Consumer complaint received 2026-03-09 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Auto debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action — Collected or attempted to collect exempt funds
Company: TRUIST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
State: TN

Complaint narrative:
In XXXX, I started a trucking company while simultaneously working fulltime as a XXXX XXXX. I had recently gone through a divorce and was raising XXXX young children on my own. I launched the business to supplement my income and provide stability for my kids. To get started, I received a loan from SunTrust Bank. During the first year, the company performed very well. Unfortunately, the truck suffered a major breakdown, resulting in over {$20000.00} in repairs. It spent months in and out of the shop, severely impacting operations. Shortly after, the XXXX XXXX hit, and like many small businesses, I was forced to shut down. Although I was encouraged by others to exaggerate information to qualify for XXXX XXXX loans, I refused to compromise my integrity and chose not to pursue that route. During the pandemic, I left law enforcement and transitioned into a new career in XXXX. My salary was cut in half, and I struggled to keep up with my mortgage and other financial obligations. As a result, my payments fell into default. After the pandemic, I began receiving subpoenas indicating that Truist Bank was pursuing legal action to recover the truck and the remaining loan balance. At the time, I was earning {$15.00} an hour and doing everything I could just to stay afloat. A XXXX was placed on my property, and eventually my wages were garnished. I considered bankruptcy but chose instead to try to work things out. When my employers contract changed from XXXX to XXXX through XXXX, the garnishment did not carry overthis was not something I caused or controlled. A year later, on XX/XX/XXXX, I was subpoenaed again to restart payments. The judge granted me XXXX month to organize my financial documents and ordered me to return to court on XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX a.m. to set up a payment arrangement. However, on XX/XX/XXXX, XXXXjust XXXX days before my scheduled court dateI experienced XXXX of the most traumatic events of my life. My wife called me at work in tears, telling me that our bank account had been completely emptied. I did not believe this could be a courtordered action, as the judge had explicitly given me until XX/XX/XXXX to return and establish payments. It was later determined that Truist Bank, along with XXXX XXXX XXXX, had initiated a bank levy against my account. Thursday morning, XX/XX/XXXX, my wife and I had about {$50.00} in our account. By that evening, we had {$10000.00} deposited {$7900.00} from a homeowners insurance claim and {$2500.00} from my wifes paycheck. Our home had suffered severe water damage during the XXXX XXXX snowstorm. XXXX had already removed the flooring due to mold concerns, and my family has been living on exposed concrete with a strong mold odor ever since. The insurance funds were meant to repair our home. My wife is from XXXX XXXX, and her children and grandchildren still live there. More than half of her paycheck goes toward supporting themcovering rent, daycare, schooling, and food. The insurance money and wife paycheck were not in the account for more than XXXX, which makes this appear quite malicious ad calculated. The sudden, unannounced levy left us unable to meet obligations both here and abroad. We experienced overdrafts, unpaid bills, and threats of default in XXXX XXXX. This action has caused catastrophic harm to marriage, kids and our total wellbeing. After reviewing the documents, I discovered that no judge had signed off on the levy. This process was not carried out legally, and it directly contradicted the judges order granting me time until XX/XX/XXXX. I immediately went to court to file an exemption. Before I take this matter publicthrough social media, the news, and legal channelsI want to give Truist Bank the opportunity to correct this situation and reverse the levy. I am due in court tomorrow regarding this issue, and I hope we can reach a reasonable and ethical resolution. I am not a criminal. I am a father and a husband who has worked hard, made sacrifices, and tried to do everything the right way. My business failed, but I have consistently shown my willingness to take responsibility and make payments. To be blindsided with a bank levy that left my family with no money for XXXX days is not only unethicalit is deeply harmful and counterproductive. Thank you for your time and consideration.

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