Consumer complaint received 2023-07-26
Company: FIFTH THIRD FINANCIAL CORPORATION
State: NC
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Problem with a lender or other company charging your account
Sub-issue: Transaction was not authorized

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX, my checking account at Fifth Third bank was assessed for two charges I did not authorize- one was for {$6.00} and the other was for {$130.00}. They were for XXXX and XXXX in XXXX, respectively. I do not know who this company is, I never ordered anything from them, and I never received anything from them. The phone numbers for them listed on my bank statement do not appear to be valid as no one answers my calls. 

Within a few days, I notified Fifth Third bank by visiting their branch on XXXX XXXX in XXXX XXXX and notified them these were not valid transactions. The bank employee took my information and a few days later I received letters indicating I received provisional credit for both transactions. I subsequently received one letter stating that the {$6.00} would not be charged, but that through information they received from the merchant, they determined the {$130.00} was valid and my account would be debited. 

I then returned to the bank, and asked them to please send me a copy of the transaction and proof that I ordered it and it was delivered. They failed to do so. After several months of letters back and forth, and repeated visits to the same Fifth Third Bank, I finally received a copy of a print out in XX/XX/XXXX showing that the company charged {$130.00} for a Fitness Bench. I did not order a fitness bench, have never done an internet search for a fitness bench and communicated this to the bank. In addition, no one visited me during this time who would have had access to my debit card. 

In XX/XX/XXXX, I also asked XXXX at Fifth Third why I had not yet received a copy of either the shipper 's information or proof of delivery, as I was promised, and he advised that they were not required to obtain this from the merchant. I told him that I am baffled they can charge me for something, and not provide supporting documentation. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I spoke to XXXX at Fifth Third again, and then his supervisor. He stated that they determined the charged was valid, based on information from the merchant. He affirmed that they did not have to provide me shipping data, and said they would reopen the case if additional information was provided to them. I told him I had no data, as I never ordered this, do not know who the vendor is, and never received a shipment from them for either of the charges. 

I asked if Fifth Third was willing to originally ( in XXXX ) refund the small amount because it was a low amount, and he agreed with my statement. I then asked if contacting the FTC or CFPB was the next step, and he said I could do that. 

I am XXXX XXXX XXXX and do not use a fitness bench. I have limited mobility and vision. I assure you that I have no need for a fitness bench. I have no children who would have ordered this equipment. 

On XX/XX/XXXX I received the most recent communication from Fifth Third again stating that the merchant confirmed the transaction was valid. It is not valid, I can not contact the company and I can not provide a non-existing order or any shipping data to them because they do not exist. I am asking your good help in resolving this matter.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief