Consumer complaint received 2018-09-05
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: CA
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Closing an account
Sub-issue: Company closed your account

Complaint:
Back story : Around early XX/XX/2018  I was approached via email by the XXXX XXXX XXXX. to apply and become and XXXX XXXX with the Company. I was to XXXX XXXX their U.S. Oil Accounts. At first I was a bit skeptical but after research and review the Company seemed to be legitimate. 

I accepted their offer. ( see contract attached ). They then asked me to wait to hear from their investors. I was then contacted by Director XXXX. XXXX XXXX of XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX. XXXX XXXX sent me the first payment. I was not aware of my full job duties until I received instruction in each message on what to execute. 

I received the first payment and followed instructions. I deposited the check for {$11.00}, XXXX from a Company called XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX into the ATM. The check funds were approved. I then was instructed to go into the bank and wire transfer the funds to a XXXX XXXX XXXX. I did not think anything of it as funds were cleared and I was completing my job as XXXX XXXX. I met with you and we went through the process of verifying, approving, and transferring funds with all necessary parties. The funds were approved and transferred as noted on the account. 

Unfortunately, two days later the Check was returned by the Bank and the negative balance was applied to my account. I tried to rectify the situation with the Company. XXXX. XXXX of the XXXX XXXX XXXX told me that XXXX. XXXX of the XXXX XXXX XXXX was being looked into and would be made positive by week end. Their communication was consistent so I did not look into to further actions. XXXX. XXXX then contacted me and let me know they would be sending another check to rectify the situation. That check came via Priority Mail. The amount was for {$19000.00}. 

The check was supposed to cover the negative balance on the account and any other fees occurred. I followed instructions and deposited the check via ATM. As you can see that check ended up being returned. I then let both of the suspected SCAM parties know of that negative transaction and began to request that the funds be appropriated asap to fix the problem. 

After reaching out several times communication between the suspected SCAM parties stopped. I then contacted Bank of America Wire Department to report the SCAM. Also to note to the account. Along with the Federal Trade Commission. As well as filing a police report. ( See supporting case numbers ). 

Federal Trade Commission - Complaint # : XXXX B of A Report # : XXXX XXXX Police Report # : XXXX In the final step I need to close this account and re-open a new business account with out penalties. 

The above information is my letter to Bank of America Associates. After receiving this info and my self making several appearances inside the Bank. B of A then took/ " transferred '' {$240.00} from my personal account to cover the overdrawn balance from the account in which the fraudulent activity took place on XX/XX/2018. That was all the $ $ I had left in the world. They did not care. They told me sorry I was going to have to cover the monies that are over drafted. I requested that all actions be put on hold until the investigation of the SCAM/ FRAUD was closed. They then closed my Checking & Personal Accounts on XX/XX/2018. These accounts were positive. The only accounts they kept open where the accounts that were in the negative. 

I feel that is the Bank had enough time to look into taking the small change that we have and transfer that to an obvious account that has been made the victim of a horrible scam they could have used more discretion in making sure that a very large check had accurate funds and was cleared before allowing funds to be made available for a transfer. 

This type of Bank Policy protecting against Consumer Fraud & SCAMS should be amendment to further protect the Consumer. The Banks just basically told me to " XXXX '' Off - I was on my own and now I acquired the new debt. This is not right. I feel like I was taken advantage of from all parties. The people who SCAMMED my self and the Bank System. Bank of America for not protecting me as the consumer. 

I have had to call at least 10 different departments with Bank of America and know one can tell me additional information regarding this investigation. I honestly believe that no investigation was ever in-acted on behalf of the Consumer. 

I need help and I am reaching out to all Parties that can to help prevent this type of SCAM and un-deserved treatment from financial institutions from happening to any body else. NO ONE DESERVES to go through this experience.

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