BOA closed my account and holding funds ILLEGALLY

[godezzofchaos]

I am in complete and total disbelief over what I have been thru.  I have been up for over 24 hours crying and pacing the floor, completely helpless. 

Yesterday my much anticipated Federal tax return was deposited into my bank account along with my paycheck.  This is my checking account I opened with Bank of America 3 weeks ago.  I had a couple of items that went thru, but as of yesterday I had a balance of 3007.00.  I went to the bank at lunch and withdrew 660.00 for some bills. Then I went on to the store and to pick up my lunch. When I went to pay for my lunch my debit card was not accepted.  I went back to my office to look online to figure it out nad I could not get into my accounts. I immediatly called the bank who informed me that "RISK MANAGEMENT" has issued a "CLOSURE" on my account.  I became frantic..they said that I could have no more information for 48 hours and could not have ANY of my money...not a single penny.

I caused a huge scene in my office when I becamne so upset I couldn't speak, I managed to drive myself back up to the bank (in hysterics) and then was forced to sit in the middle of the bank in my current condition while I waited to speak to someone.  When I finally was allowed to speak to someone, all I kept getting was "there is nothing we can do once risk management places this on your account" 

What apparrently has happened is, Checksystems reported to BOA that I had an issue with a DIFFERENT institution 3 years ago, and so BOA doesn't want me as a customer. They WILL NOT give me my money until they get a "closure" date which I am told will probably be 45 days from now. 45 days!!  I am left pennyless the day my tax refund hits the bank. 

Now I could understand if I owed them money, but I don't..not a dime!!  How in the hell is this possible??? I am a single mother and they have left me with nothing. I am in jeopardy of having my car repossed since I have a title loan that was due and I promised the lady I would pay with my tax refund. They expect their money Monday morning..and the bank won't give it to me. 

Any advice would be appreciated.  I seriously feel hopeless.

[Tricia]

Report it to Better Business Bureau is all I can say.  Unfortunately, it may take a couple of days for you to get a response, but the more complaints the BBB get about Bank of America the worse it is for them.  Other than a protracted legal battle which I'm sure you don't want to deal with, I can't think of much else.  Try taking a look at their current policies and guidlines to see if you can use that to fight them.