FAQs
File banking and credit complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. If contacting your bank directly does not help, visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaint page to: See which specific banking and credit services and products you can complain about through the CFPB.
Does filing a complaint with CFPB do anything? ›
Consistent with applicable law, we securely share complaints with other state and federal agencies to, among other things, facilitate: supervision activities, enforcement activities, and. monitor the market for consumer financial products and services.
What is the $3000 rule? ›
The requirement that financial institutions verify and record the identity of each cash purchaser of money orders and bank, cashier's, and traveler's checks in excess of $3,000. 40 Recommendations A set of guidelines issued by the FATF to assist countries in the fight against money. laundering. Bank Secrecy Act.
What happens when a bank discriminates against you? ›
If you believe a lender discriminated against you, you can submit a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or with the CFPB online or by calling 1-855-411-CFPB (2372).
Can a bank legally not give you money? ›
Yes. Your bank may hold the funds according to its funds availability policy. Or it may have placed an exception hold on the deposit.
What to do if a bank refuses to refund you? ›
Some situations are successfully resolved over time, but many consumers are not as fortunate. If you have notified your financial institution about unauthorized transactions, but your bank won't refund stolen money, you may need a consumer fraud lawyer to protect your rights.
Who holds banks accountable? ›
The regulatory agencies primarily responsible for supervising the internal operations of commercial banks and administering the state and federal banking laws applicable to commercial banks in the United States include the Federal Reserve System, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the FDIC and the ...
How effective is the CFPB? ›
In 2023, the CFPB filed 29 enforcement actions and resolved through final orders 6 previously-filed lawsuits. Those orders require lawbreakers to pay approximately $3.07 billion to compensate harmed consumers and pay approximately $498 million in civil money penalties.
Does filing a complaint with the FTC do anything? ›
The FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection stops unfair, deceptive and fraudulent business practices by collecting reports from consumers and conducting investigations, suing companies and people that break the law, developing rules to maintain a fair marketplace, and educating consumers and businesses about their rights ...
What is smurfing? ›
Smurfing involves splitting large sums of money into smaller, more easily concealable amounts of illegally obtained funds to avoid detection by authorities, while structuring involves deliberately depositing cash in smaller amounts to avoid reporting requirements.
The government has no regulations on the amount of money you can legally keep in your house or even the amount of money you can legally own overall. Just, the problem with keeping so much money in one place (likely in the form of cash) — it's very vulnerable to being lost.
How much cash can I deposit in a year without being flagged? ›
Depositing a big amount of cash that is $10,000 or more means your bank or credit union will report it to the federal government. The $10,000 threshold was created as part of the Bank Secrecy Act, passed by Congress in 1970, and adjusted with the Patriot Act in 2002.
Do banks really investigate disputes? ›
A cardholder begins the procedure by contacting their bank. It is possible that the buyer will claim that the disputed transaction was unauthorized or does not reflect what the seller promised. A card-issuing bank must analyze each dispute and determine culpability in a fair and unbiased manner.
What is unethical banking? ›
What is an unethical bank? Banks use the money they hold to fund companies and projects around the world – including some of the most environmentally damaging. For example, UK banks are behind the expansion of a coal mine in Colombia, destroying Indigenous towns and causing widespread drought.
Do banks blacklist you? ›
Rating Agency Blacklists
It is possible to be put on an informal “blacklist” based on past banking behavior, like bouncing a lot of checks, being suspected of fraud or overdrafting a checking account and never paying the resulting fees or penalties.
Is it illegal for a bank to withhold your money? ›
A federal law, the Expedited Funds Availability Act (EFA), or Regulation CC, provides exceptions that allow banks to delay or "hold" funds deposited by check for an extended period of time. When this happens, you must be given a notice stating the reason for the hold and when your funds are available for withdrawal.
Can banks refuse to give you cash? ›
Yes, they can refuse to give you your money if they think something fraudulent is going on. If they think there is money laundering going on, they can put a hold on your account and refused to give you your money until you have proven different.
Can a bank legally keep your money? ›
In conclusion, banks cannot seize your money without your permission or a court order. However, there are scenarios where banks can freeze your account and hold your funds temporarily.
Can you sue a bank for not returning your money? ›
You Have A Right To Sue Any Bank That Unlawfully Keeps Your Money, Or Who Fails to Follow Your Instructions For Disbursing It. Banks owe you a duty to only give out funds that you authorize, and to only give out funds in the manner that you instruct them.