Grow Financial review: Withholding check

After going in today to deposit a check today on Friday December 23rd 2022, I intended to deposit a check I had been given for $4,000. It was given to me as a gift from a customer of mine who travels to Florida to get away from the snow in his home of Ohio. He travels here with his wife, and recently discovered I had been kicked out from my home, totaled my car, and lost my job opportunity within a span of 3 weeks. Out of the kindness of his heart, he has given me 3 separate checks. The first two checks were a total of $500. This last check being $4,000. I would finally be able to get a place to stay, and possibly a car. That is, until, I went in today. I understand the worry of fraudulent activity, or illegal activity. But I answered the questions I was asked about the check, which were where did I meet this man whom gave me the check, what was it for, and has he asked for me to move it around for him. I answered no, and that it was a gift. I was met with snide remarks. I was treated like I was a criminal. Prior to being spoke to about the check, I was waiting with no information, completely confused for over 10 minutes. Then met with cold attitudes and still, no information. Asset protection was contacted, which were the ones to also ask a few questions. I was met with statements such as “you say that the sender of this check is a regular at your restaurant, yet he lives all the way in Ohio.” I stated that I knew he lives in Ohio…. Him and his wife are snowbirds. I got no response to my answer. I was being questioned about how I said the check was mailed to me, if the date said the 23rd of December on it. I didn’t know how to respond to this question. It didn’t make any sense. I sat there, being interrogated, only for it to end in them telling me they were holding the $500 from my account I had deposited previously, as well as not letting me deposit the $4,000 Check until a 7 day investigation took place. Although 7 days may not seem very long, that seven days surpasses the date I needed to pay my $850 rent at my new place after being kicked out of my other home. So now my security is threatened once again. The validity of the check was never questioned, only my intentions with the check. I asked many questions that I got no answer to. I am lost and confused, and scared. I honestly do not know what to do, but I do know I no longer want to bank with Grow Financial. They have now increased the hardships on my life just for someone trying to help me through those hardships with a large sum of money. My answers and explanations were not good enough for them. I am disappointed, outraged, and ashamed at what has happened. Me and my cat are now at jeopardy. I would not ever want to recommend Grow Financial to anyone, especially if they are going through rough times. I tried to call customer service and could not get a single live human on the phone. I have no vehicle to be able to take myself to the bank to speak to anyone. What a way to ruin an already sad Christmas for me…