Consumer complaint received 2023-01-31
Company: NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
State: TX
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Savings account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Deposits and withdrawals

Complaint:
I am a current XXXX at XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX Texas ). I received an Email through my school. All emails through the school are typically approved and this one did not have any flags regarding spam messaging. The email was inquiring about a part time position as a personal assistant. Seemed weird but i was able to look up the company and the gentleman. the emailed had me fill out a XXXX docs form with my personal email address, my school email address, and my phone number. XXXX XXXX with XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ). The business seemed legit and i had no reason not to trust them since the school also approved it and the business and name were easily found on XXXX ( first to pop up after search ). I received the first message regarding this job on XX/XX/2023. A " XXXX XXXX XXXX '' Texted me using the number ( XXXX ) XXXX. He simply asked if I would like more information and that was it. ( i have the text messages saved ). On Thursday XX/XX/2023, XXXX XXXX me using the number ( XXXX ) XXXX. I again have all text messages saved. He then emailed me under the name XXXX XXXX using the email address " XXXX ''. The email listed " job duties '' and asked for some personal information such as my address and my number. As well as asking what bank i used ( i did not give out any routing numbers or account numbers ). After he emailed me he asked if i was ready to start, i said sure. He proceeded to send me a check via text message in the amount of {$950.00} ( USD of course ). This check was from XXXX, check number XXXX, From XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX ( address on check is XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX CO XXXX ) with the number at the bottom being XXXX. I wasn't concerned as i have never seen this before but the check was as legit as it could be. HE asked me to deposit it and so i did. After waiting he wanted me to XXXX {$220.00} to a " $ XXXXXXXX  ( XXXX XXXX ) in the name of " XXXX XXXX ''. After that failed to go through on Saturday XX/XX/2023. He asked me to XXXX it through my bank account. I mentioned i was uncomfortable with it and asked if i could just return the money he sent me to him and part ways. I callled navy federal Friday XX/XX/2023 at approx. XXXX XXXX after i got off work and asked for them to cancel the check and not deposit it, they denied my request and told me " check you account and only call if something bad happens ''. something bad indeed happened. He told me there was no reason to be worried as " is 100 % legit and it was approved by the school. '' so i went ahead and did as he asked since he wouldn't accept his money to be returned. I made XXXX XXXX transactions with his money. The first was a transaction of {$220.00} to " XXXX XXXX '' ( XXXX, Payment ID : XXXX, Confirmation number : XXXX ). The second was a transaction of {$670.00} to XXXX XXXX ( XXXX, payment ID : XXXX, Confirmation Number : XXXX ). These were both separately approved respectively by Navy federal credit union the same day. This totaled to {$900.00} USD, leaving {$50.00} left over from the original {$950.00} that was sent to me. He asked me to keep it as my payment for completing the tasks. I left it in my savings account and did not touch it. I woke up today ( XX/XX/2023 ) to see that my account was - {$910.00}. I immediately called the bank and asked what happened, i explained the situation however all they told me was they waived a {$15.00} dollar fee for the check return as the check i was sent bounced and {$950.00} was taken out of my account plus the {$15.00} return fee i was charged ( which was returned to me ). the bank said i was screwed and could do nothing for me even though i warned them about this on friday when i called asking to cancel the check deposit and they denied me that as well. So i was no protected by my bank after i was concerned and asked to cancel the deposit and then the bank could not help me other than waiving the fee they charged me when the {$950.00} got taken out ( a total of {$970.00} including the fee ). the bank told me to call XXXX and simply ask for my money back. I then called the number of " XXXX '' and he has me blocked so i could not reach him. I then called the bank again after they told me to if he was not reachable. The bank told me to file a police report so i called the XXXX XXXX Police Station and informed them of the situation. I was directed to file an online report with the FBI. I did email the president of XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX. I summarized the situation and requested his help and an answer as to why this was approved by the school. I filed a fraud complaint with XXXX at XXXX through the university website ( key number for file is XXXX ). I am about to call the schools police department and expend my last options possible.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation