Bank Blocked Without Reason, Explanation Letter Never Came (4 weeks waiting)

Hi.

My bank account and all of my funds have been blocked by BNP Paribas for 4 weeks now without notification, reason or explanation by the branch at BNP Paribas Auderghem in Brussels. I made an appointment and went into the branch of course and they told me they had no access to any information, just that my account was suddenly blocked and would be closed and I would have to move to another bank. No explanation. “You have to wait for the letter”. I was shocked, I looked online for reasons they can block an account being if they suspect tax evasion or criminal activity, laundering ,etc. I am just a graduate student from the US in Belgium. There is no reason to suspect any of this and there was no attempt by the bank to contact me to ask about any transfers if they had concern or suspicion. I receive a scholarship (from the Belgian government) and otherwise reimbursements from the company I do an internship for expenses I make while working. This has never been a problem in the past. 

The woman I made my appointment with kept saying I have to wait for a “letter in the mail” that would come in 24 hours. I re-explained what was obvious, that it had been 2 weeks already and I had not received any letter or communication from the bank. She said it should come within 24 hours and she would “send a reminder” so that it would be mailed to my address. She even suggested I had to wrong address on file. We verified there that it was correct... Two weeks later this letter still has not come. I can not pay rent, my internet, the utilities, etc. I messaged the branch multiple times through the portal online and someone responded saying that they contacted me multiple times to “update my account information” in February /March (4-5 months ago) but I did not respond to them. I responded explaining that I DID update all my paperwork with one of their colleagues during that time of year because they also blocked my account without notification then, and that they should see that on my file (my visa was renewed and they required a scanning of my renewed Belgian ID card which I did, and that was all resolved). No response. In the meantime, they are blocking my automatic payments for necessary bills (rent/internet/phone) but still charging my account for their monthly maintenance fees. Nice.

Now the branch has completely stopped responding to my messages. Today I called EasyBanking and they instructed me to be patient and wait for this letter with explanation and instructions to close my account and get back access to my funds. Same words for 4 weeks, no action. Why did they block my account without explanation? I have done nothing wrong and nothing is off or bizarre about my transfers. Over the phone they said I could request the branch at Auderghem to make transfers from my account to pay my bills while I wait for this letter. I just called the branch at Auderghem and they said they can NOT do this, and that I can not access any funds.

I am baffled at the lack of organization, competence and the blatant neglect of BNP Paribas of its clients and the funds that they trust storing at this bank. I understand this is just a forum and that resolve can not happen here (I have read other forums here that many non-belgian people have had this same experience with BNP Paribas, with their accounts blocked for up to a year without reason, response, or explanation).

If you are American or non-Belgian national, I really advise you to NOT open an account with BNP Paribas. I have never had such a terrible experience with a bank. I will have to seek legal action in the next weeks if I don’t get resolve or response and it’s a living nightmare to not have access to any money while living in a foreign country.