Consumer complaint received 2018-10-02
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: TX
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Domestic (US) money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
I was selling furniture on XXXX and had a buyer for it. He sent me a cashiers check for a larger amount than the offer for the furniture. The buyer told me that the extra money would be for the people picking it up. The cashiers check was for {$2300.00} vs. the amount for the couch of {$250.00}. I went to the bank on XX/XX/XXXX thinking that if the check was not valid, they would not cash it and vice versa. I went to the Bank of America branch in XXXX XXXX, CA and they cashed it in full for me as I was to give cash to the movers picking up the furniture. The buyer than told me there was a change in plans and the movers needed the money before scheduling the move, so I transferred {$2000.00} via XXXX that same evening. I realized later that evening that this was part of a scam and I called the fraud department for Bank of America and had no luck. I went to two different branches and they told me that if the cashiers check turns out to be fraudulent, I would be responsible for the funds. What made me upset about Bank of America is that they were easily and quickly able to identify that the cashiers check was not legitimate as it was missing some information, but the lady that cashed the check the day before did not catch it. They also told me that Bank of America would be quick to discontinue the relationship that I have had with them as a customer for 9 years. The check has proven to be insufficient and my account sits at - $ 2,000+. I have filed a report with the police department, the federal trade commission, and have voiced my situation with BOA a few times. They refuse to help me during this time and made it clear that I was responsible for the money. I do not feel valued nor protected as their customer, and am disgusted at the inconsistent training of their tellers. Had the man I spoke with the very next morning been the one to receive the cashiers check the day before, he would have caught this errors, or had the teller been trained correctly in identifying fraud checks like he was able to, I would not be in half of the situation I am now. I am now being harassed by the supposed buyer, have been through loops to get this resolved or any help, and am furthering this process by reporting to the internet crime complaint center. I mention the steps that I am taking so that you can understand that I was a victim of fraud and did not know this until after cashing the check and transferring to them unfortunately. I am trying every source that I know to help rectify the situation, and BOA will simply not help nor protect me in any way. I have attached pictures of the cashier 's check and have further documentation via text messages and emails regarding all communication between myself and the fraudulent buyer, as well as the email that they had my transfer the money to. I can easily supply this communication from texts and emails when requested, as this is captured through multiple screen shots.

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