due to XXXX XXXX XXXX  information I could not stop the closure They could not provide details No supervisor was made available I did not receive any letter or email about this closure The representative appeared uninterested in helping me and repeatedly tried to rush me off the phone. 

As a result, I had no information about the status of my disability funds, and it is unclear whether XXXX will attempt to deposit into an account that Fifth Third intends to close. 

IDENTITY THEFT DISPUTE WITH XXXX XXXX XXXXS On XX/XX/year>, I officially filed an identity theft dispute with XXXX XXXX XXXX under : FCRA 605B 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( Identity Theft Blocking Law ) Since then, XXXX XXXX has issued multiple confirmation letters stating : ID Theft Block Applied Information from Chase, XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX is XXXX XXXX XXXX has removed fraudulent data from my consumer file This means all the information Fifth Third used to close my account is now legally removed, suppressed, and invalid. 

They had no legal basis to continue the closure after XX/XX/XXXX. 

FEDERAL LAWS FIFTH THIRD VIOLATED 1. FCRA 605B / 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 Identity Theft Block Once identity theft is reported, banks can not use the disputed information against a consumer. 
Fifth Third continued with closure based on data that is now legally blocked. 

2. FCRA 1681e ( b ) Failure to Use Maximum Possible Accuracy Fifth Third relied on fraudulent and inaccurate XXXX data, even though the report was under dispute. 

3. FCRA 1681i Failure to Reinvestigate Fifth Third did not investigate after I notified them of my identity theft case and pending block confirmations. 

4. Regulation B / ECOA Adverse Action Notice Failure I received no letter, no email, and no proper adverse action notice before or at account closure.

5. UDAAP ( Unfair, Deceptive, Abusive Acts or Practices ) Fifth Third : Opened an account Promoted a sign-up bonus Took my disability direct deposit information Locked me out Changed my PIN Closed the account without notice Put my federal benefits at risk Did not cooperate when I sought clarification This is harmful, deceptive, and financially damaging. 

HARM SUFFERED As a direct result of Fifth Thirds actions : I now do not know where my SSDI funds will be deposited I may be late on rent and utilities I had to pay for transportation to XXXX to change my direct deposit I lost access to the debit card still in the mail I suffered financial distress I closed my previous XXXX XXXX card in reliance on Fifth Third My disability benefits may now be delayed or temporarily lost I believe Fifth Third may be wrongfully closing new accounts to avoid paying promotional bonuses REQUESTED RESOLUTION FROM CFPB I respectfully request the CFPB require Fifth Third to : Immediately reverse the closure of my Fifth Third account Allow my XXXX deposit to post without interruption Remove all adverse internal flags based on fraudulent XXXX  data Conduct a full reinvestigation Provide a proper adverse action notice Review their XXXX use policies for accuracy and fairness Investigate possible deceptive practices regarding account-opening bonuses I also request CFPB intervention to ensure no consumer is harmed by Fifth Thirds misuse of XXXX data or their mishandling of identity theft cases.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation