Consumer complaint received 2022-02-08
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: NJ
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Domestic (US) money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX I received an email about getting a job at XXXX XXXX XXXX for a 2D/3D artist job. It said for me to communicate with them about the job through an app called XXXX and speak with someone by the name XXXX XXXX. They had an icon that also said XXXX XXXX on it to make it seem legit. I communicated with them there and they told me the benefits and a XXXX XXXX tablet that they will send to me. They then direct deposited me {$7500.00} to my Bank of America account through XXXX. They then told me to send the money of to a guy named XXXX through XXXX so I can get my equipment set-up. I transfer over {$2600.00} to XXXX through XXXX. The bank gave me a notification warning saying I can't send money over the {$3500.00} maximum amount within 24 hours. They gave me new instructions to go a deposit the money on to gift cards, mostly XXXX gift cards to divide the money in to small parts. Once I did that, I had to message them back with the gift card 's stripe number to confirm and send the money directly to XXXX. This process was going on for 5 days. Mid way they sent me {$4600.00} to be processed to my BOA checking account. They then, message me again saying they need more money and if I could send them {$500.00}. I questioned this and rejected there request telling them I am in college I don't have that amount of money. When i asked, they suddenly stopped replying and dropped contact with me. Complete vanished and took down their XXXX XXXX studios icon. My checking account then received a nasty amount- {$4600.00}. I called Bank of America and disputed this claim and they said they would call me back if they resolved anything. I opened up a new checking account so I can pay my bills and received direct deposited normal until this is resolved. Months go by I would call them from time to time asking about the status on the claim I filed. They said the investigator are still on this and that they will call me when they find anything. Months later up until XX/XX/XXXX, Bank of America closed my checking old account with the - {$4600.00}. I though this was a sign that they cleared it and the issue was solved. But not too long, the bank forcefully starts taking money out from my new checking account and sent emails saying I have a negative balance on my old checking account saying I am still responsible for paying the amount, even though i never spend nor send any of my own money and that the money being deposited back and forth through XXXX was not my money. It was the scammer 's money. Now as of XX/XX/XXXX I have received money from the school of {$2000.00} to pay my tuition. It was sent my BOA checking account ( the new one ) on XX/XX/XXXX overnight at XXXX. But at XXXX, Bank of America XXXX the {$2000.00} out of my account and now it is on hold. leaving me with only {$25.00} on my account.

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