Citibank
Account Blocked Over Wire Funds and Disputed Check Deposit

We opened a Citibank account a few months ago and encountered several problems with their online system, fees and the blocking of my account. But the worst happened this week. I received a wire in my account for 2975. I needed to withdraw 2200 from the account the next day. The day the wire came in, the account was positive and showing the available amount. The next day I went online and it showed my account blocked. They said this was because the wire was still pending. How can the wire be pending if it was showing as available the day before? A payment I had coming into the account was returned that day even though the wire was in the account, and they charged me $34.

I went to the branch and they unblocked the account and released the wire. The rep told me that because she had to unblock the account that day, the only way I could get the 2200 out was to cash a check. I did not have a check, so she gave me a counter check, cashed it and gave me the cash. So all was fine.

A few days later I went online and my account was blocked again. I called and asked why. After 30 minutes on the phone, they connected me to the local branch and I ended up speaking with the rudest and most arrogant person there. He insisted that I had deposited a check made out to myself into my own account. I told him that I never did this and that this was ridiculous. He said that the manager was out and I had to wait to speak to him. Although he understood what I was saying, he hung up, saying there was nothing he could do.

I waited until the next day and called the branch asking for the manager, only to be told he was out again. So I called the 800 number and asked to speak to a supervisor. A supervisor came on the line, reviewed the account and said she did not understand why they would block the account, that she did not see a deposit made, and that the account was contrary to the notes of the rude branch personnel. She kept me on hold and called the branch again. She spoke with a teller there who said that neither the manager nor the assistant manager was there (the assistant manager is the guy who gave me a hard time the day before), but that she was aware of the situation and the check for 2200 had come up on a manager's screen, so he blocked my account.

The "supervisor" came back on the line with a change of heart and said that if a branch manager blocks an account there is nothing she can do and that I have to wait to speak with him. I asked what happens if the branch manager is out for days, and what happens to the clients. She said that is policy. I asked how a large bank like Citibank can give such autonomy to one person who is out while no one else can help me and I am left hanging out to dry. She said sorry, there was nothing she could do.

Needless to say, this is about a check they are claiming I deposited, which I did not, and they have no record of it on their system. Yet by some magic the manager has a "screen" that shows a deposit and blocks my account, and then chooses to be away for days, and no one else can help me, not even a supervisor. Worse yet, they returned 2 payments I had to make and charged me fees on top of this. I find this to be completely ludicrous. I asked her to close the account and mail me a check for my balance immediately, which she did.

If anyone wants to take this matter up at Citibank, I have the ID of the rep I spoke with as well as the names of the arrogant branch assistant manager and manager.

Company: Citibank
Country: USA

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