Consumer complaint received 2017-02-15
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: MA
Product: Bank account or service
Sub-product: Other bank product/service
Issue: Deposits and withdrawals

Complaint:
I was applying for a XXXX job on XXXX on XXXX of 2016. On the last week of XXXX a family reached out to me by the name of " XXXX XXXX '' to hire me as their XXXX for their XXXX. Although, I was surprise that they wanted to hire me without meeting me first. I knew I still had to meet the family first eventually. XXXX told me she was XXXX and her husband also. The only communication they said that they could do with me is texting but no calling. And I respected that. So throughout XXXX we were planning on meeting with each other. But for some strange reason everytime I would schedule a day to meet, they either could n't make it or show up. They told me that they were from XXXX and that they were moving to XXXX by the XXXX of XXXX. But they still kept postponing our meet up date. So while I was waiting for their availability in the process, they wanted me to give them a favor for their child. In my my mind I did n't think anything of it, I wanted to show a nice gesture to the family. So I agreed to help. Two weeks ago XXXX sent a check to me of {$3500.00} for me to cash in my bank and to deposit the funds at a Bank of America account to pay a toy seller for their child. XXXX stated she wanted to purchase some toys and a car seat for her child when they arrived to XXXX. At this point they still had n't arrived from XXXX So I did as she stated. I went to my XXXX Bank to see if I can cash it but the tell had told me I had to wait five business days for the check to clear, which was XXXX XXXX. I waited till XXXX XXXX and I withdrew {$3300.00} at this point because XXXX had contacted me that same day, and stated I could keep the remainder {$200.00} in my account for helping her. So I thought that was really kind of her. I then deposited {$3300.00} to the Bank of America account that she provided me with. It was not till three days later when I saw my personal bank account at XXXX Bank that went negative {$3500.00} and I was hit with a {$5.00} fee on top of that. My bank then notified me that it was a bad check and the check had bounced. I told them that I had no idea it was a bad check and I wanted to pursue a claim for a refund. They stated I could n't pursue XXXX because if I had n't withdrawn {$3300.00} I would 've receive a refund. I really upset because it was n't my fault. This was the first time that ever happened to me. So I immediately went to my local police station and filed a report. I then went to the Bank of America to see if I can file a claim there and for them to trace the account. They said no but they took down my information for further investigation, but they refused to tell me anything. I also sent a copy of the police report to the police department in the same town where the Bank of America was located. At this point I would like Bank of America to provide a refund and trace the account that I desposited the funds into. It 's clearly a fake account and I do n't understand how Bank of America allowed a hacker to enter into their system. I suffered a MAJOR loss and it 's not fair! No one should have to go through that and for that scammer to get away like that. That 's ridiculous! Anyone can be a victim of this tragedy.

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