Bank Froze Our Joint Account

[80k 0]

My wife got a CR1 visa. She entered the US no problems. We got her green card, her SSN, her driver's license. One hoop after another. Finally, we can open a bank account and get our finances in order.

One week later, no warning at all, our bank account is frozen. We can't take money out. We can't put money in. This is where all of our money is, and there was no warning. The representative on the phone said due to the Patriot Act, they cannot unfreeze the account until paperwork goes through verifying her identification.

This is so inconvenient and frustrating to me because it just makes me feel like there is no end to this journey. At what point can we finally sleep at night knowing that my wife can do normal things and be treated like a normal person in this country. The fact that there was no warning, and that ALL of our money is being held out of our reach is really really outrageous to me. I have checks and direct deposits and payments I have to worry about now. And the worst thing is that it will take over a week to get this sorted out. This is an outrageous amount of time, and goes to show that you really need to have your money in more than one place.

Just a warning to all of you to always keep money in a few places. I'm starting to think under the mattress is the best place to put our money

[chocolaterie 0]

I know how you feel. This happened to my husband and I a total of 3 times. Was this Bank of America?

[80k 0]

I know how you feel. This happened to my husband and I a total of 3 times. Was this Bank of America?

This was Vanguard. Our main account is a money market account on there.

Sorry to hear it happened to you so many times. How did you resolve the issue and figure out what was causing it and how to avoid it?

[Jaylen Brit 0]

I'm curious - under which part of the Patriot Act was this done? What reason did they give?

[Jasman0717 9]

This is good information. I think I will have Claudeth only put a little into her account to start with.

[rebeccajo 14]

What?

You are KIDDING me!!!!

[aussiewench 9]

Thats ludicrous especially given all the hoops one has to jump through and the security checks with DHS during this whole process in order to get the green card, SSN and drivers licence in the first place. What!! DHS not good enough Something seriously wrong. Hope this gets sorted out soon for you. What an absolute pain in the derriere

[MaryandMian 1]

Wow I am so sorry to hear this happened. I am amazed at after all the checks and the CR1 takes long time that this would be an issue. Once my husband is here we will open an account jointly and keep funds set aside. Thanks for bringing this issue to light and pray that it is resolved soon.

Mary

[ChristinaM 0]

That just plain sucks.

Hope it doesn't take too long to get it sorted out!

[kygeographer 0]

I got a letter from Chase bank about a month ago, saying they'd lost Felicity's photo ID, and needed another copy of it for tax records or something like that. That's shocking, because I watched the woman at the bank make 2 copies of everything. She hasn't accessed the account since she's been stateside, but I hope her account hasn't been frozen!

US Bank also stuffed our account info up as well, putting Felicity's middle name first on the account, and then listing her first name as the middle. It's been a nightmare to straighten it out, having to call them at least 4 times, being told every time it's been fixed. Finally they just sent out a signature card. Problem is, there's no one that will notarize it, because she's not here to sign it in front of them.

Banks, such a pain in the #######. I'm getting really close to just keeping everything in mason jars out in the back yard.

[Mme Rej 0]

I got a letter from Chase bank about a month ago, saying they'd lost Felicity's photo ID, and needed another copy of it for tax records or something like that. That's shocking, because I watched the woman at the bank make 2 copies of everything. She hasn't accessed the account since she's been stateside, but I hope her account hasn't been frozen!

US Bank also stuffed our account info up as well, putting Felicity's middle name first on the account, and then listing her first name as the middle. It's been a nightmare to straighten it out, having to call them at least 4 times, being told every time it's been fixed. Finally they just sent out a signature card. Problem is, there's no one that will notarize it, because she's not here to sign it in front of them.

Banks, such a pain in the #######. I'm getting really close to just keeping everything in mason jars out in the back yard.

Thank you for all this information guys..I will know what to do when my husband gets here....(which is soon)

It's good to spread your eggs in different baskets..ie....matresses or mason jars..

at the same time I am sorry you guys had to go through such problems....again, thank you for sharing your

experience with us.......

god bless!

[joej 0]

That sounds crazy. I don't understand why they have done that. I added my hubby to my acct. He does not have his own yet. Can this happen to our joint account?

[chili74 0]

Very useful info, we are just getting started on the opening of accounts etc., with fiance's name and mine on them. Thank you for this important info and needless to say I am livid about it, as I am sure you all are too!

[Boiler 45,513]

Nothing to do with the Patriot Act.

Time to move banks.

[john_and_marlene 162]

I got a letter from Chase bank about a month ago, saying they'd lost Felicity's photo ID, and needed another copy of it for tax records or something like that. That's shocking, because I watched the woman at the bank make 2 copies of everything. She hasn't accessed the account since she's been stateside, but I hope her account hasn't been frozen!

US Bank also stuffed our account info up as well, putting Felicity's middle name first on the account, and then listing her first name as the middle. It's been a nightmare to straighten it out, having to call them at least 4 times, being told every time it's been fixed. Finally they just sent out a signature card. Problem is, there's no one that will notarize it, because she's not here to sign it in front of them.

Banks, such a pain in the #######. I'm getting really close to just keeping everything in mason jars out in the back yard.

Thank you for all this information guys..I will know what to do when my husband gets here....(which is soon)

It's good to spread your eggs in different baskets..ie....matresses or mason jars..

at the same time I am sorry you guys had to go through such problems....again, thank you for sharing your

experience with us.......

god bless!

I consider my mason jars a timed deposit... I have difficulty remembering where I buried them.