First Citizens Bank
Fraud Deceit & Apathy

We have had several unresolved "problems" with this bank.

First, through Authorize.net, our merchant account's backbone, funds were withdrawn from the "web" that ran our account into the ground. No explanation was given, nothing they could do, except charge us for checks, overdrafts, etc... To set up a "new" account. Still the same credit processor, but a different account number. Somehow that leads me to believe the fraud came from within, as the "virtual" account with authorize.net had not changed, just my business account numbers with First Citizens.
Whatever, closed all merchant services, figured the internet was just to slimy to have my account up on.

Next year, we get a call from Visa Consumer Protection, asking about a ton of purchases that were obvious fraud (simultaneous purchases from France, to Dallas). I responded by reporting the fraud to the bank, tried the FBI (no mechanism for reporting fraud with them, just circular web links), and Visa.
What was crazy was the card number that Visa was calling about was not my card. I had it in my hand, and the numbers were not the same. I argued that this was not my card, and how could money get sucked out of my account with a card that is NOT mine.
The next day in the mail, was a brand new shinny visa debit card, that I had NOT requested. The numbers on this new card matched what the Visa contact had given me.
I immediately called First Citizens to find out how, who, or why a card was issued to me. Let alone, how could the card be sent out ACTIVATED? I never even had possession of the card to call the 800 number to activate it.
The bank of course, had no idea about anything. I visited my local branch here in Murphy NC. Also, no clue about anything. Our account had been emptied and run $1500 into the red, and all I got from them was "This happens every day..."
I asked what I was supposed to do about this, and their response, wait and see if the money will be credited back into your account by their "fraud" department.
When I suggested that this "every day" problem must be coming from either the bank's card services, or the vendor who supplies the cards, all communication with the bank was stopped.
I eventually got the money replaced, however our accounts were frozen, and bust for a week.
No reason or explanation was offered by anyone from First Citizens who I contacted (or tried to contact, as they seem to insulate themselves from their marks, er, "customers" very well).

Then the latest scam, just this month.
A good customer, no make that our BEST customer sent us a check for $4000. The local branch told me a hold would be put on the check, because it was so large. Whatever, sounded like typical usury BS. At the end of the "hold" period, the local branch calls me to tell me the check bounced!
So I call the client, she assures me the money is in the account.
This goes back and forth for 2 weeks, until finally, the money mysteriously appears in my account. The client has provided me with proof the money was withdrawn from her account 2 days after I deposited the check, so where did this money go for 2 weeks? Not to mention they froze MY business account over it!
This is absolute indisputable FRAUD on First Citizens part.
The local branch can only tell me that their "deposits" department did not like the check for some reason. I asked for contact information for this department, and of course, they cant give that information out.

I have no idea who to report any of this to, not sure any of it will do any good, as the banking industry seems to just do whatever they want. They appoint our politicians, so there is not going to be any relief from any government agency (FBI). Just do NOT bank with these crooks. Either they are deliberately fleecing their "customers" with any means they can, OR they are just incompetent beyond all reason.
I rather doubt the incompetence defense, as their rich share holders would not tolerate it.

Don't let the "Family Owned" rhetoric fool you. The Gotti "family" owned the Gambino mob you know.

Company: First Citizens Bank
Country: USA
State: North Carolina
City: Raleigh
Site: firstcitizens.com

  <     >