Date Received: 2023-04-27
Issue: Improper use of your report
Subissue: Reporting company used your report improperly
Consumer Complaint: Bank of America XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, NC XXXX Account ending in : XXXX To Whom It May Concern : On XX/XX/2013, I made an uninformed decision when I entered in this consumer credit transaction when there was no evidence of indebtedness. The only evidence of the debt was the agreement but that agreement is null and void because i did not understand its meaning, it was not clear and conspicuous according to 15 USC 1601 ( A ). 15 USC 1602 ( K ) also states that such notice may be given to a cardholder by printing the notice on any credit card, or on each periodic statement of account, issued to the cardholder, or by any other means reasonably assuring the receipt thereof by the cardholder. Bank of America has taken of advantage of me and violated my consumer rights.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: IL
Zip: 60431
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-04-27
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-04-26
Issue: Problem with a purchase or transfer
Subissue: Card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase or transfer
Consumer Complaint: Bank of America says they issued me my XXXX card which I never recieved I didnt even know the card existed due to XXXX locking me out of my account and just recently I finally got in contact with XXXX and they told me I had been paid out to call Bank of America so I did and there is no funds in the account I guess somone got ahold of my card and drained they acount it has been like 45 days already and still no funds they denied my claim at first but Ive sent all documents they requested in a timely manner Claim Number : XXXX I have another 2 claims open and 4were resolved in my favor but its been 45 days for thee others
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: CA
Zip: 93004
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-04-26
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: No
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-04-26
Issue: Fraud or scam
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: Commencing on or about XX/XX/2022, I fell victim to two multi-layered scam operations run by XXXX and XXXX which involved me making deposits for a total amount of XXXX USD from my XXXX XXXX account to Bank of America at the instructions of the scammers. In providing its services, financial institutions as registered and licensed Payment Service Providers, are required by law to exercise the care and skill of a diligent, prudent banker. In this case, this means that the payment service provider should not turn a blind eye to known facts pointing to a real possibility that their customer is a scammer or is involved in potentially fraudulent activity.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: NY
Zip: 11373
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-04-26
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-04-25
Issue: Opening an account
Subissue: Account opened as a result of fraud
Consumer Complaint: Account was opened in XX/XX/2022 until XX/XX/2022 email address that was set up for this account was XXXX which is not my email address. Bank of America allowed this account for Safe Balance Banking account to be open without proper identification. I was unaware of any of this until I received a letter and statements notifying of the closing of the account due to a business decision still had not properly identified. You can open this type of account online without providing proper Identify. Driver license number issue date, expiration date and/or uploaded your ID. Now after the fact Bank of American wants all the following information : Fraud Claim number XXXX XXXX ). ID sure as driver 's license or a state, government or military issued ID. 2. a copy of SS card, 3 ) a copy of ss statement, 4 ). proof of residency utility bill or insurance bill or rental or mortgage. 4 ). any original account documents you received for the account ( XXXX ) which i will not have because I did not open this account. 5 ). A copy of the policy report ( XXXX filed through XXXX County Sheriff 's Office ). If only that had completed the property ID verification upfront, which was not completed online. however, if they walked into a bank this would not have happened because there would have been proper identification done. I am requesting restitution. Bank of America needs to be stricter on their online banking products when opening accounts. This is ridiculous. I was yelled by their staff, and I did not do this this is not my fault. Completely on them and they should take ownership.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: SC
Zip: 29349
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-04-25
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-04-25
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: BOA contacted me on XX/XX/XXXX with a fraud alert which let me know my identity and credit card accounts had been compromised. I immediately responded, cancelled the card, filed a police report and froze my credit. Then later that month the thief opened a BOA checking account in my name and on XX/XX/XXXX took a {$2100.00} cash advance from my BOA credit card and had that advance deposited into a new fraudulent BOA checking account that was opened in my name without my permission online WITHOUT an ID. I didn't know any of this had happened until I received a BOA Debit card in the mail on XX/XX/XXXX. I immediately drove to a BOA bank to close the fraudulent checking account and finally on XX/XX/XXXX the {$2100.00} was transferred from the fraudulent checking account back to the BOA credit card. Yesterday, over 4 months later I received a BOA credit card statement showing I still owe the {$2100.00} cash advance and now they are charging me interest on the advance that I never made. I have been through several rounds of disputes and am unable to get anyone at BOA to review the clear documentation and fix the errors that BOA has made and are still trying to charge me for. BOA treats victims like criminals. After being a loyal customer for 25 years, they have done nothing to protect my personal information, they have caused my credit scores to drop and they are fraudulently reporting the current balance that includes charges I never made to the credit bureaus while the disputes are still in review 4 months later.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: DE
Zip: 199XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-04-25
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-04-25
Issue: Managing an account
Subissue: Funds not handled or disbursed as instructed
Consumer Complaint: On XX/XX/2022, a check was written by me from a XXXX XXXX XXXX checking account in the amount of {$6200.00} for a monthly rent at an assisted living facility. On or about XX/XX/2022, the check was apparently stolen from the XXXX Postal Service at some point in transit. The thief washed the check, changing the payee and the memo line on the check in an obvious and sloppy attempt at manipulating the check. I discovered the fraud in mid-XXXX and filed a claim with XXXX. XXXX lost the original claim, and a new claim was filed in XX/XX/2022. After repeated inquiries on my part, I learned that the check was deposited by the fraudster into a Bank of America account via an ATM machine. XXXX also claimed that Bank of America was not responding to inquiries regarding the check. I reached out to Bank of America directly and they stated that they would have responded to XXXX months ago. I also reached out to Bank of America and they stated via e-mail that there was nothing they could do as the fraudster has closed the account. Now my elderly parent is out {$6200.00}, due to Bank of America failing to catch a clearly manipulated check, and XXXX dragging their feet on per suing the matter in a timely manner.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: OH
Zip: 44122
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-04-25
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-04-25
Issue: Opening an account
Subissue: Account opened as a result of fraud
Consumer Complaint: XX/XX/700 I received emails from Bank of America stating that an account was attempting to be opened in my email address. I contact BoA and they stated that it was not successful but still advised that I should put fraud alerts everywhere so that I'm covered. I have added alerts to my credit reports and banks.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: VA
Zip: 23236
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-04-25
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-04-25
Issue: Opening an account
Subissue: Account opened as a result of fraud
Consumer Complaint: On XX/XX/2023 I started receiving emails from Bank of America that a checking account application was approved, in progress, welcome to online banking, arrival of a digital debit card and even a money transfer notification in the amount of {$750.00}. I forwarded all those emails to bank of America fraud department @ XXXX. I never received a response. I called the bank and told them I never opened this account and that the name on the account isn't even my current legal name. I was told that the account was flagged and never opened because they never received my identification. I told them that's incorrect because I got an email advising not only was the account opened, but money was being sent to multiple people through XXXX and I even received a debit card in the mail. I was transferred to their fraud department and told they were closing the accounts and starting a claim and that I am not liable for anything, and they were going to send me a letter that I can forward to the credit buraus informing them that this account was fraudulently opened. I provided my email, but never received the letter. The only letter they sent was a letter stating my account was closed and they were reporting it to the check system - nothing in the letter mentions the fraud that occurred, and it even says that this may make this harder for me to open a new bank account? A week later on XX/XX/2023 I received a bank statement That shows the account was opened without any real identification and multiple XXXX transfers occurred on XX/XX/2023 and even an external transfer fee.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: CA
Zip: 95835
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-04-25
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-04-25
Issue: Fraud or scam
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: My wife, XXXX XXXX, received a job offer from a company named XXXX XXXX in early XX/XX/XXXX. We researched this company and it appeared legitimate so she confirmed employment through XXXX XXXX XXXX as instructed. She was in contact with a XXXX XXXX multiple times over several days via the XXXX XXXX and direct conversations over the phone. He overnighted a check # XXXX dated XX/XX/XXXX from XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX IL from a company called XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, MN for {$4800.00}. She direct deposited it to our Bank of America ( BOA ) checking account on XX/XX/XXXX and she was to XXXX 3 transacions of {$1000.00}, {$2500.00}, and {$1000.00} to 3 different emails for vendors to purchase computer hardware and software. Doing what we believed was due diligence, we contacted BOA afterwards and was told that the check was fine and not fraudulent. They later informed us that the check had cleared so we did the 3 XXXX transactions through the Bank of America site. XXXX immediately received a text from Bank of America that the check was fraudulent and to call them. XXXX at BOA answered from the fraud department and suspected a fraud due to " tokens '', etc. and flagged all XXXX transactions to be frozen and not to be completed. She assured us that no funds would be transferred from our account. She also advised calling human resources at XXXX XXXX. XXXX was told by XXXX XXXX that there is no record of her getting employment and that 6 other people that week had been similarly defrauded. The next day we called BOA to confirm that XXXX 's assurance was correct. He initially said that the {$1000.00} was going out but then said that he was looking at the wrong page and that there was an updated second page stating that it was not going out and apologized for upsetting XXXX and assured us that nothing was going out. The next day we noticed that one of the three XXXX transactions had been completed to a XXXX XXXX for {$1000.00}. Then the original {$4800.00} was removed from our account by BOA leaving us down the {$1000.00} that was XXXX resulting in multiple overdrafts from our checking account that we use for daily life. We contacted the F.B.I. who recommended completing an I.C.3 complaint referral form. We spoke to someone at BOA who said that because the bank deemed the check fraudulent that we had a very strong case and should file a BOA claim. Which we did. Approximately 7-10 days later we received a denial letter on our BOA claim. " The transfer posted to the requested account according to intructions provided. We were unsuccessful at recovering the funds on your behalf ... '' This is when the frustrating interactions of conflicting information and illogical responses with BOA began. We called the " we're here to help '' BOA number and was told initially that these decisions are never overturned but since we were told misinformation from BOA that it will be resent to the auditor and we will be contacted in 48 hours. Also that we should submit the IC3 complaint which we now did on XX/XX/XXXX. A week went by without any contact from BOA as promised so we called back. We were told contradictory information from the original BOA employee. Over multiple calls to BOA employees, supervisors, fraud departments, XXXX fraud, etc. over multiple weeks we were told everything from : the funds were frozen but one slipped through ; unapproved claims are never overturned ; XXXX transactions are instantaneous and can not be reversed ; no explanation why then 2 of the 3 were frozen and held ; no explanation why a fraud text to call back is sent if instantaneous and can not be reversed ; that we approved the XXXX transactions ; that if we read carefully it states that BOA is not responsible for XXXX even though it is promoted on their site ; we acknowledge everything you claim in terms of fraud and freezing but can not do anything. XXXX argued that there is a difference between fraud and scam and this is scam not fraud despite BOA and FBI referring to it as employment fraud. On XX/XX/XXXX XXXX received a missed call voicemail from a XXXX XXXX, BOA executive escalation group, XXXX XXXX. After a few episodes of phone tag between XXXX and this XXXX, XXXX called BOA and was told there is no record of her as a BOA employee. We have been with Bank of America since it was XXXXXXXX XXXX in XXXX.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: NJ
Zip: 08050
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-04-25
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-04-25
Issue: Fraud or scam
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: This event began on XX/XX/XXXX at approximately XXXXXXXX XXXX It all started when a friend of mine was going to pay me for something that I got for him, food. He wanted to pay me in cash but I said no because I always lose the change. I suggested to him that he should download XXXX and pay me with XXXX but he said no. So I remembered that he had XXXX and I said XXXX owns XXXX so you have nothing to worry about as far as security. I said okay pay me with XXXX. XXXX does not charge any processing fees for payments between friends. I assumed, wrong, that XXXX would do the same. When he sent the money to me by his phone I was short changed about XXXX cents. It was processing charges. He offered to pay me the XXXX cents but I said no I would call up XXXX. I then proceeded to go on my phone and ask XXXX for a XXXX phone number to reverse fees. XXXX immediately, as it always does, brought me to a web page which had the number that I called. Except this number was not truly a XXXX number. It was the bad guys masking as XXXX. Continuing forward, this man who I shall call XXXX, was witness to all of this as I was at his house. He witnessed it all until approximately XXXX minutes after XXXX Eastern time that day. It was then that he left and I left to go home. I do not think that any damage was done at that time. Attempts were made however they failed possibly because the bad guys after I had downloaded on my XXXX phone the app called any desk. They assured me that this was necessary to validate who I was. It was for their security as well as mine. The person I was talking to was very experienced. He had all the right answers to all of the questions before I asked them. I even complimented him at some time as to how good and how knowledgeable he was with XXXX. Now picture this of me now after having said the previous hitting my head with a hammer. A few times during our connection the connection broke and he said it was because of them having server problems. When a person downloads any desk and when it boots up the program assigns a XXXX digit code to the user. Unfortunately the next day after I had a visit from the investigating officer of the XXXX State Police, who did see this number, but neither he nor I had the awareness to take a screenshot and record the number. With technology as good as it is today I feel most certain that the software engineers of XXXX know that a transaction was being conducted through a third party software. That night I researched any desk and it is widely acclaimed as being the best software being used by professionals in the repair of computers and remote installations. This does not say that any desk is bad. It is primarily being used by the wrong people, the bad guys. I have screenshots of the time I spoke to them at both their XXXX supplied phone number and the number that I called back because they called me back when they lost the connection when my friend went to the dentist. I stayed at his driveway as they continued to work with me. They were very very good. They were very very professional and polished. I am not sure if we were still doing XXXX at the time. They had failed with XXXX where later they succeeded with XXXX. From my limited experience I think that XXXX XXXX or XXXX had better security. However during this time, unknown to me, and definitely not authorized by me there was another security breach. Through that program any desk applied for me a credit card from XXXX. It was closed within hours after I discovered through emails that it was live virtually that I believe by using a XXXX reader I could initiate it. They also said, in the XXXX credit card email that a physical card was being shipped. When I did speak to XXXX credit card which is being authorized by XXXX XXXX they were most helpful. Evidently, these bad people have done this before. When I saw a credit card on my screen I asked where did this come from and the person I was speaking to said that it was only a dummy credit card. It is a place where we can transfer the money to verify you. It is only used for holding for a short period of time in order that we can be sure it's a secure transaction. It certainly sounded logical to me because these guys were good at security. The dummy was me for listening to them and believing. It is certainly safe to say that the above is or was identity theft. As they were not successful in using XXXX to verify me with their XXXX server they asked if I use XXXX. I said I have XXXX but I rarely use it. I then thought a little bit and realized that Bank of America had XXXX available. First, I did not know my XXXX password combination for Bank of America and I was afraid that I may put down the wrong information and get locked out. They encourage me to give it my best shot as they are there to help me get my XXXX cents back. As I write this now I really feel like a dunce. Moving on as this form which I have presented to the CFPB is getting rather lengthy I was successful in getting the correct username password. Let me remind you, that on my telephone screen there was the app any desk and on the top of the app was the identifier of whom I was communicating with. And that showed it read the icon and lettering for the XXXX server. All of this would never have happened if XXXX did their homework and did not accept the phone numbers that were given to them by the bad guys. That phone number which was the toll free phone number has been given to the investigating officer with the XXXX State Police. I even had him call the number when he was with me to see what would happen and it was dead. It actually became nonexistent of which I have proof to show through screenshots of my attempts to call it on my cell phone. The one time that it was going dead it actually answered something like a phone number not available XXXX. I was very surprised when I heard the name XXXX. It may be that XXXX supplies numbers for a fee to people to promote their advertising of which I am sure they make a substantial profit. So in my opinion XXXX is also responsible in my case for my problem. If they had researched the number before they had it presented they would have found that it was a scam. Just the fact that the bad guys requested {$990.00} the first time and then came back 2 minutes later and requested {$990.00} to be transferred to the same person or entity should have been a trigger for security at Bank of America XXXX. If you look at my records with XXXX I have only used it one time before and I think it was for under {$20.00} and I believe it was for my son. Having a request for two withdrawals within minutes, maybe seconds for almost the same amount of money in itself is strange. And I believe, and I am sure that you can find out, that requests under {$1000.00} are not aggressively checked for fraud. That's why those greedy guys try to get the u from their live catch. And I ask you why can not there be a cooling off period of at least 6 hours that a reversal could be done. These money transfer apps are designed for the fraudster. When I finally realized that I was duped I hung up on them. Immediately I was getting repeated return phone calls and I did not pick up but I can see their phone number on caller ID. I gave this phone number also to the investigating officer. I immediately drove to my house which was about XXXX mi away from where I was talking to them and the purpose for that was to call on a dedicated landline Bank of America. As if they were waiting for me when I called it went right to the fraud department. Bank of America knew that I was being duped. Yes I did not have to go through a menu put in my social security number or anything I was switched immediately to the fraud department. I immediately told them what had happened and I was amazed and I assumed, wrongfully so, that I could do something like a stop payment. They took my information down and even as I was talking to them they were still trying to call my home phone number which I had given to them in case we got disconnected. That of course, was before I realized that this was not XXXX servers. I have right on the internet that this has been going on with any desk and XXXX servers. It should be easy to follow the money and where it went to and to enforce the laws which we already have about fraudulent activity and possibly money laundering. I implore you the CFPB to listen to the senators XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX and senator XXXX and do what is necessary to prevent all the theft which is happening because of inadequate security on the XXXX platform. Thank you
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: PA
Zip: 179XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-05-02
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A