Consumer complaint received 2020-01-05
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: VA
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Domestic (US) money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
Citibank XX/XX/XXXX : - check was deposited in the amount of {$2400.00} on the condition that the check sender would be sent {$700.00} back in the form of gift certificates. 
- upon deposit, {$840.00} was immediately deposited into my account. 
-I contacted a Citibank representative on the Citibank applications online chat, and they told me that it was normal for the check to be deposited in varying amounts. 
- based upon this provided information and the newly updated balance, I considered the check valid, I completed my end of the transaction ; providing the sender with {$700.00} in the form of gift certificates from merchant, the XXXX corporation. 

On XX/XX/XXXX : - {$200.00} more was deposited into the checking account with Citibank, from the deposited check. 

On XX/XX/XXXX : - {$400.00} more was deposited into the checking account with Citibank, from the deposited check. 

On XX/XX/XXXX : - A second check was sent from the original sender, with the same conditions as before. Seeing that there were no issues with the first check, I deposited the second check in the amount of {$2400.00}. The check appeared to be valid, due to the fact that the check number had changed from the ending of XXXX to XXXX. Thus differentiating the two checks. 
- After depositing the checks, {$0.00} was immediately deposited into my checking account. 

On XX/XX/XXXX : - I was notified that my account with Citibank was suspended, and over drafted for an amount of - {$400.00}. 
- In the afternoon, I entered the XXXX, Virginia Citibank location - and spoke with banker who helped me contact XXXX XXXX, and it was determined that the check was indeed fraudulent. The Citibank Banker confirmed that the reason for my accounts suspension, was the initial fraudulent check. 
- The banker informed me that the best course of action, would be to contact the fraud department. 

On XX/XX/XXXX : - I was still confused about the pending check, and contacted the Citibank team. I called them as soon as I could, due to the fact that they were closed for business on Friday ( XX/XX/XXXX ) after my in-person meeting with the Citibank banker. 
- They informed me that my bank account would enter the negatives, and overdraft, should the second deposited check bounce. I told the representative, that based upon the information provided to me by the banker in-person, that this check would likely be fraudulent as well. She told me that no action could be taken until I contacted the fraud department when they next opened on Monday XX/XX/XXXX, at XXXX EST. 
- I told the representative to please make a note in my account, that I called, and the details of the situation that I provided. So that when the fraud department is contacted on Monday, they are aware of the situation. 
- I conducted independent research, and found that the best course of action would be to report this scam to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ). That is the most recent update regarding the situation, and I am now posting this to report as fraud and scam.

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