Consumer complaint received 2023-05-16
Company: UNITED BANKSHARES, INC.
State: VA
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Problem using a debit or ATM card

Complaint:
Hello- I got scammed of a work-from-home offer from a legit company employee impersonator. I am detailing the timeline below and other info such as names and phone numbers. As soon as the first check I deposited, from a supposedly employer, bounced I notify my bank. Their fraud department took the steps right away but said there is not much they can do as of this time. I was scammed {$7900.00} of my hardworking and life savings. I have bills to pay but have to wait for my bank to finish their investigation which they said could take 90 days. Please see below timeline and details of the scam. I have paperwork and screenshots if needed. 
XX/XX/2023, Saturday A text from a number XXXX came in asking if I am still interested in a work, I applied for in XXXX. This came during the time when I was submitting multiple proposals in XXXX. I responded to the message and said yes. I was instructed to reach out to an interviewer named XXXX XXXX, on phone number XXXX, in XXXX and send him a code. 
Since I already have a XXXX, it was breeze for me reaching out to this XXXX XXXX. He introduces himself as a Consultant for XXXX. He talked about XXXX exactly the way it says on XXXX  website. He said that they deleted their ad in XXXX because XXXX charges 30 % fee. He also explained the interview process and sent me 15 interview questions which I need to finish within 20-25minutes. The questions were accounting work related. After I finished answering the questions, he sent follow up questions. Up to this point, I had no doubt, nor once had I thought of this being a scam. 
He also explained/told me the benefits and how my work hours will be tracked. That, I will be needing and using a Time Tracker machine to properly get paid for my hours. 
XX/XX/2023, Sunday He sent me a message telling me to check my email cause HR sent me an offer letter. The Offer Letter appeared so legit 5 pages which details my job, pay, and benefits. I even looked at their company logo online again. He asked when they would get the signed Offer Letter. I told them I would think about it overnight and get back to them the following morning. 
XX/XX/2023 Monday I signed the offer letter and e-mailed it back to them. He reiterated that my working from home will need company required equipment and software. He explained that they are sending me the funds ( as an e-check ) to pay for the equipment and software. The first check he sent me failed multiple times. He sent me a 2nd check of {$4800.00} and this time it went thru. My bank sent me a notification that the check processed/posted. He asked when the money would be available. I said in 24hrs. 
XX/XX/2023 Tuesday He then sent me a supposedly, vendors name who will process/get my equipment and software ready. He gave me a XXXX info to send the money out to pay for the equipment and software. The names and email he gave me for the XXXX are 1. ) XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) and XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ). The XXXX payment method failed multiple times as well, so the ACH option came about. He gave me a name XXXX XXXX XXXX living at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, VA XXXX to send the money to. The bank name is XXXX XXXX  with account number XXXX, Routing number XXXX. I sent {$4700.00}. I even looked up the guys name online. I was wondering what a XXXX old doing on this kind of business. Again, up to this time, I have not once thought of this as a scam. I processed the wire the same day and it was posted the same day. 
XXXX XXXX Wednesday He stated the vendor received the wired funds but they realized the funds were not enough, so they are sending a 2nd check of {$3100.00}. The 2nd check came from the same company. I began questioning him what specific equipment and software I am getting because its a lot of money. He send me a lists which makes sense to me but when I showed my husband the list, my husband said the software are old. 
Even up to this point, were never thought of this being a scam. 
I deposited the 2nd check and gave him the confirmation once I received the notification from my bank that it posted. He then gave me the instruction to send the remaining payment to the vendor. The funds went to the same person I sent the first time, XXXX XXXX XXXX, from XXXX, VA. 
I tried connecting with this guy in XXXX hoping to verify his identity but the real XXXX XXXX from XXXX is not responding to my request. 
XX/XX/XXXX, Thursday He gave me a tracking number for supposedly my equipment and said it will be delivered Saturday. XXXX XXXX  my bank called me and told me the checks I deposited bounced for being fictitious. My bank asked more questions that really worried me so I told them to recall the two wires. 
On the same day, my bank confirmed that they got hold of XXXX XXXX, the receiving bank, and said the receiving bank was doing an investigation. Ive exchanged email with my bank sending them some documents about this scam dealings. 
XX/XX/XXXX, Friday I made a follow up check with my bank on the status of my recall request. My bank, United Bank  , fraud department told me they emailed a Hold Harmless Agreement to the receiving bank and filed a complaint with IC3. United Bank  stated they have taken all the actions but just waiting from the receiving bank to finish their investigation. 
XX/XX/2023 I reached out to United Bank  again. XXXX XXXX from the bank said they have been in contact with an employee in the Operation and Compliance Department at XXXX. 
XX/XX/2023 I made a follow with United Bank  again. They told me investigation could take up to 90days. 
At this point, I feel so hopeless, I just lost {$7900.00} ( {$4700.00} plus {$3100.00} ) to a scammer. My hardwork and saving down the drain. 


Thank you, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation