I am a landlord and have recently opened a new checking and savings account with M&T bank in La Fayette NY. My tenants have different methods of payment, I accept either cash, check, or NYS temporary assistance. I have been renting my house to my tenants for 20+ years and have never had issues depositing their checks until M&T bank.
When I brought in checks for deposit the bank flagged the checks as fraudulent. When I asked for the reason, Edward Loftus, senior relationship banker, stated that it was due to "rent" written in the memo. When I asked a second time why they accused me of fraud, they suggested and accused me of not taking care of my rental property.
M&T bank flagged my name and reported me to the fraud department. In an attempt to resolve this, I spoke to Edward several times in person, the fraud department, as well a customer service manager, Tina, over the phone. Tina informed me that this cannot be resolved over the phone, and to go to local branch. I have been to the local branch three times without any resolution.
This morning, I asked Edward Loftus to provide in writing, documentation of the accusations against me. After he refused, he told me to leave the bank. I complied.
M&T bank is withholding my source of income as a landlord. They are refusing to deposit the checks, refusing to cash them and refusing to return them. Edward is insisting that I close my account immediately. Additionally, I asked him to file a criminal report with police to investigate fraud, if in fact the checks provided to me were fraudulent, however he refused to do it.
I was told that the bank will not return my checks to me, and I should ask my tenants for another check, without providing written reason why these checks did not go through with this bank. My tenants have already paid me for the month of December, I cannot morally demand them to write another check when it was not their mistake, but the banks.
M&T bank has blocked me from online banking and locked my account where I am not able to transfer my funds to Fidelity, my retirement account. They had misinformed me multiple times reassuring me that I could continue and should transfer money to my retirement, when in fact they did not release my funds to Fidelity. Due to this, I received three Fidelity violations. Now my retirement account is locked for 90 days, creating a huge problem for me.
If there is fraud, I need a written official letter from the bank stating of my wrongdoing. M&T bank is refusing to provide any documentation as well as withholding my funds without proper justification. read more
