Consumer complaint received 2021-10-11
Company: PNC Bank N.A.
State: OH
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was result of identity theft

Complaint:
Around XXXX of XXXX I found out that I had been a victim of identity theft at my PNC bank regarding my Student checking and savings accounts. I shared these accounts with my mother because she opened these for me when I was a minor. After speaking with a branch manager in XXXX, OH, to our surprise, we found out that there were multiple deposits made into my account ranging from {$1000.00} to {$15000.00} all coming from The Illinois Department of Employment Security ( IDES ). I currently and have always lived in Ohio and have no knowledge of these transactions. We were informed that these deposits started in XXXX of XXXX. I was unaware of these because I am a XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and I was not working at the time, so I had no reason to regularly check my bank accounts. The unknown person that stole my identity and account information used my name somehow to receive unemployment and have it deposited to my PNC checking and savings accounts. These were NOT my deposits and I had nothing to do with it. The unknown person also, transferred the money from my PNC accounts into another unknown account that was not mine. 

The branch manager informed me that there was an ongoing investigation. So She advised that I opened another checking account because we said we would not be using the fraudulent account anymore. I withdrew my {$100.00} that was actually mine and left the fraudulent account alone. The branch manager said she would follow-up to see if she could find anything out about the investigation and someone should be in touch with me. She also put in a dispute for me on all of the charges. Some of those disputes came back as denied stating that and error did not occur because the transfers to the unknown bank account had already processed. In the meantime, months passed by and I followed up with the manager every now and then, but they were still investigating. 

In XXXX Is when I finally received a letter from PNC stating that my account along with my mother 's additional PNC accounts had all been closed. There was no reason giving at first, but after speaking with the branch manager again she informed us that this is typical of how PNC conducts its business. They disassociate themselves from the customer and any fraudulent accounts. I also received another letter stating that I owed over {$6000.00} of debt for the fraudulent account.

They closed the fraudulent account and they also closed my 2nd student PNC accounts that I opened after the fraudulent activity. I had a balance of over $ 500+ in that account and that money was taken without permission and applied to the balance of my fraudulent account. I was also told by the branch manager that a charge off would go to me and my mothers credit report, which is ridiculous for something that we do not cause. 

Me and my mom have called PNC numerous times and have been given multiple numbers to try and get this resolved. Only ending up with no one knowing the answer and sending us in circles.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation