What to do if a bank refuses to give you your money?

Asked by: Mr. Floy Langosh  |  Last update: February 10, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (75 votes)

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.

What to do when a bank won't release your money?

As to the bank having a hold on your funds, you should first send a demand letter to the bank's legal department demanding the release of the funds in your account or you will be forced to sue them in court for your funds.

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.

What to do if the bank won't give you your money back?

Notify the local police: Reach out to local law enforcement to report the scam. Getting a police report may help you get refunded later, and reporting a scammer may help other people avoid a scam as well. Report the scam to the FTC: You should also file an FTC identity theft report or call 1-877-FTC-HELP.

Can I sue if my bank won't release my money?

Failure to Release Funds

If the bank will not release funds that are legally yours, you might have a valid legal claim.

DON'T KEEP YOUR MONEY IN THE BANK | Prince Donnell

30 related questions found

How long can a bank legally withhold funds?

The Federal Reserve says that a "reasonable" extended hold generally means one additional business day (total of two business days) for a bank's own checks and five additional business days (total of seven) for most other checks.

What type of attorney sues banks?

A: To pursue legal action against a bank for causing financial injury, you should consider hiring an attorney with expertise in banking and financial services law, including securities law. Look for a lawyer who has experience in handling cases involving bank errors, unauthorized transactions, and financial disputes.

Can you force a refund through bank?

The chargeback process lets you ask your bank to refund a payment on your debit card when a purchase has gone wrong. You should contact the seller first, as you cannot start a chargeback claim unless you have done this. Then, if you can't resolve the issue, get in touch with your bank.

Who holds banks accountable?

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is an independent bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The OCC charters, regulates, and supervises all national banks, federal savings associations, and federal branches and agencies of foreign banks.

What happens if a bank denies your claim?

The issuer may deny the entire disputed amount or a part of it; either way, it should inform you in writing about the denial and how much you owe. You will also be notified about when you need to make your payment, including any interest that accumulated on the amount while it was in dispute.

Can I withdraw $20,000 from a bank?

Often, banks will let you withdraw up to $20,000 per day in person (where they can confirm your identity). Daily withdrawal limits at ATMs tend to be much lower, generally ranging from $300 to $1,000.

Can a bank hold your money and not give it to you?

Deposits to your checking account may be subject to holds, which restrict your access to the funds, typically lasting up to seven business days for certain circumstances. Federal laws regulate deposit holds, with most deposits being available within one or two business days.

Can a bank take money out of your account without telling you?

The only time a bank can withdraw money without telling you beforehand is if you've defaulted on a loan (such as a personal loan or auto loan), while also holding money in a bank account at the same institution.

How do I get a bank to release funds?

Contact Your Bank

If deposited funds are being held for a longer period than you expected, it's a good idea to call, email or stop by a branch of your bank to ask about specifics of its hold policy. You can ask your bank to provide an explanation for the hold or sometimes even to release the hold.

Can I sue a bank for emotional distress?

To have a valid claim for emotional distress, you would need to demonstrate that the bank physically injured you or that they knew that their actions would cause you to develop a mental illness and that they intentionally took an action that was so severe and outrageous as to shock the public.

Can a bank close your account and keep your money?

If your bank closes your account with money in it, you will most likely receive a check or deposit with the remaining balance.

How do I complain about a bank in the USA?

We recommend the following options:
  1. Contact your bank directly first. ...
  2. Visit HelpWithMyBank.gov where you will find answers to frequently asked questions and other resources.
  3. Fill out the Online Customer Complaint Form.

How to file a complaint against a bank with the FDIC?

You can submit your complaint or inquiry online at the FDIC Information and Support Center at https://ask.fdic.gov/fdicinformationandsupportcenter/s/. Alternatively, you can submit a complaint via mail to the Consumer Response Unit at 1100 Walnut Street, Box#11, Kansas City, MO 64106.

What does OCC cease and desist mean?

Cease & Desist Orders (C&D) or Personal Cease-and-Desist Order (PC&D): A final order issued pursuant to 12 USC 1818(b) that may, among other things, require a bank or IAP to cease and desist from an unsafe or unsound practice or violation and to take affirmative action to correct or remedy any conditions resulting from ...

Can I sue a bank for not returning my money?

You Have A Right UNDER EFTA (Electronic fund transfers act) 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.

What to do if someone refuses to refund money?

Get Outside Help
  1. Contact your state attorney general or state consumer protection office. ...
  2. Contact a national consumer organization. ...
  3. Contact your local Better Business Bureau The Better Business Bureau is made up of organizations supported by local businesses. ...
  4. File a report with the FTC.

What can I do if a company won't give me a refund?

Try to contact the trader

If you can't contact the trader or they won't help, you can then ask your card provider or PayPal. If you paid through a Buy Now Pay Later provider, you should check their website to see if they can help.

How do I sue a bank and win?

How to Sue a Bank
  1. 1 Consulting a Consumer Attorney.
  2. 2 Participating in Arbitration.
  3. 3 Suing in Small Claims Court.
  4. 4 Reporting to the Government.

What is an example of bank negligence?

Banking related negligence can include when a bank refused to refund money to a client following a bank account error, a bank sold you an unsuitable financial product or made mistakes leading to financial loss when you attempted to transfer money.

Do lawyers work for banks?

You may analyze a bank's operation and assess its compliance with federal and state regulations. You could also perform research and organize a defense for litigation. You can either work as an in-house banking attorney at a bank or as a member of a law firm.