Consumer complaint received 2023-09-27
Company: PNC Bank N.A.
State: CA
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Domestic (US) money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
I used XXXX through my bank ( PNC ), to purchase tickets to a launch party on XX/XX/2023 from a person that contacted me and said she had tickets available. The person ended up being a scammer and stole the {$100.00} I sent them for the two tickets. The scammer blocked me and stopped replying to my messages. When I realized this, I tried to reach out to my bank but they were closed for the day. I called the next day, XX/XX/2023 and filed a dispute. I also reported the person to XXXX and made a report with the internet crimes complaint center. I also made a report with the FTC ( XXXX ). 

Two weeks later I get a letter in the mail from bank saying that the dispute claim was denied. I noticed that the date on that letter was from the next business day, XXXX XXXX  and that they didnt really investigate the matter. No one called me or asked for any prof of my being scammed. So, I was told that I could make another dispute, which I did and told them they could contact me and I could show them proof that I was scammed because I have the whole conversation that was held with the person that scammed me and it shows they intentionally set out to scam me and had no intention on selling the tickets to me. I think they even forged confirmation that they had these tickets because I contacted the venue it was held at and they could not find the person or anyone with a similar name. That was on XX/XX/2023. Today, I received a letter in the mail that was dated XX/XX/2023. 

It is was obvious that my bank did not investigate the scam and once again no one contacted me. I called the number on the letter denying the claim because it said I could contact them and they would give me the information they used to rely on making their decision. I asked the person multiple times for this information and then I asked if they just blanket deny disputes if the sender sent it to the person. He put me on hold. The man then came back and said they denied my claim since I sent the money to the person. They do not consider it a scam and consider it like handing someone cash. I said it was a scam and he kept saying it wasnt and it wasnt a scam by the bank. I said I know the bank didnt scam me but this person did and I know they could attempt a chargeback and that the person commuted fraud. I asked to speak to a supervisor and he at first kept saying he could file another dispute. Finally he said he could escalate the claim and someone will call me in 24-48 hours and he couldnt transfer me to anyone. 

I looked into it and was able to find out that this wasnt this persons first time scamming someone but yet she was still able to use XXXX so reporting her means nothing. I know my bank is one of a few that own XXXX so they are partially responsible for not stopping people like her. I and the venue have done more investigation than my bank has. The bank doesnt lookout for its customers. XXXX doesnt either ( which my bank, PNC , is a part owner of ). The venue tried looking out for me better than my own bank. They lie about investigating the situation just to shut you up. They dont investigate if you are scammed by someone that is defrauding you. When possible I will look for a place that doesnt use XXXX and that looks out for its customers. Banks and scammers should be held liable for these actions.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation