Date Received: 2023-11-28
Issue: Unexpected or other fees
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: My unemployment benefits were stolen from a Bank of America prepaid debit card. I am a victim of identity theft. My personal information was taken without my knowledge to activate and use a debit card sent to me by Bank of America, which held my unemployment benefits. I applied for unemployment and was unaware that I had been approved due to not receiving any notification of deposits. My bank card, other mail, and personal information were stolen from my mailbox. After research, I learned that my unemployment benefits were approved and used. I reported the issue to unemployment, and I was told to contact Bank of America. After contacting Bank of America, I was advised to file a claim. I filed one claim with Bank of America, and the claim was split into two claims. One claim was for {$320.00}, and the other claim was for XXXX. Bank Of America denied the larger claim of XXXX but approved the smaller claim of {$320.00} and returned those funds to my account. I am currently appealing the denied decision as I am responsible for the XXXX that I did not receive nor did I authorize anyone else to use. On XX/XX/XXXX, Bank of America denied my claim of XXXX yet again with no explanation. I have requested security footage again from the atm or any camera service used for any of the fraudulent transactions. Bank of America provided the following review : " During our research, we found that there were undisputed card present transactions after your card was lost or stolen. As a result, your claim has been denied. You have the right to request the documents that we relied on in making this decision. '' I provided Bank of America an Identity Theft report and also a police report to this matter. This reason alone make no sense, as BOA are the ones who split the claim into two claims. I reported all transactions as one claim. This is a lie and BOA made up this verbiage and it violates consumer laws. XXXX XXXX of Resolution Specialist Regulatory Complaints at Bank of America XXXX ext XXXX CTR XXXX did not address any of my concerns. In fact, all she did was send me a package through mail, repeating the information that had already been obvious in previous letters from Bank of America. I was still not given one legit reason why 1 claim was approved and 1 ( the larger ) claim was denied. Clearly XXXX did not ready my complaint. If my identity was stolen to use, and activate my benefits, and all transactions are fraudulent, because I never recieved the cards in general to even activate them myself, then why would one claim be approved and not the others. I spoke with XXXX, a supervisor at Bank of America who actually found and manually filed 2 other claims owed to me because the other BOA representative did not either listen to me or do enough research to include them. There are a total of 4 claims filed. I have left messages for XXXX to call me for 2 weeks now and her phone goes straight to voice-mail with no returned communication. My issue has not been resolved. This is clearly a case of stolen identity, as scammers have taken millions away from people during this past pandemic. I have asked several times for atm footage with no results, and I've also sent BOA my own identity and all documents as requested. Bank of America seems to skip over the fact that my identity was STOLEN and used to activate and access my benefits. On Wednesday XX/XX/XXXX, I was also informed that my email had been hacked by a person named XXXX XXXX XXXX. I have added this in the police report with XXXX XXXX XXXX. My claims/case has not been taken seriously and has been denied 3 times due to lackluster investigations. I have also filed a complaint with the XXXX XXXX XXXX and will continue to fight for my rights as a victim of identity theft.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: CA
Zip: 90047
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-11-28
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-11-29
Issue: Problem with a lender or other company charging your account
Subissue: Transaction was not authorized
Consumer Complaint: Subject : Consumer Complaint - XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. Dear Team, I am writing to file a consumer complaint regarding a recent transaction with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, a company located at XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, CA XXXX. I placed an order for an XXXX part with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, for which I paid {$1500.00}. However, after XXXX weeks, I was informed that the item could not be sold at the initially agreed-upon price, and the company demanded an additional {$3000.00}. I declined to proceed with the purchase and requested a refund of the original amount paid. The company stated that they could only issue a refund via check, as opposed to a bank transfer or credit card refund. Despite this assurance, I have not received the promised check, and the company has ceased responding to my emails. This situation has left me concerned that I may be a victim of fraudulent practices. Below are the details of the transaction : Company : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. Address : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, CA XXXX Product : XXXX part Initial Payment : {$1500.00} Requested Additional Payment : {$3000.00} Refund Method : Promised by check I believe that the company 's actions constitute deceptive business practices and a breach of our transaction agreement. The failure to provide the agreed-upon refund and the lack of communication raise significant concerns about the legitimacy of their business practices. I kindly request that the Federal Trade Commission investigate this matter and take appropriate action to ensure consumer protection. I have attached relevant documentation, including proof of payment and correspondence with the company, for your reference. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to a prompt resolution. Sincerely, XXXX XXXX
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: WY
Zip: 82801
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-12-05
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-11-28
Issue: Managing an account
Subissue: Problem using a debit or ATM card
Consumer Complaint: It is rather disheartening that, as a long standing customer and with no prior issues, Bank of America reversed the two XXXX XXXX fraudulently charges totaling {$760.00} posted on XX/XX/2023 and charged them back on my account because The charge was authorized by you or made by someone who has permission to use the card or account. How can this be, if I reported that my wallet was physically stolen from me. In fact, within 2 hours after the charges were made on my Debit Card on XX/XX/2023, I notified Bank of America that my wallet was stolen from the zippered compartment of my legal briefcase, while the briefcase was situated in my office within my suite located at XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX. I also filed a police report to report this incident, which is attached here. In addition to the charges on my Bank of America Debit Card, I also had numerous and much larger charges on my XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Credit Cards, which were also in my wallet, within minutes of each other. However, XXXX permanently reversed these charges when I reported them as fraud. In fact, my attorney colleague whose office was next to mine also had his wallet physically stolen by the same culprit, and precisely the same charges were placed on his credit card account. His bank, however, reversed the charged and permanently credited his account. A quick review of my account quickly shows that I did not authorize or place these in-person charges. In fact, the only time I have ever used the Debit Card in person was at XXXX XXXX, since this account is an account to manage the income and expenses related to a rental unit I own. Charges at a clothing store are clearly atypical and unrelated to my rental unit. After Bank of America reversed the temporary credit, I faxed a written Request for Reconsideration to ( XXXX ) XXXX on XX/XX/2023. Even though I never received a response to my request, I noticed that Bank of America once again reversed the temporary credits totaling {$760.00} on my account on XX/XX/2023. Thus, I am requesting a regulator to inquire from Bank of America further into these matters in light of the clear fraud on my account.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: CA
Zip: 91343
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-11-28
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-11-28
Issue: Managing an account
Subissue: Problem using a debit or ATM card
Consumer Complaint: So XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX i have a transaction to buy a shoes and this guys is legit on XXXX big sneaker group so we talk and agreed on a transaction. So i send him the payment for the first shoe and added a another one. But then the next day he started ignoring me and eventually blocked me on XXXX. So i went to to cash app and file for dispute, and to my bank " bank of america '' but they ended up decided siding with the scammer and dont want to give me a refund. They keep on insiting to contact the merchant for a refund, the guy blocked me and I keep on telling them that. I reported it as fast as I can do it. Hopefully you guys can help me with my problem. Scammed amount was XXXX $ and XXXX $ that the bank refused to reimburse me. I have proof and conversation if needed.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: NV
Zip: 89178
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-11-28
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-11-29
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem
Subissue: Problem with personal statement of dispute
Consumer Complaint: This is in regards to a late payment reported XX/XX/XXXX on my auto loan. I spoke with a Bank of America representative on XX/XX/XXXX to set up autopay on my account, the agent confirmed that autopay had been set up. However, I found that my payment for XXXX was never made, and that my account went into late payment status, and that this was reported to credit reporting agencies. I reached out to another Bank of America representative on XX/XX/XXXX to rectify this matter and received a case # XXXX. Additionally, I sent a message directly to Bank of America through their secure message service. I received both a letter and a message from Bank of America stating simply that " their reporting was accurate ''. They neglected to address the fault of their agent in contributing to this situation. I replied to Bank of America through their secure messaging system on XX/XX/XXXX, but I have not received a reply.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: CA
Zip: 94611
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-11-29
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-11-29
Issue: Unexpected or other fees
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: On XX/XX/, I transferred {$3000.00} and {$1500.00} from my XXXX XXXX unemployment debit card issued out by Bank of America to my personal account, but unfortunately my bank rejected the money and they return the money back to my Bank of America debit card, so Bank of America blocked access to my debit card so I was able to reopened it after talking to Bank of America. So after the debit card was reopened, I checked my balance on my debit card and the {$3000.00} and {$1500.00} was not in my card. I contact my bank and they told me the money was returned back to my Bank of America debit card. I kept calling Bank of America to return my money bank since XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX moment and they keep saying there's nothing they can do about it. I need your help regarding this as Bank of America is making life difficult for me and I need the money to pay bills and buy food at home.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: CA
Zip: 934XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-11-29
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-11-29
Issue: Advertising and marketing, including promotional offers
Subissue: Didn't receive advertised or promotional terms
Consumer Complaint: Bank of America illegally withheld rightfully earned rewards on XXXX of the credit cards I have with them. They did not allow me to redeem rewards where the transactions were completed successfully and shown on my statement. Instead bank of American decided that I was a risk and closed my accounts. I have been with them for more than 5 years with the same activity throughout those years. Bank of America not paying rewards to customers who have rightfully earned them is illegal. Bank of America has been penalized before for wrong doings like this and it seems they just keep on repeating said violations. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/2023.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: OH
Zip: 454XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-11-29
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-11-29
Issue: Opening an account
Subissue: Account opened without my consent or knowledge
Consumer Complaint: A couple of weeks ago I received a personalized checks from Merrill Lynch. I was puzzled as I never had any dealing with XXXX XXXX XXXX, so I decided to visit one of their branches in DC close to my work to inquire about the account details. There I was directed to speak to a XXXX XXXX Advisor, XXXX XXXX XXXX who informed that XXXX accounts had been opened on my name, one in Florida and another one in Mississippi in the month of XXXX. I inquired about how the accounts were opened, and what kind of information the person who opened the accounts had provided to them to make it possible to open the accounts. He then proceeded to contact the central office and got in touch with someone who informed him that they have had a surge of fraudulent online account openings recently, and they had already closed the accounts. When I asked about the ID presented to open the accounts, they informed me that because the accounts were opened online, they did not required IDs. This I know is a clear violation of the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) rules and regulations. Even if the account were opened online, they should have requested appropriate identification before proceeding with the openings. I was told that they were going to take the necessary measures to clarify the situation, and they were going to contact me later with updates. XXXX weeks later, I never received any communication from them. Just yesterday I received a debit card associated with that account, and today I got an email notifying me that I have been enrolled in mobile banking. I strongly believe that XXXX XXXX XXXX should comply with the XXXX regulations before allowing fraudsters to easily open accounts, and take over the identity of hard-working consumers.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: MD
Zip: 208XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-12-05
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-11-29
Issue: Managing an account
Subissue: Banking errors
Consumer Complaint: XX/XX/23 refund for {$96.00} was made from XXXX XXXX merchant. Bank of America says it it takes 5 days because they don't have the money yet which is inaccurate. The money was sent back which is why they can record it taking place. Bank of America charges a LOT of unnecessary fees and places ridiculous holds on your account to create overdrafts so they charge more fees.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: TX
Zip: 76001
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-11-29
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-11-29
Issue: Problem with a lender or other company charging your account
Subissue: Transaction was not authorized
Consumer Complaint: I registered for an XXXX XXXX with XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ). During a trip to Florida I received some weird text messages requesting to access my account. When I further looked into the situation, there were three XXXX XXXX taken through the XXXX mobile application on XX/XX/XXXX ( in the amount of {$200.00} ), XX/XX/XXXX ( in the amount of {$200.00} ), and XX/XX/XXXX ( in the amount of {$200.00} ). I contacted XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX after contacting Bank of America on XX/XX/XXXX, notifying them that I was a victim of fraud. That someone had taken cash advances and sent them to a debit card ending in XXXX, which is not my debit card. The only debit card that I used and registered with my XXXX profile, were my Bank of America debit card ending in XXXX which was tied to my Bank of America checking account ending in XXXX. XXXX immediately admitted to the fraud and stopped the transfer for one of the charges as repayment from my bank of america account ending in XXXX. The other two charges for repayment of the cash advance came out on XXXX. I have yet to be refunded for both of the charges by either financial institution. XXXX has stated that they admit the money was sent to an account that is isn't mine, however they will not refund me. Bank of America denied my claim for reimbursement.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: TX
Zip: 780XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-11-29
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A