Consumer complaint received 2025-02-19 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Deposits and withdrawals
Company: BMO BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: AZ

Complaint narrative:
On XX/XX/year> BMO froze my checking account without providing me any documentation as to why or how I can resolve the matter so I called and asked them and they told me it was because I deposited my business checks into my personal account which I was unaware that I could not do that since I am a sole proprietorship. They asked me to provide documentation showing that I'm associated with the business account and that it would take XXXX to XXXX business days after sending the information to unfreeze my account. On XX/XX/XXXX I sent them the information they requested and received a confirmation email back from them. When the XXXX business days was up I called and they then told me that they were keeping the freeze on my account until the funds cleared and it could take XXXX to XXXX calendar days. Everyday I have called to get an update and that has angered the fraud team to the point where they are constantly hanging up on me are extremely rude and unprofessional and recently they have told me that they are going to close my account and not give me the funds that is in my account because they State they don't belong to me even though I provided them documentation showing I'm sole proprietorship of my company. I have requested to speak to a supervisor at least XXXX times and have been told that there is no supervisor for the fraud department and then they hang up on me. I called back and spoke to somebody from the fraud department and asked them what I need to do to get my funds that have cleared and are in my account. I was informed that I needed to provide a letter from my customers who wrote me a check on their company letterhead stating that they know the checks were written to my company name but they belong to me and that they've cleared their bank account. I was told after I provide that documentation they would release the funds to me. I've provided them that documentation and they still refuse to release the funds to me. I have asked them to close my account multiple times and they refuse to close my account because they know if they close my account they have to issue me a check for the funds that are in my account and they don't want to do that. At no point have I received any written documentation as to why they put a freeze on my account how long the freeze will be there and what I can do to resolve the issue. I called back and spoke to a fraud representative again who told me to stop calling and that they weren't going to be giving me my money back. This has caused me a tremendous financial burden I have lost my home and been evicted because of this and my car insurance has been canceled because BMO has all my money and refuses to give me back my money I'm asking for your assistance to get my money back that BMO owes me in the amount around {$9000.00}. my account is frozen and I can not even access my account online or over the automated phone system to check what the actual balance in my account is this is a violation of my rights as a citizen and the rules and regulations that BMO must follow being a bank. Any assistance in getting my money back would be greatly appreciated the funds have already cleared my customers accounts I've provided that documentation along with documentation showing that I am the owner of the business and BMO refuses to communicate with me I've received no written notification from BMO on my account and every time I call they just hang up on me this is not okay and I'm prepared to hire counsel to take legal action against BMO should they not rectify the situation with me immediately.

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