My complaint:
Brooke Langhorst 802 Carriage House Circle b Evansville, IN 47715 Account Number: 7938252769 Phone number 8128027051 April 14, 2023 To the manager of fifth third located in 1250 Green River Rd Evansville in 47715 To Fifth Third Bancorp Corporation Service Company 50 West Broad Street, Suite 1330 Columbus, OH 43215 To fifth third fraud department On Tuesday, April 11th, I drove through the Fifth Third Branch location at 1250 N Green River Rd in Evansville, Indiana to cash three checks I had. One was $2035 from the U.S Treasury department and two were $48 each non government checks. I was told that they couldn’t be cashed and that if I deposited them the funds would be available to me the next day. The following morning, I check my account online and see that the deposit was processed, but my available balance was still negative. I drive to the same branch to see what was going on and was told the account was on hold due to the history of my account being negative. I talked to the banker Sara Hardin that looked into it and said that the back room issued that and there’s no one to call or anything she could do and I’d have to wait until April 20th for my funds to be available. I then went home and called the 800 number and asked to speak with a supervisor and spoke with Michelle who looked at my account and said she didn’t understand why they held my check from the federal government because it was a government refund check. She e was able to release it, but said the two non government checks for $48 each wouldn’t be available until the 20th. I then called Sara Hardin at the branch where I made the deposit and told her what happened. She said the 800 number people use a different system that she couldn’t get into, but she was also able to remove some extended overdraft fees and ATM fees for me. I was then able to transfer $600 using Zelle to my husband’s account and withdraw $500 from the ATM. The next day I attempted to use my card and was unable to and couldn’t even access my account online. I then call the 800 number and am immediately transferred to the fraud department that states my account is being closed and I need to go to the branch to verify the federal refund check wasn’t a fraud. I go to the same branch and Sara Hardin and the manager Lisa Schoolfield are communicating with the fraud department. They tell me that the fraud department wants me to bring in a copy of my tax returns in order for them to attempt to fix the situation. I repeatedly ask them why they can’t call the Treasury department or the IRS to verify the check and how my tax return is going to tell them the check is real or fake. The entire time both manger and banker Sara were saying this has never happened to them the 16 and 26 years they’ve been working with the bank. And banker Sara said the whole thing was triggered because the hold was lifted by fifth third employee supervisor Micheal . I don’t understand why I have to be punished a for something fifth third employee has done if that’s the case . I then state that I refuse to provide my personal tax return because it violates my rights to privacy and confidentiality. Also the fraud department has not have any explanation how I am legally required to provide my and my husband tax return in order to release my funds or even how my tax return could prove that the check is good . The amount on the check doesn’t necessarily reflect the total refund amount due on our tax return, for so many different reasons, it could be refund due from previous year I could be for this year it could be part of the refund due to owing back taxes , the amount in the tax return has nothing to do with if the check is good or bad . And I’ve tried to understand the reason why would they hold my funds ransom in exchange of my tax information ? They asked where my husband and I had our taxes done and without my approval or authorization Sara calls them to attempt to get a copy of my return. I then tell them I again refuse to provide that and ask for a written statement on what needs to be done and why that information is needed. I ask for the name and number of the person they talked to in the fraud department and was told they can’t provide that or give a written statement. I have repeatedly attempted to have this issue handled with both the branch and the 800 number speaking with several people and have received no help other than for me to provide something that won’t verify a real or fake check. I’ve asked for the checks back and was told that I can’t have them. My federal refund check could easily be verified by the watermark and by verifying the check number with the Treasury department with this financial institution routing transit number, check number and check amount. None of that would be found on my tax return. I believe this bank has violated a federal consumer protection laws and regulations and has been unfair and misleading and discriminated against my rights as a consumer. Without proof of fraud, my checks are being held ransom by this institution. For the past three days, this bank has gone from saying my funds are being held because of a negative account history to now me having to prove a federal check issued to me is real. I demand immediate release of all my checks and a copy of each check and compensation for false accusations of fraud, compensation for financial damages, emotional distress and compensation for violating my tax privilege privacy by Sara Hardin contacting my tax accountants office without my permission or my husband authorization. I also with be filing a complaint with the Board of governors of the Federal Reserve against Fifth Third Bank and exploring legal council if my demands of release of funds aren’t released. The fifth third bank has failed to provide any explanation and they have Total refused to help at the branch or at the customer service number . I believe that the 5th 3rd bank has been unfair and misleading, discriminated against my rights as consumer and violated a federal consumer protection law and regulation. This letter servers as an official demand for immediate release of all my funds , and demand of Legal compensation for all financial, moral and distress damages caused by illegal and unprofessional treatment and actions by fifth third. And a compensation for violating consumer state and federal protected rights , compensation for violating my tax confidentially privileges by contacting my tax accountant firm without my approval. This demand letter servers as official notice to you and will be rendered in court as evidence of failure to cooperate , if legal actions is to occur to resolve this matter it will include paying attorney’s fees. If there’s no response to this letter by April 20th all legal right shall be explored including but not limited to legal proceedings necessary in accordance with state and federal la
Suggested solution:
Release of my fun and bank account
