Consumer complaint received 2025-08-28 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Other banking product or service
Issue: Managing an account — Funds not handled or disbursed as instructed
Company: AMERIS BANCORP
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
Dear Ameris Bank Corporate- ( This was sent via the bank 's contact us website as a follow up to the initial phone complaint on XX/XX/XXXX at approximately XXXX. ) I am writing to file a formal complaint against Ameris Bank, located on XXXX XXXX in XXXX, GA, under the supervision of Bank XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

On Tuesday, XX/XX/XXXX, at approximately XXXX XXXX, I attempted to deposit my legitimate IRS amended refund check in the amount of {$2200.00} at this branch after trying to XXXX XXXX ( XX/XX/XXXX ) and was declined ( XX/XX/XXXX ) due to being drawn on the US Treasury. I rushed to the bank after my school day ended at XXXX to make it just in time before closing only to leave traumatized. 

My XXXX  and I originally filed our XXXX federal taxes while living in Florida. Upon moving home to Georgia in spring XXXX, we filed an amendment to include my education credit, which took the IRS XXXX weeks to process. The check I attempted to deposit into our checking account was the valid refund resulting from that correction as an amended refund completed by our CPA. 

Instead of processing the check as a deposit as requested, I felt profiled as I have on occasion been confused as XXXX due to my skin tone and features even though I am Caucasian. I was detained inside the bank for nearly XXXX minutes as a productive citizen and college graduate, interrogated by staff, falsely accused of fraud, denied access to my funds, and told the bank would be keeping my check. After this occurred, I read that Ameris has an on-going history of mishandling certain customers of specific ethnicity. Did I fall in that category under XXXX XXXX, XXXX  XXXX 's, XXXX because of who she presumed I was? 

As an educator in XXXX, this was humiliating and made me feel criminalized in my own community. Bank security camera footage should clearly show this incident, and police information can be obtained if necessary to support my complaint. 

A banker told me they had run the check through the IRS system and could not locate the check therefore they would not process it and in fact was going to keep my check. After I went home visibly upset and distraught, my wife and I contacted the IRS directly, and I was informed this statement made to me by the banking XXXX was false ; banks do not have access to IRS systems. The IRS agent confirmed the check was completely legitimate, expressed shock at the bank XXXX 's actions especially stating they had run the check through the IRS system, and stated they had never heard of such treatment involving a Treasury Refund. 

The branch XXXX further told me she was keeping my check because she didnt want me trying to cash it elsewhere. This constitutes conversion, the wrongful taking and retention of my lawful property. Because of this, the IRS has had to trace the check and must reissue me a new one, which will take up to XXXX weeks. This has caused severe financial hardship, as my wife and I were depending on the refund to help us through job transitions as young adults. 
Following this incident, I immediately contacted Ameris corporate offices and filed a verbal complaint. The call center took my information and told me I would receive a return call. As of now, more than XXXX hours later, I have not been contacted by anyone from Ameris Bank. I have followed up with a written complaint regarding my treatment and withholding of my funds. 

False Accusation and Defamation : I was accused of fraud when the check was legitimate. 

Detainment Without Cause : I was held inside the bank for nearly XXXX minutes. 

Interrogation by Bank Staff : I was treated as if I were a criminal despite no wrongdoing.

Humiliation as a Local Educator : Being detained and accused has brought emotional damage as I was walked out of the bank by two officers and the XXXX, XXXX XXXX. 

Misrepresentation : A banker, XXXX XXXX, falsely claimed to have verified the check through the IRS system. 

XXXX of XXXX : The bank unlawfully kept my U.S. Treasury check, depriving me of my funds. 

Financial Harm : I have been denied {$2200.00} for XXXX weeks, forced to move money to cover expenses, and risk further financial consequences. 

Emotional Trauma : The experience of being detained, accused, and humiliated has caused significant distress to me and my wife. I was unable to sleep due to trying to process what took place as it was highly distressing. 

Employee Accountability : Both Ameris Bank and the employees involved must be held personally liable for their misconduct. 

Managerial Negligence : XXXX XXXX, the XXXX  XXXX, engaged in wrongful negligence in handling this matter and should be terminated for her role.

Failure to Respond : Ameris corporate has failed to follow through on my initial complaint, compounding the harm and showing a lack of accountability. 

I respectfully request that your office : Investigate the conduct of Ameris Bank staff, including XXXX XXXX XXXX and all employees directly involved. 

Obtain and review bank security camera footage from XX/XX/XXXX, as evidence. 
Require Ameris Bank Cartersville to provide a formal acknowledgment of error, apology, and correction of any records ( internal flags, ChexSystems, credit reports, law enforcement reports ).

Ensure that I not only receive my funds without further delay or obstruction but settle for the harm and stress this has caused me. I no longer feel safe entering my bank. 

Hold both Ameris Bank and the individual employees accountable, including the termination of XXXX XXXX for wrongful negligence. 

Address Ameris Bank Cartersville 's branch failure to respond to my corporate complaint in a timely and professional manner. I made the complaint via the Ameris complaint line ( following the incident and it has been more than 36 hours with no follow up, and Ameris Bank still has my valid Treasure Check in its possession. What happened to my check? Who has it? 

I can provide IRS correspondence confirming the legitimacy of the check, documentation of the six-week delay because Ameris Bank Cartersville kept my check and withheld my funds even though I wasn't trying to cash the check. I sought to deposit it. 

Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. 

Sincerely,

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation