Consumer complaint received 2020-07-23
Company: PNC Bank N.A.
State: KY
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Domestic (US) money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
I am a student that is looking for housing near campus and found the offer on XXXX on XX/XX/2020. I called at first and someone picked up the phone but since I couldn't hear her properly on the phone, all of my interaction was through the messages. We ask for a showing to the house and she stated that due to COVID-19, she is not offering a showing but we can drop by the house to check it out. This is a pretty hard time for everyone so I believe her, so I went to see the house from the outside. I then pay the application fee of {$150.00} for 3 tenants, {$1000.00} deposit fee, {$500.00} pet fee, and {$800.00} for first-month rent. After we sign the lease, one tenant decides to drop out due to his personal reasons and we had to pay the landlord {$200.00} for redoing the lease. However, after the lease is signed, she stated that her husband found another person that is willing to pay 6 months in advance of the rent and they are considering giving the house to them. The lease agreement somewhat stated that they have the privilege the terminate lease within 10 days of the notice and I didn't want to go through more trouble to find another house go I agreed to pay in advance too. I sent her another {$2000.00} but couldn't do more due to the monthly limit on XXXX. We came to an agreement to pay the rest after we move in. After a week, we just want to confirm the date we will be receiving the keys. Usually, it should be a week before the move-in date and after messaging her, she refused to send us the keys until we make all the payment or until the move-in date. I called her phone and she never answers but does reply to the messages. I find this very suspicious so my friends went to XXXX and found the contact information for the house and found out that the house was sold a week ago, which is after I signed the lease. That house did not belong to her. Then my friend contact the landlord and disguised himself as someone that is interested in the house. She replied that the house is available ASAP. 

I immediately contacted my bank about this and my dispute was denied because XXXX does not offer fraud protection so I can not get the money reimbursed. I also contacted the Kentucky State Police and XXXX Metro Police but they said that my case is considered a civil issue which they do not take care of. I already filed the scam complaint to the FTC and the Kentucky Attorney 's office. I am currently just waiting for their response. 

I have the lease agreement which contains the scammers name and the attorneys name and our messages. Currently, I havent confronted the landlord about the scam to not alert her, but I was supposed to move into the house on XX/XX/XXXX. I know that I am not going to receive the keys but after this date, Im not sure if they can still be tracked down. I suspect that her phone is a prepaid phone. I also have our phone messages still saved. If you need that information, please contact me.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation