Bank Witholding $$$

[dirah]

One you're filing, file a complaint with the FDIC also.

They were the ones who referred me to CFPB.

[dirah]

Call up close the account and they will send you a check for the balance.

They told me even if I close the account, they will not release the funds unless I come into a branch in person.

[dirah]

It's not a question of feel or what I think is right or wrong (which BTW, I doubt this is just a simple I wanted to open a bank account online situation, see funded with cc). Makes sense they can't release funds without verifying identity. They don't want a chargeback and a claim of fraud

Agreed of course.
But there are other ways of establishing my identity without me actually coming in to a branch.

[dirah]

Get familiar with the Patriot Act and AML in general, they are absolutely in the right.

Can you point me to where it says that the only way of establishing identity is by making a personal appearance at the bank?

[yos9694]

Can you point me to where it says that the only way of establishing identity is by making a personal appearance at the bank?

No, and I never said it was the only way to verify identity. However, it is considered good practice to require personal appearance after certain risk based criteria are met. Most financial institutions have internal policies that require this nowadays, and if you've tripped their flags no amount of cajoling or begging is going to make them grant an exception to their AML policy. In fact, the more unwilling you are to appear, the more flags you are tripping.

And just a word of advice, if this is all one big mistake then by all means go ahead and appear to gdt your money back. But if its not, they will have you arrested on sight.

[dirah]

You crack me up…

No, and I never said it was the only way to verify identity. However, it is considered good practice to require personal appearance after certain risk based criteria are met. Most financial institutions have internal policies that require this nowadays, and if you've tripped their flags no amount of cajoling or begging is going to make them grant an exception to their AML policy. In fact, the more unwilling you are to appear, the more flags you are tripping.

The only thing I did was open the account and fund it.
Very suspicious. 

And just a word of advice, if this is all one big mistake then by all means go ahead and appear to gdt your money back. But if its not, they will have you arrested on sight.

For what, opening an account? 
LOLOLOLOL

Anyways, as I said, there is no branch nearby.
You want to sponsor my flight?

[yos9694]

You crack me up…
The only thing I did was open the account and fund it.
Very suspicious. 
For what, opening an account? 
LOLOLOLOL

Anyways, as I said, there is no branch nearby.
You want to sponsor my flight?

You're laughing, and yet apparently you haven't gotten your money back yet because you refuse to play ball.   

If you want to take issue with their AML policies go ahead and try, but you shouldn't treat it as a joke even if you did nothing wrong. If I were you I would take it pretty seriously, the U.S. almost doesn't take anything more seriously than this nowadays.  I've seen funds frozen for years just because an analyst defined a transaction as suspicious. Tell me how you funded it and I can probably tell you what the flag was, but the bottom line is that they are the ones who define the risk metrics, not you.

Good luck pal.

[srap]

They told me even if I close the account, they will not release the funds unless I come into a branch in person.

Create a closer you with a POA.

[yos9694]

I recently opened a new bank account, intending to use online.
After I made the initial deposit, the bank told me they are blocking the funds until I personally appear at the branch and verify my identity.
.....
Failing all else, since I funded by CC, would I win a dispute?

And there it is. Here's my guess- either you used a foreign CC or you have a foreign address as your main address, whether or not you used that foreign address on your application. Am I close?

The only thing I did was open the account and fund it.

The devil is in the details mate.

You want to sponsor my flight?

Why do you think I would?

[dirah]

You're laughing, and yet apparently you haven't gotten your money back yet because you refuse to play ball.   

I am laughing at you.
You are quite ready to admit that you don't know any of the details, and at the same time issue a verdict.

because you refuse to play ball.   

I am very prepared to play ball, just in a reasonable manner ... seems like you've got a mental block on that point.

And there it is. Here's my guess- either you used a foreign CC or you have a foreign address as your main address, whether or not you used that foreign address on your application. Am I close?

No, not even close.
US address, US CC and US IP.

Anyways, thanks for the advice, I am using CFPB's services, don't need your's.
And won't bother responding further.

[dirah]

Create a closer you with a POA.

That is an interesting idea I didn't think of.
Will look into it.

[dans fan]

That is an interesting idea I didn't think of.
Will look into it.

they may deny that too, dont be surprised

[PlatinumGuy]

Why not just do a cc dispute?

[Yehuda25]

+1

Why don't you go down to the bank, if I may ask?

does the bank name start with an s ? 

[dirah]

does the bank name start with an s ? 

No

[dirah]

Why not just do a cc dispute?

That is Plan B.

[meshugener]

That is Plan B.

Why only plan B?
Its the easiest way out of this.

[dirah]

Why only plan B?
Its the easiest way out of this.

Because.

[meshugener]

Because.

Cockroach

[A3]

This is a trained one!!