Consumer complaint received 2021-07-13
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: WA
Product: Credit card or prepaid card
Sub-product: General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Problem with a purchase shown on your statement
Sub-issue: Card was charged for something you did not purchase with the card

Complaint:
My on-site experience at XXXX XXXX XXXX On XX/XX/2021, while leaving the XXXX XXXX store located on the second floor of the XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, WA, I walked past the second floor stores when I was solicited by and literally pulled into the XXXX XXXX XXXX store by a very aggressive salesperson named XXXX who told me he had a product that would take away the wrinkles under my eyes. While inside the store, I was surrounded and distracted by XXXX XXXX XXXX their supposed XXXX  ) as well as XXXX XXXX their supposed Store Manager ). Their business cards and contact information are attached to this dispute, ref ( 1 ). They all hovered around me pushing their products on me. 
I decided to purchase just ONE product, after refusing many times, only to finally have them convince me by discounting the price by 50 % and the offer of one free product along with one free facial. Both products are described in the next section. I was offered the free facial, by XXXX XXXX which I scheduled for XX/XX/2021. It was understood there would be NO CHARGE for this service. I went back to XXXX XXXX XXXX at XXXX XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/2021 to receive my free facial treatment. I did not purchase ANYTHING nor did I authorize ANY charges during that visit. 
These ( 2 ) occasions were the only times I was physically inside XXXX XXXX XXXX in XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, WA. At the end of XX/XX/2021, I discovered during a shopping trip to the XXXX XXXX XXXX that XXXX XXXX XXXX was no longer in business at XXXX XXXX XXXX when I encountered their empty store with their XXXX XXXX  sign gone. I took a picture which is attached to this dispute, ref ( 2 ). I flagged down a XXXX XXXX XXXX  ( XXXX XXXX XXXX guard to ask when XXXX XXXX had left the mall and what happened to them. She told me it had been a few weeks ago and nothing more. I also asked the employees of a business, XXXX XXXX, on the first floor nearby. They verified with me that XXXX XXXX had indeed left the mall a few weeks ago. They said the employees of this store would come and go and would not always be open which is against the mall rules. Their impression of this business was that it was rather sketchy and mysterious. 
Details of my XXXX XXXX XXXX purchase on XX/XX/2021 I made a purchase at XXXX XXXX XXXX in XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/2021 in the amount of {$220.00} for XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX product and I received a free XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX product. The receipt for that transaction is attached to this dispute ref ( 3 ). This purchase was charged to my XXXX  credit card and the charge shows up on my XXXX  credit card statement as XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX WA in the Description column, in the correct amount of {$220.00}. 
What is noteworthy to mention was that I was surrounded and distracted by XXXX XXXX XXXX their supposed XXXX  ) as well as XXXX XXXX their supposed Store Manager ) during my purchase. They gave me a sparkling water to add to my distraction. Looking back on this unfortunate experience, I realized I may have perhaps left my purse unattended during all the commotion and distraction. 
Details of the Fraudulent, Unauthorized credit card charges The 1st ( 2 ) fraudulent, unauthorized charges were made on XX/XX/2021, in the amount of {$3000.00} on my XXXX credit card and {$9100.00} on my Bank of America ( BOA ) credit card. I did not receive any services, products, receipts or any other information regarding these fraudulent, unauthorized charges. 
The 3rd fraudulent, unauthorized charge was in the amount of {$27000.00} on XX/XX/2021 on my XXXX  credit card. While I was at XXXX XXXX receiving my free facial treatment on XX/XX/2021, I left the treatment room and against my better judgement, I left my purse unattended hanging on a hook in the treatment room. They wanted me to look at my skin in the light of the store in the large mirrors. XXXX XXXX and the Store Manager XXXX were literally in my face saying how beautiful my skin was, etc., which was very distracting to me and gave me a sparkling water to add to the commotion. 
Also, on XX/XX/2021 there was a charge for {$13000.00} for XXXX XXXX XXXX which BOA declined. The BOA Fraud department informed me of this great news after I reported the fraudulent, unauthorized {$9100.00} charge to BOA made on XX/XX/2021. 
I did not receive any services, products, receipts or any other information regarding these ( 3 ) fraudulent, unauthorized charges. All 3 fraudulent, unauthorized charges showed up on both my XXXX  and BOA credit card statements in the Description column as XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX WA. This is the exact same description at the top of the credit card receipt for the initial, sole, valid credit card purchase I made at XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
I have no idea what was to be purchased by the ( 3 ) fraudulent, outrageous, unauthorized charges. I received NO products, services or receipts regarding these charges and no information was given to me by XXXX XXXX  or any other company about why the charges were made. That is still the case. 
I SPECULATE THAT MY CREDIT CARDS WERE TAKEN OUT OF MY WALLET IN MY PURSE BY AN EMPLOYEE ( S ) WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE AND PERMISSION AND PURCHASES WERE MADE WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE OR PERMISSION. 
I noticed all ( 3 ) of these fraudulent, unauthorized charges while doing a random check of my credit card balances on XX/XX/2021. 
I was very surprised that I NEVER received a call or text from XXXX or BOA about these outrageous charges from XXXX XXXX asking if they were legitimate prior to them accepting the charges. I have a history of NOT making large purchases on my credit cards and wondered why I wasnt somehow notified. XXXX  and BOA ACCEPTED these fraudulent, unauthorized charges. The only reason BOA declined the {$13000.00} on XX/XX/2021 because this card had a limit of {$11000.00} and had already been charged {$9100.00} on XX/XX/2021. 
Both my BOA and XXXX  statements reflecting the fraudulent, unauthorized charges are attached to this dispute, ref ( 4 ) thru ( 11 ). 
Filing claims with XXXX  and BOA for fraudulent, unauthorized charges On XX/XX/2021, I filed fraud claims with XXXX  and BOA for these fraudulent, unauthorized charges. On XX/XX/2021, I received a letter from BOA stating that were unable to approve your recent fraud claim. They stated that We confirmed your card was used for the charge ( s ). The chip was read, your PIN was entered, and/or you signed for the merchandise or service, which indicated you or someone you allowed to use your card was present. This statement can not be true. They offered no proof of their assertions, because none exists. 
I asked that the claim be re-evaluated and I received a letter from BOA on XX/XX/2021 stating that our decision to decline your fraud claim for this transaction ( s ) hasnt changed. They offered no new data ; they just used the exact same words ( above ) from their initial evaluation. again. 
On XX/XX/2021, I received a letter from XXXX stating that Upon concluding our investigation of your recent fraud claim, we have determined the following transaction ( s ) was/were authorized. The {$3000.00} and {$27000.00} fraudulent, unauthorized charges were listed. They added that You have received benefit from the transaction ( s ) by either receiving services and/or merchandise from the merchant. This statement also can not be true. They offered no proof of their assertions, because none exists. 
All BOA and XXXX  correspondence regarding these fraudulent, unauthorized charges are attached to this dispute, ref ( 12 ) ( 17 ). 
Police / Security reports made of these events I called the XXXX Police Department and a XXXX Police Report was filed for these exact events. It is report number XXXX, dated XX/XX/2021 and updated on XX/XX/2021. This report was made by XXXX Officer XXXX, badge # XXXX. I requested Officer  XXXX  to press charges against XXXX XXXX XXXX for fraudulent, unauthorized charges on my credit cards that I DID NOT AUTHORIZE. 
I reported the events to XXXX XXXX XXXX, the XXXX XXXX XXXX security company, who also has many reports on file against XXXX XXXX, including mine. The XXXX XXXX XXXX case number XXXX  XXXX. XXXX XXXX is the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
Personal Research into XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX has a very solid reputation as a very high-pressure and fraudulent sales organization XXXX. What I experienced at their store was very high-pressure sales, a lot of employees surrounding me, and a lot of confusion and distraction. I have attached, ref ( 18 ) ( 20 ), an article from XXXX magazine that exemplifies XXXX XXXX XXXX reputation. A simple XXXX search of XXXX XXXX XXXX brings up a huge number of fraud/scam articles/reports against XXXX XXXX XXXX. Here are just a few worth mentioningthere are MANY, MANY, MORE! 
XXXX XXXX XXXX  SCAM I SAY! 
XXXX : XXXX XXXX XXXX REVIEW ; UNETHICAL PRACTICES/COMPLAINTS XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  SCAM https : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  DIRTY SCAM XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX & XXXX & XXXX & XXXX & XXXX & XXXX & XXXX & XXXX & XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX UNEARTHS A PRICING SCAM : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX & XXXX XXXX XXXX % XXXX & XXXX & XXXX Victim Statements I took my XXXX credit card out of my wallet to make the initial {$220.00} purchase with XXXX XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/2021. I never removed my BOA credit card from my wallet in their store. I SPECULATE THAT MY CREDIT CARDS WERE TAKEN OUT OF MY WALLET IN MY PURSE BY AN EMPLOYEE ( S ) WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE AND PERMISSION AND PURCHASES WERE MADE WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE OR PERMISSION. 
I did nothing wrong except walk past an XXXX XXXX store before getting solicited and then pulled into the store by an aggressive salesperson. Looking back, I shouldve broken free and just kept on walkingbut I was taken completely by surprise. 
XXXX and BOA did something very wrong by accepting fraudulent, unauthorized charges to my credit cards. XXXX XXXX Cosmetics are complete SCAM ARTISTS and XXXX and BOA refuse to go after these XXXX  for their fraud. Instead, XXXX  and BOA are choosing to dump their problem on me, the customer. I challenge both XXXX  and BOA to prove to me that my PIN was entered or that I signed anything. They CANT because I did NEITHER. 
Attachments ref ( 1 ) XXXX dispute_XXXX XXXX employee cards names ref ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  store front closed 3 2021 ref ( 3 ) XXXX dispute_XXXX   XXXX receipt 01 12 2021 ref ( 4 XXXX XXXX dispute_BOA Statement_1_28_2021 1 of 6 ref ( 5 ) XXXX dispute_BOA Statement_1_28_2021 2 of 6 ref ( XXXX ) XXXX dispute_BOA Statement_1_28_2021 3 of 6 ref ( XXXX XXXX XXXX dispute_BOA Statement_1_28_2021 4 of 6 ref ( XXXX ) XXXX dispute_XXXX XXXX Statement_1 21_2021 1 of XXXX ref ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX Statement_1 XXXX 2 of 4 ref ( 10 XXXX XXXX disputeXXXX  XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX of XXXX ref ( XXXX ) XXXX dispute_XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX of XXXX ref ( XXXX XXXX XXXX dispute_BOA temporary XXXX ref ( XXXX XXXX XXXX dispute_BOA_Not fraud XXXX ref ( XXXX XXXX XXXX dispute_BOA re-evaluation XXXX page XXXX of XXXX ref ( XXXX XXXX XXXX dispute_BOA re-evaluation letteXXXX page XXXX of XXXX ref ( XXXX XXXX XXXX disputeXXXX XXXX_Investigation XXXX ref ( XXXX XXXX XXXX dispute_XXXX XXXX_Not fraud letter_XXXX ref ( XXXX XXXX XXXX dispute_XXXX XXXX XXXX Cosmetics Review : XXXX XXXX Scam XXXX of XXXX ref ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX Cosmetics Review : XXXX XXXXl Scam XXXX of XXXX ref ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX Cosmetics Review : XXXX XXXX XXXXcam 3 of 3

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