Shit almost happened to me a few years ago. I had a bank in NY that I'd deposit random sponsor checks that were less than $50. I wound up with almost, but not quite a grand in the account, moved and forgot about it for a few years. During that time they instituted a minimum balance, 1k, and started charging me fees. That almost $1000 turned into about 400 after all the fees they got me for.

Most states have unclaimed property laws that govern how you can get your money back. Some states require companies to forward the money or property to the state, and there is a procedure to get the money back. Look into it...

Fuckin bandits,bad enough with their outrageous fees

i have fucking had it with these banks. what made me sick was when they were begging the Senate Banking Committee for billions in tax payer money while at the same time telling people who wanted to renegotiate their loans "sorry, a contract is a contract."

ps there are smarter people in the porn biz than finance IMO. so they can make cash in a bull market running a leveraged hedge fund?!?! who cant make money on stocks in a bull market?!! now they are being shown up for the tards they are when they cant make money in a bear market. also, doesnt the term 'hedge' mean that you make money if the market moves either way!? you arent really very well hedged if you only make cash on an upward move but then go bankrupt on the downward move.

fucked up shit...

thats actually pretty fucked up.. hopefully you will get it back

The rules are much older than the patriot act. States have had such rules for a long ass time. For awhile when I was much younger I used to track people down who had unclaimed property and act as the middleman, taking a cut and getting them their cash.
Same rules apply for everything from safe deposit boxes, utility deposits, checks that went missing in the mail, refunds, etc.

I will try my luck today, I hope I can achieve something with a phone call. As much as I love NYC I don't really want to fly there from Europe just because of this fuck up...

And what is the point of a savings account if you cannot save any money but lose everything? Should have put it in a Box under my bed.

Just got off the phone with Citibank, it is confirmed that my account does not exists and that I have to ask for my money at New York State's Unclaimed Funds. I hope this will work...

that sucks

told ya.. see post #31 for what to do next

Did a search with no results, I have emailed them with all my details.

I can expect an answer in a month.

Can anyone explain to me how closing my bank account and taking my money is for my protection?

[I]"For your protection, banks, insurance companies, utilities, investment companies and many other businesses are required by State law to surrender inactive accounts to the State. The Office of the State Comptroller serves as custodian of this money until you claim it. The State of New York never takes ownership of this money. If you can prove you are entitled to the money, we will gladly return it to you, at any time, without charge."[/]

Another thing banks love to do is hit you up for a 'maintenance charge' every month until the account has no funds left.

How the fuck can they justify charging you a 'maintenance charge', every month when the money is collecting dust. I lost $500 bucks that way.:mad:

Did a search with no results, I have emailed them with all my details.

I can expect an answer in a month.

Can anyone explain to me how closing my bank account and taking my money is for my protection?

"For your protection, banks, insurance companies, utilities, investment companies and many other businesses are required by State law to surrender inactive accounts to the State. The Office of the State Comptroller serves as custodian of this money until you claim it. The State of New York never takes ownership of this money. If you can prove you are entitled to the money, we will gladly return it to you, at any time, without charge."

It's called "escheat" - funds usually roll into governmental control.

Most financial institutions take part in it, but have different time lines.

Standing for Extra-Sneaky-Cheat? What is this good for anyway?

Had similar situation - homeland security closing my account at BoFa San Jose because I have no US address therefore must be a terrorist. But luckily was still able to cash it to my Paypal. It was 1K only anyway...

that sucks