BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


If you believe a complaint deserves more attention hit the up arrow, or hit the down arrow if you find it less important.
"Products" offered by BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION with at least one, but usually more complaints:

Bank account or service - (CD) Certificate of deposit
Bank account or service - Cashing a check without an account
Bank account or service - Checking account
Bank account or service - Other bank product/service
Bank account or service - Savings account
Checking or savings account -
Checking or savings account - CD (Certificate of Deposit)
Checking or savings account - Checking account
Checking or savings account - Other banking product or service
Checking or savings account - Savings account
Consumer Loan - Installment loan
Consumer Loan - Pawn loan
Consumer Loan - Personal line of credit
Consumer Loan - Title loan
Consumer Loan - Vehicle lease
Consumer Loan - Vehicle loan
Credit card -
Credit card - General-purpose credit card or charge card
Credit card - Store credit card
Credit card or prepaid card - General-purpose credit card or charge card
Credit card or prepaid card - General-purpose prepaid card
Credit card or prepaid card - Gift card
Credit card or prepaid card - Government benefit card
Credit card or prepaid card - Payroll card
Credit card or prepaid card - Store credit card
Credit reporting -
Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports - Credit reporting
Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports - Other personal consumer report
Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports - Credit repair services
Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports - Credit reporting
Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports - Other personal consumer report
Debt collection - Auto
Debt collection - Auto debt
Debt collection - Credit card
Debt collection - Credit card debt
Debt collection - Federal student loan
Debt collection - Federal student loan debt
Debt collection - I do not know
Debt collection - Medical
Debt collection - Medical debt
Debt collection - Mortgage
Debt collection - Mortgage debt
Debt collection - Non-federal student loan
Debt collection - Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Debt collection - Other debt
Debt collection - Payday loan
Debt collection - Payday loan debt
Debt collection - Private student loan debt
Debt collection - Telecommunications debt
Debt or credit management - Debt settlement
Debt or credit management - Mortgage modification or foreclosure avoid
Debt or credit management - Student loan debt relief
Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service - Check cashing service
Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service - Debt settlement
Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service - Domestic (US) money transfer
Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service - Foreign currency exchange
Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service - International money transfer
Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service - Mobile or digital wallet
Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service - Money order
Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service - Money order, traveler's check or cashier's
Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service - Refund anticipation check
Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service - Traveler's check or cashier's check
Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service - Virtual currency
Money transfers - Domestic (US) money transfer
Money transfers - International money transfer
Mortgage - Conventional adjustable mortgage (ARM)
Mortgage - Conventional fixed mortgage
Mortgage - Conventional home mortgage
Mortgage - FHA mortgage
Mortgage - Home equity loan or line of credit
Mortgage - Home equity loan or line of credit (HELOC)
Mortgage - Other mortgage
Mortgage - Other type of mortgage
Mortgage - Reverse mortgage
Mortgage - Second mortgage
Mortgage - VA mortgage
Other financial service - Check cashing
Other financial service - Debt settlement
Other financial service - Foreign currency exchange
Other financial service - Money order
Other financial service - Refund anticipation check
Other financial service - Traveler’s/Cashier’s checks
Payday loan -
Payday loan, title loan, or personal loan - Installment loan
Payday loan, title loan, or personal loan - Payday loan
Payday loan, title loan, or personal loan - Personal line of credit
Payday loan, title loan, or personal loan - Title loan
Payday loan, title loan, personal loan, or advance loan - Installment loan
Payday loan, title loan, personal loan, or advance loan - Other advances of future income
Payday loan, title loan, personal loan, or advance loan - Pawn loan
Payday loan, title loan, personal loan, or advance loan - Personal line of credit
Payday loan, title loan, personal loan, or advance loan - Title loan
Prepaid card - General purpose card
Prepaid card - General-purpose prepaid card
Prepaid card - Gift card
Prepaid card - Gift or merchant card
Prepaid card - Government benefit card
Prepaid card - Government benefit payment card
Prepaid card - ID prepaid card
Prepaid card - Mobile wallet
Prepaid card - Other special purpose card
Prepaid card - Payroll card
Student loan - Federal student loan servicing
Student loan - Non-federal student loan
Student loan - Private student loan
Vehicle loan or lease - Lease
Vehicle loan or lease - Loan

Select another page to read more about how -real people- receive -real harm- from these banks, credit bureaus, and others.
Complaint ID: 7383014

Date Received: 2023-08-10

Issue: Opening an account

Subissue: Account opened as a result of fraud

Consumer Complaint: It appears that Bank of America fraudulently opened a checking account in my father 's name. They began charging minimum account fees against the account in the amount of {$12.00} per month. The account appears to have been opened on or about XXXX XXXX. Fees began to be charged against the account on XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, and XX/XX/XXXX for a total negative balance of - {$36.00}. My father passed away on XXXX. We only discovered the fraudulent account when going through probate procedures. Additionally, we can confirm this was fraudulent because all other accounts unrelated to this account were joint with my mother, this account was created as an independent individual account ; no funds were contributed to the account to prevent the collection of fees ; and my father suffered a XXXX XXXX in XXXX that rendered him XXXX and XXXX XXXX of opening such an account without the assistance of my mother. On XXXX we contacted Bank of America regarding this matter and filed a fraud claim at XXXX MST via their fraud line at XXXX. They transferred me to their check fraud department, they then forwarded me back to the fraud department, and then I repeated this process in a loop. We are pending verification to close accounts within 10 business days according to the final associate I spoke with. However, they did place a Hold on the account after being notified of my father 's passing. This is in reference to the CFPB 's recent announcement/article on XX/XX/XXXX, " CFPB Takes Action Against Bank of America for Illegally Charging Junk Fees, Withholding Credit Card Rewards, and Opening Fake Accounts ''. -https : //www.consumerfinance.govXXXX

Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response

State: CO

Zip: 80921

Submitted Via: Web

Date Sent: 2023-08-10

Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation

Timely Response: Yes

Consumer Disputed: N/A


Want more visibility for this complaint, upvote it. Less, downvote it. :)
Complaint ID: 7382783

Date Received: 2023-08-10

Issue: Closing an account

Subissue: Can't close your account

Consumer Complaint: An account was fraudulently opened in my name. I contacted BoA to tell them that it was fraudulently opened and to close the account. They send me a fraud claim and I submit all the documentation requested. They don't respond so I open a complaint with the CFPB and they ask me to send the documentation again. I do and XXXX weeks later not only have they not resolved the situation, because the fraudulent account is overdrawn they are threatening to impact my credit and make me liable for the overdrawn balance. This bank is a complete joke and it's no surprise to read the recent bad press. I have read about how XXXX XXXX wasn't doing their due diligence and opening fraud accounts without the proper checks and my guess would be the same thing is happening at BoA. This has been a complete disaster and I have gotten XXXX assistance.

Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response

State: NJ

Zip: XXXXX

Submitted Via: Web

Date Sent: 2023-08-10

Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief

Timely Response: Yes

Consumer Disputed: N/A


Want more visibility for this complaint, upvote it. Less, downvote it. :)
Complaint ID: 7382606

Date Received: 2023-08-10

Issue: Trouble during payment process

Subissue:

Consumer Complaint: We received a letter from Bank of America refusing to speak to my husband regarding all details concerning this Mortgage even though I sent a signed certified letter to them on XX/XX/2023 ( Certified Mail - # XXXX ) authorizing this. In the most recent letter we received, they claim they never received such authorization. Yet, in the same set of correspondence they acknowledge having received my certified letters. Finally, it appears Bank of America, in response to valid complaints, is committed to saying " we have nothing to substantiate your claims '' which to a lay ( non attorney ) person means -- " We are not going to seriously look at your complaint, so sue us ''. We don't believe you have the resources/deep pockets to pursue a lawsuit where facts can be discovered to prove the truth of what you claim even though we know exactly what is taking place. We'll take your money, but we can care less about you. '' Sadly, this appears to be true. I maintain hope that something can and will be done.

Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response

State: CA

Zip: 94547

Submitted Via: Web

Date Sent: 2023-08-10

Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation

Timely Response: Yes

Consumer Disputed: N/A


Want more visibility for this complaint, upvote it. Less, downvote it. :)
Complaint ID: 7382457

Date Received: 2023-08-10

Issue: Problem with a purchase shown on your statement

Subissue: Credit card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase on your statement

Consumer Complaint: I was defrauded by a mechanic shop and filed a claim with Bank of America in XXXX. I purchased a full Synthetic oil change and a complete engine tune up and the mechanic performed the wrong oil change and an incomplete tune up. When contacted, the staff apologized and agreed to fix some of the work and provide and immediate partial refund. When I went to the shop, the owner of the shop brushed off the other employees and approached me for a confrontation. He berated me and stopped the pending refund. His demeanor was aggressive and I honestly worried that, despite his advanced age, he would hit me. I told the staff the situation was unsafe and left. I contacted Bank of America about the failed repairs and was told I neednt worry. I also contacted the XXXX XXXX XXXX and a local association of auto mechanics about the problems. A short while later, I received an apologetic call from the mechanic, who offered me a refund if I returned to the store. Fearing for my safety, I told them that I did not feel comfortable returning to their property and had filed a claim with my bank for the work they had failed to complete. A few weeks later, I was provided with a temporary credit. Today, inexplicably, it was rescinded and the {$460.00} was withdrawn from my account. This is outrageous. A mechanic, who tried to physically intimidate me, failed to perform the agreed to repairs and I wasnt even consulted before they made the ruling. I would have provided accompanying documentation and possibly had the local police involved if they had asked.

Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response

State: FL

Zip: 33325

Submitted Via: Web

Date Sent: 2023-08-11

Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation

Timely Response: Yes

Consumer Disputed: N/A


Want more visibility for this complaint, upvote it. Less, downvote it. :)
Complaint ID: 7382133

Date Received: 2023-08-11

Issue: Problem with a purchase shown on your statement

Subissue: Card was charged for something you did not purchase with the card

Consumer Complaint: On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a message from the bank saying that there was an abnormal card use. I immediately suspended the card and reported my unused card statement. I explained to the bank via XXXX XXXX the stores I hadn't been to and asked them to compare my card usage time with my location. I didn't lose the card and it was used at XXXX XXXX around the time I used it at XXXX XXXX XXXX. I made a claim about this twice, but they didn't accept it, and they didn't send me any documents to support their decision. I visited the stores where a large amount was used and asked to see the card usage time and XXXX, but they said they couldn't give it because it was personal information and told me to ask through the bank, and told the bank the information. But I don't know if they requested that information. I think I was scammed by card duplication

Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response

State: CA

Zip: 94546

Submitted Via: Web

Date Sent: 2023-08-11

Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief

Timely Response: Yes

Consumer Disputed: N/A


Want more visibility for this complaint, upvote it. Less, downvote it. :)
Complaint ID: 7381696

Date Received: 2023-08-10

Issue: Closing your account

Subissue: Can't close your account

Consumer Complaint: I obtained a new Bank of America Mastercard through Allegiant Airlines. I called the number on the sticker and cleared my number with the credit card company when I received it. Then I tried to purchase Allegiant Airline tickets and I was blocked. I called to have the block lifted, tried to make the same purchase, and was blocked several times more, called again, and finally was able to make the purchase. Then tried to make other purchases, but my transactions were again blocked. I checked my online account to see if any strange transactions had been made but was blocked. I called again and was kept on the phone for another 10-15 minutes. Finally I said this isn't worth it, I want to cancel the account. One of the operators I spoke with referred me to a " financial center, '' to which I physically have to report with " two forms of ID. '' The nearest bank of america is across town and I've already spent too much time trying to clear holds to make simple purchases. I don't have time for all this. I should be able to just cancel the account. I've spent so much time on the phone with these people.

Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response

State: NY

Zip: 131XX

Submitted Via: Web

Date Sent: 2023-08-10

Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief

Timely Response: Yes

Consumer Disputed: N/A


Want more visibility for this complaint, upvote it. Less, downvote it. :)
Complaint ID: 7381512

Date Received: 2023-08-10

Issue: Problem caused by your funds being low

Subissue: Overdrafts and overdraft fees

Consumer Complaint: Subject : Request for Refund of Overpriced Fees and Unauthorized Account Opening Dear Bank of America, I hope this letter finds you well. My name is XXXX XXXX, and I am writing to bring to your attention an issue I recently discovered regarding my account with your bank. Upon reviewing my financial statements for the year 2021, I noticed several instances of overpriced fees being charged to my account. These fees were not in line with the terms and conditions that were agreed upon when I initially opened the account. I kindly request that you thoroughly investigate this matter and refund me the excessive fees that were charged. Furthermore, I was deeply alarmed to discover that an account was opened without my consent or authorization in 2021. This unauthorized account raises serious concerns about the security of my personal information and banking transactions. I expect an immediate explanation regarding how this could have occurred, as well as an assurance that all necessary measures will be taken to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. In light of these issues, I kindly request the following actions from your esteemed institution : XXXX. Conduct a thorough investigation into the overpriced fees charged to my account and refund the amount that exceeds the agreed-upon terms and conditions. XXXX. Provide a detailed explanation, including all relevant documents, regarding the unauthorized account that was opened in my name without my consent. XXXX. Ensure that appropriate security measures are in place to safeguard my personal information and prevent any future unauthorized account openings. XXXX. Ameliorate any damage caused, including potential harm to my credit and financial standing, resulting from the unauthorized account opening. I trust that Bank of America, as a reputable financial institution, takes these matters seriously and seeks to resolve them promptly and amicably. I appreciate your immediate attention to this serious issue and your cooperation in rectifying the situation. I kindly request a response to this letter within 30 days of receipt. Please address all correspondence related to this matter to the contact information provided below. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am hopeful that we can resolve these issues swiftly and amicably, maintaining a productive and mutually beneficial banking relationship. Sincerely, XXXX XXXX [ Your Contact Information ]

Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response

State: NY

Zip: 122XX

Submitted Via: Web

Date Sent: 2023-08-10

Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation

Timely Response: Yes

Consumer Disputed: N/A


Want more visibility for this complaint, upvote it. Less, downvote it. :)
Complaint ID: 7381097

Date Received: 2023-08-10

Issue: Improper use of your report

Subissue: Reporting company used your report improperly

Consumer Complaint: I am not liable for a debt with XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX. ) reported incorrectly to my credit report. I do not have a contract with XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. ). They have reported inaccurate information on my credit report regarding a collection account. The opening dates for the account, the high credit amount, the credit limit, the last active date, the last reported date, payment history, and date of last payment have all been inaccurately reported to my credit report. I do not have a contract with XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. ) matching these records. They did not provide me with the original contract as I requested. XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX. ) claims to have last reported a collection account to the credit bureau on XX/XX/XXXX, which is not accurate. They have reported the account in question was opened on XX/XX/XXXX, which is inaccurate also along with many other details about the account they have reported to my credit report. I have filed a complaint with the FTC. XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. ) is in violation according to 15 USC 1681a1 and 15 USC 1681a2. XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX. ) have caused a negative impact on my credit report due to the inaccurate information they have reported. Further, I am also not liable for a debt with Bank of America , N.A . reported incorrectly to my credit report. I do not have a contract with Bank of America , N.A . They have reported inaccurate information on my credit report regarding a collection account. The opening dates for the account, the high credit amount, the credit limit, the last active date, the last reported date, payment history, and date of last payment have all been inaccurately reported to my credit report. I do not have a contract with Bank of America , N.A . matching these records. They did not provide me with the original contract as I requested. Bank of America , N.A . claims to have last reported a collection account to the credit bureau on XX/XX/XXXX, which is not accurate. They have reported the account in question was opened on XX/XX/XXXX, which is inaccurate also along with many other details about the account they have reported to my credit report. I have filed a complaint with the FTC. Bank of America , N.A . is in violation according to 15 USC 1681a1 and 15 USC 1681a2. Bank of America , N.A . have caused a negative impact on my credit report due to the inaccurate information they have reported.

Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response

State: WA

Zip: 98033

Submitted Via: Web

Date Sent: 2023-08-10

Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation

Timely Response: Yes

Consumer Disputed: N/A


Want more visibility for this complaint, upvote it. Less, downvote it. :)
Complaint ID: 7380805

Date Received: 2023-08-10

Issue: Problem with a purchase shown on your statement

Subissue: Credit card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase on your statement

Consumer Complaint: On XX/XX/XXXX I purchased {$8600.00} of medical equipment for my business from XXXX. I decided to do so after attending a medical training where I was certified to perform procedures and a representative, named XXXX XXXX, from XXXX was also at the training demonstrating use/promoting the medical equipment. There were problems from the start, firstly the equipment was mailed to the wrong address, so I did not finally get all the equipment until the end of XXXX after making trips to the XXXX. In mid XXXX I had patients scheduled and started performing the procedures, of which at that point I realized that items were missing from the kits, causing me to have to open additional kits to utilize needed items to properly perform the procedures. I contacted XXXX and explained to him the situation, we then communicated via facetime so he could visualize the kits that I had received. He stated that the wrong kits were sent to me, and acknowledged that it was an error on the companies end. I asked if he could send me the correct kits out, of which I paid for, immediately because I had more patients scheduled to perform procedures on of which had already paid deposits to my office. He stated that before he could send out the original kits that I should have received, he would need to receive back the remainder of the unused kits first, then he would send me the correct kits that I originally ordered. This would have caused delays in procedures and therefore problems for my office with the patients. I communicated this to him and expressed that I was not pleased with the customer service being provided, as i did not think it was unreasonable for them to simply correct the error that was made on their part expeditiously by sending me the correct kits the next day, and in the meantime I would pack up the remaining unused kits and send them back. XXXX 's response via text message was that the other option was that he could send me a return label and I could ship everything back. I replied for a full refund, and he replied yes. So in the meantime, I reached out to a different company and ordered more medical equipment with the same credit card used, so BOA can also see that, because I needed to continue on being able to service my clients with minimal delays. I never received the shipping level from XXXX so I packed up all the equipment and the remaining unused kits ( XXXX kits ) and paid for the shipping myself at XXXX to have it shipped back to XXXX. The shipping cost was {$250.00}, the weight was XXXX pounds. The original shipping that XXXX charged me was {$270.00} a small difference, most likely due to XXXX just rounding up the shipping cost. However, this proves that I sent back everything to them that was sent to me minus XXXX kits. I then filed the dispute with BOA on XX/XX/XXXX and provided them with all of the attachments that I will attach below. I received a letter from BOA dated XX/XX/XXXX stating that they placed a credit on my account based on information I provided and that the merchant had 60 days to respond, and that if I did not hear anything else to consider the case as resolved. I then called customer service and was verbally told I needed to wait 90 days for a full resolution to be finalized. I called back sometime in XX/XX/XXXX and was told the case was closed. I never received any further correspondence from BOA, requesting any further information, or any further updates. Then on XX/XX/XXXX the charge for {$8600.00} reappeared on my statement as a charge reversal. I called BOA and was told that the merchant sided with the company. I asked what was the basis of this decision and was told that the merchant responded that some of the kits were used. When XXXX suggested the option of me to return everything for a refund he was aware that some of the kits were used, of which the wrong kits were sent to me in an error on his part. I dont understand how BOA or XXXX XXXX think I would be responsible for {$8600.00} worth of equipment that I proved that I returned to them based on XXXX kits out of XXXX not being returned. The kits were worth {$110.00} each, so at best, I should only be responsible for that amount, if anything. But how could i be responsible for paying thousands of dollars worth of equipment that I do not have, as it was returned to XXXX, of which the sales representative gave me the option to return. I am a small business owner just trying to make a living for my family. This is wrong and unethical on the companies part to think its conducive to get paid {$8600.00} for equipment that they have received that they told me I could return. Furthermore, the timeframe for a reasonable resolution was well over 90 days. i thought this ordeal was over and now i am having to be faced with uncertainty of paying for equipment that I do not have, and that i have already spent more thousands of dollars replacing with another company.

Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response

State: TX

Zip: 77406

Submitted Via: Web

Date Sent: 2023-08-10

Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation

Timely Response: Yes

Consumer Disputed: N/A


Want more visibility for this complaint, upvote it. Less, downvote it. :)
Complaint ID: 7380595

Date Received: 2023-08-10

Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem

Subissue: Difficulty submitting a dispute or getting information about a dispute over the phone

Consumer Complaint: On XX/XX/XXXX I received an alert from my credit monitoring service stating I was XXXX on a credit card. I knew this was an error as I have a 100 % payment history with all my accounts and a near perfect credit score. I logged into the service and saw it was Bank of America. I logged into my Bank of America account and saw I already had an autopay setup for the {$19.00} payment due ( total due in full ) for XX/XX/XXXX. As soon as I received the statement I logged in online and scheduled the payment. I have a XXXX XXXX line of credit with BofA and a {$19.00} balance. I immediately called Bank of America. My mind was baffled as a prime customer why I didnt receive a courtesy call and where was the statements?? I am enrolled in paperless statements and the one I received is the one I scheduled the payment for to be pulled on the due date. I did not get a paperless statement for the previous month nor a call. I was told a complaint would be submitted to upper management and the rep I spoke with had the authority to request the late reporting suppressed from my credit reporting. He told me it would take up to 30 days to update. Perfect, I thought this was resolved until I called the following weekend on XX/XX/XXXX to confirm the actions in which I was told took place was actually done. I was told by that rep that the conversation was notated but she doesnt see that the letters/dispute was entered. She consulted with a manager in which I was told she would process the request to remove the reporting and I would receive two letters via mail confirming so. I told them I was in the process of purchasing another home and how urgent this was. I was given credit bureau dispute number XXXX and XXXX # XXXX. Now on XX/XX/XXXX to date I havent received the letter I was told would be sent stating theyve sent the request to remove the 30 day reporting from my credit reports. I called and spoke with a manager XXXX who proceeded to tell me the prior information I was told was incorrect that they cant send anything to me in writing and ultimately its up to the credit bureau if they update it and the decision was not in their hands. I educated him that Bank of America is the creditor reporting and theyll update to what theyre told and he told me this wasnt the case. This leads me to believe that all that was done was a standard dispute initiated and not a request to remove the reporting due to the negligence or system error on bank of Americas side. I asked for a higher level manager as I want it removed from my credit and for them to honor what was originally told to me on the first conversation on XX/XX/XXXX. Banks need to be held accountable to the information given and I shouldnt receive multiple different information from one rep to the next. This has dropped my score down XXXX points!!

Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response

State: NV

Zip: 89052

Submitted Via: Web

Date Sent: 2023-08-10

Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief

Timely Response: Yes

Consumer Disputed: N/A


Want more visibility for this complaint, upvote it. Less, downvote it. :)
Select another page to read more about how -real people- receive -real harm- from these banks, credit bureaus, and others.