A 24-year-old man faced with this nightmare scenario reached 7 On Your Side, which reached the bottom of this mystery.
“I felt like I lost my life savings and it was very frustrating,” said Andrew Alexander.
First, he lost his job – then all the money, a total of $ 80,000.
The money was allocated for his education and froze during what Alexander thought was a routine bank transfer.
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“Citibank promoted that if you open an account with a certain amount of money, I get $ 700. So I was just trying to get the extra bonus,” Alexander said.
He transferred $ 50,000 from his Chime online account just before Christmas, then was “scammed.”
“Basically, the next day, both accounts were frozen, and Chime says my funds were not eligible for repayment,” Alexander said. “As for why both accounts have been frozen, I still have no idea.”
Chime wanted Alexander to provide unemployment checks, but Citibank did not ask for any documentation and did not disclose why all his money was frozen.
“Every time I contacted them, they didn’t give me a reason,” Alexander said. “They said that the block in their sphere of action goes to the branch when I went to the branch, they told me to call me on the phone.
With rent and bills due, Alexandru was at a loss.
The 24-year-old’s job disappeared when the unit he worked in closed due to COVID.
He worked as a personal trainer and re-enrolled in college, so he was desperate to unlock his tuition money.
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“I needed to buy presents. I couldn’t even buy food, my girlfriend took care of me,” Alexander said.
Until he decided to call 7 On Your Side to get a crack, and his money froze.
Team 7 On Your Side asked Chime and Citibank to investigate.
I never found out what caused the frost, because no bank is allowed to discuss customer accounts. But just 48 hours after I called, the cold on Alexander’s “Benjamins” thawed.
“I was definitely relieved. I felt happy and grateful, I really appreciate it,” Alexander said.
Citibank sent a check for $ 50,000, and Chime unlocked $ 30,000.
“If it weren’t for you (7 on your side), I wouldn’t be able to take my money,” Alexander said. “I appreciate the involvement of 7 On Your Side. Thank you very much and keep helping people.”
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