Consumer complaint received 2023-10-11
Company: Block, Inc.
State: IL
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Mobile or digital wallet
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX, I saw an XXXX XXXX XXXX offered at the price of {$400.00}, complete with delivery. I negotiated with her to bring down the price to {$350.00} the proceed to make the purchase, my preferred method of payment was XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. However, the seller, who identified herself as a XXXX girl, explained that she did not possess a XXXX account. Her situation seemed genuine ; she needed the funds for an upcoming field trip and couldn't contact her father until XX/XX/XXXX. To cover shipping costs, she requested an initial payment of {$100.00}, which she suggested could be conveniently sent to her maid 's XXXX account. Trusting her circumstances, I obliged and sent the {$100.00}. 

She claimed to have shipped the XXXX XXXX via XXXX. However, an unexpected twist arose when she disclosed that the tracking information couldn't be provided because the XXXX payment had not cleared. In a bid to ensure the smooth progression of the transaction, I acquiesced to her request for more funds and transferred {$100.00} to her CashApp account. 

A snag in the process emerged when I received a receipt with a slightly misspelled address and the XXXX tracking is also untraceable. Alarmed, I brought this issue to her attention, which prompted her to ask for an additional {$50.00} on XX/XX/XXXX to cover a round trip XXXX ride to XXXX My determination to see the transaction through led me to provide the requested funds. After awhile she told me that XXXX is closed on Sunday so she can not do anything about this. 

On the following Tuesday, XX/XX/XXXX, she explained her need for {$80.00} to cover the field trip scheduled for the next day. Although my trust was still intact at this point, her financial predicament and the lack of consistency in her story began to raise some suspicion. In the afternoon of that same day, she mentioned having only {$20.00} on hand, while the overnight shipping cost stood at {$50.00}. My skepticism grew when she asserted that her CashApp account could only accept amounts equal to or exceeding {$50.00}. Despite these doubts, I sent her {$50.00}, with the remaining {$20.00} considered a loan. 

Following this transfer, she informed me that she needed to return to the back of the XXXX line, unable to deliver the package due to the long wait. She mentioned a need to withdraw the {$50.00} I had sent, and claimed that XXXX closed at XXXX XXXX, with the security team allegedly ignoring her due to her age and XXXX skin tone. 

Maintaining my patience, I waited until the next Monday, as she had mentioned being on a five-day field trip. On that day, XX/XX/XXXX, she requested {$50.00} for transport fare, which I provided, still believing her story. However, the situation took a darker turn when she revealed that the previous delivery had been canceled, and she required funds for a new one. This marked the point at which my suspicions were validated, as she began to accuse me of dishonesty and non-payment. By that time, I had transferred a total of {$430.00}, exceeding the initial agreed-upon amount by {$81.00}. 

Tensions escalated as she engaged in confrontational dialogue and harassment. She also threatened to leave the XXXX premises with the package. She insisted on new shipping costs of {$53.00} for 3 to 4 days or {$120.00} for overnight shipping, contrary to her earlier claims. I suggested using ground shipping for the cheapest delivery fare, but she disputed this, further intensifying the situation. She repeatedly threatened to withhold the package or demanded an additional {$54.00}. Succumbing to pressure, she demanded {$60.00} for the return transport fare, even though I only had {$58.00} in my account which I eventually sent to her. 

Requesting the tracking number, she responded with, " It's with me, '' without providing further information. She claimed the situation was " complicated, '' and amidst growing frustration, she accused me of blaming and insulting her. She asserted that I stood to lose everything if she were to turn back, hinting at plans to go to XXXX until the beginning of the next year, which seemed incongruous with her claim of being a student. She stated that I had no recourse for a refund and that the police would be powerless, citing the fact that I didn't even know her name. 

I contacted CashApp to request a refund for this fraudulent transaction, but I have not received any reply yet.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation