Consumer complaint received 2020-04-01 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Closing an account — Fees charged for closing account
Company: STERLING BANCORP
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
XXXX of 2017, I opened a bank account in XXXX NY with Astoria Bank XXXX. I intended on moving back to NY. I gave my brokerage account XXXX permission to transfer funds when I liquidated funds to transfer to Astoria Bank. As you will see with the statement, my information was stolen via mail theft. The bank themselves informed their consumers of this problem. But never protected me. They were 100 % aware that I am a victim of fraud & account take over. Unfortunately, Id contact the branch whom told me to contact corporate with corporate telling me to contact the branch. They could not produce nor furnish my original agreement. I had indeed changed my routing number with XXXX & I told the bank not to all anymore transfers, because someone was and still is using my ID. It truly does not matter how loud you scream no one cares to hear you. Money was illegally being withdrawn & deposited as I resided at this location for years now. Nothing changed. I followed the law, I updated my address on my license I contacted them directly & in person. I called them because I never got my mail, after a certain date, as you can see they had my address & then it " mysteriously '' just changed, they just stopped sending my statements had no protection anyone that got my mail & opened it had my account number to see & do as they wished. I called multiple times for not getting statements. I flew back to NY, & they could not find my actual first bank contract. They sent me a notice that the same debt collector that the XXXX sued in NY XXXX XXXX XXXX, just changed their DBA to something else, for the same horrible harassment for years issued an information subpoena, then despite updating my mailing address with USPS &  with them personally I never got the mail.I had to go to court in NY for this. I am XXXX and constantly abused. Theres been so much fraud illegally unauthorized wire transfers & I was never called. I finally get a letter that they updated my address even though as you can see they had it, i was not online bc online hacking is why my money was stolen. I was hit with so many different fees. I had the same card. Each time I physically went to the branch the branch system went down, I told them to call law enforcement. My contract with them was missing, I had no way except my father to deposit funds, into the account, many people except me had access to the account. I was told that because Sterling National Bank was taking over it would be a slow rollout, & Id be getting my card. I still go letters about my upcoming new card but no statements, the ones I did have show the {$2.00} after every transactions. We had open case to resolve the matters, money was never put into my account. I asked for my new card & new account number because everyone but me had it, Sterling National only showed the last 4 digits on my card but the same people stealing still had the number, again they told me everyone was behind in getting their new card. I called them so much. I was told the account was closed on my birthday, the last time I called, no it is not my responsibility because I should have checked, I am the victim cyber crime which the CFPB is aware as I can upload the many times Ive contacted you, they said I had internet access and should have known, We did know they told me Id be getting a new card and new account number, I never did. They allowed wire transfers from my brokerage account when I withdrew consent & never provided the new information. I was not getting my mail I did contact USPS Inspectors I do have evidence, as far as I knew, I had been waiting for them to find my contract, refund the bogus fees, and was told that I didnt have to do anything because Id be getting a new card and new account number. They all knew someone took over my identification and used my accounts as if the account was theres. I went in person & each time that system went down, this has never been a one time incident, Ive been to sick to go anywhere. XXXX XXXX did the same & lied, except thanks to them I went to jail. Each bank, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX & now Sterling, They stated it was my responsibility to check my accounts. I did but I unfortunately was lied about & was investigated because I was sick & was taken advantage of. Statements stopped coming to get my money back they forced me to go back online or we could not continue to check the fees or theft & I was never contacted, again I am XXXX and I still physically went there. Branch associates stated to speak to corporate, I did & I now find out that thanks to their lies once again, the account was closed, what am I to do when I am the victim of the crimes, doing all I can to dispute just for them to not get caught. I have no access to the internet sight how could I. So between credit reports that spell my name wrong, going to XXXX because my mail never got to me, and spending money to go to the branch, they owe me money, they left me wide open as a target of fraud they continued to keep my statements w account banking & routing numbers for anyone to use, & they never covered my account number. They lied to me & said Id get a new card & new account number after the roll out from Astoria Bank to Sterling Bank, I never had a check book, I only had the same card, and everyone stole from me & that account. its cruel. I just found out they closed my account as if I do not exist, same with XXXX XXXX, So an employee lied to XXXX XXXX Police about a check I wrote, placing me under investigation for a year, I lost my life to this. Money was put in & taken out and there was nothing I could do about it because I reported it to law enforcement. XXXX XXXX  did the same, all of this financial crime, with the Federal Bureau of Investigations fully aware, I have my FOIA/FBI they indeed destroyed my file, they refused to talk to me about the crimes against me no one stopped thieves from taking my money & now without knowledge or consent its closed. It appears that no matter what I cant have a bank account at all anywhere because despite my efforts to protect my money this bank as well as others did not, Ive gone to XXXX because of them, others are committing financial crimes against me. The FBI tried to make me the bait never paid me destroyed my files and let the debt collectors out of XXXX NY to just change their name and access me, my information & money again. I need true financial investigative help as they destroyed my life.I have even contacted you on multiple occasions. Im too   XXXX now & most likely will XXXX. But thats ok so long as its not their money & its fun to watch for others.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation