Consumer complaint received 2022-07-05
Company: ALLY FINANCIAL INC.
State: CO
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Mobile or digital wallet
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
I was looking for a new job and had sent in an application over XXXX for a remote data entry position. 

XX/XX/2022 file : email XXXX - interview.pdf I received an email with the subject line, " DATA ENTRY CLERK INTERVIEW '' for a company called XXXX XXXX. I looked up the company and found it to be a legitimate business so I continued with the interview process. I was asked to complete an interview assessment online. The link is still active : https : XXXX. 

XX/XX/2022 file : email XXXX - interview.pdf I received another email saying I was successfully selected and the hiring and onboarding process would be completed over XXXX. I was given a XXXX ID to contact if I needed to schedule with a person from HR. 

XX/XX/2022 files : XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, email XXXX - offer letter.pdf I messaged the given XXXX ID and was put in touch with the XXXX name of XXXX, XXXX. We went thru the duties of the job, the benefits, how the rest of onboarding would go, the offer letter, and the supplies I would be sent. I was emailed an offer letter and returned it with a signature and other documents I was asked for. I would receive supplies ( computer, printer, phone, etc ) after being sent checks which I would then send the funds back. I was told, " Note that the reasons why we send you the funds are to ensure a good working relationship between employer and employee, to observe your dedication and how well you follow instructions and most importantly because of a receipt of payment will be needed upon arrival of the items to enable you claim them! 

Once you receive the check you are to have it deposited into your account. The funds will be credited and available the following day for you to withdraw and make purchase of the working items. Once the funds is available, you will be referred to a trusted vendor for purchase of the items which will be delivered to your doorstep by the vendor/shipper. '' I would then report back the next day to begin this process. 

XX/XX/2022 files : XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, email XXXX - checks for mobile deposit.pdf, deposit confirmation XXXX I was told I would be sent checks thru email which I would then XXXX XXXX into my account. I was sent a check to deposit of {$950.00}, which I did. I got a confirmation for that and sent the confirmation over XXXX. I said that it was pending approval and we were set to talk the next day. 

XX/XX/2022 files : XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, email XXXX - checks for mobile deposit.pdf, deposit confirmation XXXX, zelle - marcella.png Because of the check confirmation I expected the {$950.00} would show up in my account in a day or XXXX so I continued in the process in the meantime. I was told to send {$850.00} to XXXX XXXX, XXXX, over XXXX to pay for a XXXX. This would leave {$100.00} ( $ XXXX $ XXXX {$100.00} ) as a sign on bonus for me to keep. I had enough funds to cover this before the check was deposited so I went through with the payment, which was confirmed on the other end. I was then sent another email, in the same thread, with a second {$950.00} check to deposit into my account. I deposited the check and received the confirmation so I expected there would be another {$950.00} in my account in the next few days, tho it was pending approval. We were set to speak the next day. 

XX/XX/2022 files : XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, deposit confirmation - XXXX, email XXXX - checks for mobile deposit.pdf, email XXXX - funds availability.pdf I was asked if the second check 's funds of {$950.00} was available in my account. I was still expecting them to come thru in a few days, for a total of {$1900.00}. I was able to move some funds around so I had {$950.00} to use for the next step of the process. I was told to send this {$950.00} to XXXX XXXX, XXXX, over XXXX. I sent the money and it was confirmed to be sent. Next I would receive a third check to deposit into my account in order to purchase supplies for the job. The check came in on the same thread as the XXXX times before. I deposited the check and received a confirmation. I was told that we would speak later for further updates. 

Later that day I received an email from Ally Bank saying that the funds from the deposit of this day were " subject to an extended hold because we have confidential information that indicates that the check may not be paid. If the check is not paid, we'll notify you by mail. '' I also opened XXXX of the same emails that were sent on XX/XX/2022 saying the same thing about the first two deposits of {$950.00}. I realized I was scammed. I called Ally Bank to report the scam and was told the Fraud department would work on my case. 

XX/XX/2022 - XX/XX/2022 files : XXXX - XXXX I filed a report with XXXX. I called Ally to report this as a scam and dispute the XXXX outgoing payments of {$850.00} and {$950.00}. 

XX/XX/2022 files : XXXX XXXX XXXX attempted to contact me multiple times, I asked for my money back over a phone call and the call ended. 

XX/XX/2022 files : decision letters.pdf I was sent XXXX letters from Ally which had the results of the investigation. They concluded that, " no error occurred and the disputed transaction is considered authorized because : The disputed transaction was completed with a merchant with whom you have an established relationship. 
As a result, the transaction will remain posted to your account. You have a right to request a copy of the information that we used in making our decision. '' XX/XX/2022 - XX/XX/2022 files : email XXXX - locked account.pdf Over these days I had calls with Ally bank due to being sent multiple emails saying that my account had been restricted. The final time I called to talk to Ally, I asked for XXXX things. The first was to get a copy of the information that was used in the decision making, the second was why I still couldn't access my account. I can not access my account at all at this point due to a decision being made if my account will be closed or not. I was told nothing about getting a copy of that information.

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