Consumer complaint received 2023-07-03
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: TX
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Domestic (US) money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
I was offered a job on XX/XX/2023 as a remote clerical assistant from a company called XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. I received an email, and underwent through an interview that same day. The interviewer asked me to install an app on my phone called XXXX, which works like XXXX, however, we did not call during this interview, and chatted through text instead. The interviewer 's name, although is most likely a facade/pseudonym was XXXX XXXX XXXX The number I needed to use in order to contact/add her was XXXX XXXX XXXX, however, the number is not registered. 

She talked me through the process, and what my duties were to be, and after consideration, I was hired onto the team. I was sent a link to their site, and was promised a high compromise in pay between {$21.00} and {$25.00}. She would then tell me I would need very specific hardware, like an XXXX XXXX, a printer, a desk, software -- very necessary things in order to do such a job. There was an odd one she mentioned, like a " XXXX XXXX bar-code printer and cards ''. Of course, I didn't have all of these, and assumed she would be sending this equipment, but she instead told me she would be sending me a check for {$6600.00} in order to buy the necessary equipment, as well as an included {$250.00} sign on bonus. The check was mailed out on Tuesday, XX/XX/2023, and arrived the next day on Wednesday, XX/XX/2023 via XXXX. As a matter of fact, I still have the letter the check came in. I deposited the check on the day it arrived after work, with the full amount of {$6600.00} being in my account the next day on Thursday, XX/XX/2023. From here, I was told by XXXX I would be purchasing equipment from several company authorized vendors, as she stated I would be getting custom equipment with my, and the company 's name on them. The first transaction was going to be sent to a XXXX XXXX XXXX via XXXX for {$1500.00}. This would be done through her email of XXXX. Through my bank, as Chase is partnered with XXXX, I could not send more than {$500.00} to new/unknown recipients. I informed XXXX this would be an issue, and sent the money. Chase called me quickly thereafter to inform me, and confirm that I would like this payment to go through. I agreed, letting them know this was for a new remote job opportunity I was currently engaging in. I asked XXXX if she would confirm with XXXX that she got the money, but she told me to disregard the payment, since they 'wanted me to start as soon as possible ', and would instead request me to withdraw {$5800.00} in cash in order to mail to their approved vendors. At this point, as my mom is a banker who was helping me through this, advised me that no legitimate company deals in cash through transactions. By this point, I caught onto the scam, and called her out, saying it was awfully fish, and very scam-like that I would need to send cash to a business. She quickly turned face, and gave me a sob story of being XXXX, and how transparent she was during the entire process. I did not hear back from XXXX after this day ( Thursday XX/XX/2023 ). 

Once I was home from work, I looked up the business, and attempted to call the number that popped up on XXXX, but was instead met with a man who only spoke XXXX. I tried calling XXXX, but as previously stated, the number simply isn't registered. I then contacted XXXX XXXX through the email I was given, and began to talk to her. Unfortunately, she was also victim to this scam, and used my {$500.00} she received to send to a bitcoin address, as she was also promised a job offer. However, like I had told her, I was demanding my money back, since it was my money that she used during this scam. She told me, the scammers are the ones who owe me money, but as I kept telling her, she was using my own money, and therefore, she owes me {$500.00}. 

Unfortunately, however, Chase has denied this request of refund on the grounds that I have approved/authorized the payment through XXXX, despite not only the evidence of a fraudulent check being processed, and returned, but even notifying one of the employees physically at my local branch. I have also filed a report with the FBI, FTC, and even the banking commission in order to receive the money lost.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation