This is a formal complaint lodged by a disabled veteran and non-curable cancer patient against Fifth Third Bank. We have done nothing illegal but have been treated and spoken to like criminals. My sister is RN at the VA Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, and until recently I was senior IT infrastructure engineer for XPO Logistics. We are both profesionals
I served 10 years in the Army and was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in January of 2016. I would like to speak to the media about how Fifth Third treats cancer patients and disabled veterans. I am not sure if it was prejudice, incompetence, or negligence but I would like my case investigated and I would like my sister and I interviewed if possible.
This whole situation could have been avoided by additional courtesy, effort, and communication.
Situation:
1. Was awarded a large life insurance settlement (initially deposited at Charlotte Metro CU. Wired a large amout to sister account. Wired additional to my account) Accelerated Death Benefit for metastatic breast cancer. Sister and agreed she should open account at same bank as me to allow better access to funds as well as easier to move when needed. We opened it online since there is no Fifth Third in Alabama. My previous benefit of award (initially deposited at Charlotte Metro CU) had me bringing checks and cash from Charlotte Metro CU and it became very inconvenient to move money. This was an effort to avoid that.
2. Personal banker called phone that we use for main line and when I said my sister wasn't available, she hung up. Fifth Third initiated an email that seemed like a solicitation. We declined any services they were offering until the family can figure out what WE wanted to do with the 90k. Fifth Third did not inform anyone it was a fraud verification or security check and when my sister responded, she was reported for fraud. A simple email saying they needed to verify who she is, where funds came from, etc. would have been very easy. All my sister did was respond to an email INITIATED by Fifth Third, and was flagged.
3. Referred to fraud department and when sister attempted to clarify account status and funds. Was accused of hiding money from social security when she informed the account was to 1.) Help manage any medical bills I would incur 2.) Was from a life insurance settlement 3.) To be disbursed as I direct her (ie. Nephew (he is 13), sister, niece, etc.) 4.) Start a business P.S I am not on social security. She was treated like a criminal when she spoke to the representative and every statement she made the representative turned it into an accusation of a crime.
4. My primary account was then also frozen without so much as a conversation or phone call. My sister called twice and I left two to three messages without any response
5. Premium check for life insurance conversion (group to whole) was sent to AETNA to continue the remaining $39,000 in life insurance. Outside of the group policies I had with work, I cannot get any life insurance. If that check bounces while account is frozen, it will cost me and my family $39,000 in life insurance. I am concerned that check will be returned.
6. As of February 1, 2017, I have no medical insurance outside of my Veterans coverage. If I had a critical emergency this weekend, my funds are frozen possibly costing me the inability to obtain critical healthcare. Cobra should be re-instated in the next few weeks. Right now Fifth Third has my life in their hands. Once again, some of these funds was designated to my sister to help with any critical care decisions.
7. Even after explaining this was a life insurance benefit, providing stub at the branch and email, providing letter from life insurance company, as well as providing medical records with my diagnosis, I did not receive any calls explain the situation, an apology, or my money was not released.
8. After explaining the situation we were not given any options or resolutions. We were not even able to contact anyone directly. Fifth Third didnt even recommend a better way to manage the funds to avoid this in the future. read more
