Consumer complaint received 2023-02-22
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: VA
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Domestic (US) money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
I subscribed to the job platform called XXXX XXXX to find a job. I was contacted by email ( XXXX ) by a person named XXXX XXXX and said that my data was transferred to them from the careerbuilder website and that I was suitable for the position their offered. They had all my personal information that was in my submitted resume. He gave me a link to download XXXX Team and contact with HR XXXX XXXX who was supposed to give me information about work and interview. 

I did everything as they said. Then the HR sent me a couple of information via Team and a couple of tasks that I had to do. When everything was done, I was hired as a Data entry Clerk. HR said that they would send me all the necessary equipment and conduct 2 weeks of trainings. 

Then the HR sent me a check for {$800.00} per Email and told me to print it out and make a deposit to my account, which I did. Then they told me to transfer {$750.00} from this money to some company that should send me the equipment. {$50.00} was told me is a sight up bonus. When the money came to my account and everything seemed fine to me, only after that I transferred {$750.00} via XXXX, using the following data : XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ). 

Then HR said that there was not enough money for equipment and shipment and that they would send me another check in the amount of {$750.00}, which I also needed to transfer to the equipment supplier. 

I performed the same procedure as with the first check and only when the money came to my account, I led it to the recipient, but this time the recipient 's data was different. ( XXXX, XXXX XXXX ). When the money from the check became available, I transferred vie XXXX {$700.00} to this recipient. But the money was not transferred immediately, it was under a Bank review. Then the HR said that it was necessary to call the bank and say that I know who I would transfer and ask to allow the transaction. I did it and at the same time explained to the bank why I transfer the money. 

When the procedure was successful, I saw that my savings in the amount of XXXX were also missing from my account and I owed the bank {$290.00} and I realized that I was a victim of fraud. 

I immediately called the Bank of America and reported the fraud and answered a number of questions that I was asked. A bank employee said that the checks were fake, but it was strange how fake checks were accepted by the bank and money was credited to my account. 

At the moment, the issuing bank has sent a return to my bank for the Retune Item chargeback in the amount of XXXX. Bank of America said they would try to solve this problem, but after a few weeks of waiting, they sent me a letter stating that the bank had come to the conclusion that everything was done correctly on their part and the account would not be credited. In other words, for the action of a fraudster, I have to pay the debt myself. I think this is definitely unacceptable and unfair. 
In the hope of justice, I appeal to you. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

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 monetary relief