Consumer complaint received 2022-09-06
Company: PNC Bank N.A.
State: AL
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Domestic (US) money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
To : Consumer Financial Protection Bureau XX/XX/2022 PNC Bank Attn : XXXX XXXX Executive of Client Relations From : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Alabama XXXX Re : Complaint : XXXX PNC Reference XXXX XXXX Page 1 of 2 Dear XXXX XXXX XXXX would like to clarify some points of misrepresentation in your XX/XX/XXXX, 2022 response to complaint # XXXX. These are as Follows : 1. To clarify XXXX XXXX XXXX on my behalf made a wire transfer to an account holder at PNC Bank and were paid for their services in so doing. 

2. At no time did I ever state or represent the fact that I was a signer or account holder on any PNC account.

3. My reporting of this fraud and scam involving a PNC account was done the same day as to which the fraud was committed and discovered. FYI 1 day after the wire transfer was initiated. And seek your help.

4. XXXX XXXX Bank on my behalf tried to recall the wire transfer and at no time did I personally ever request PNC Bank for a refund. 

XXXX. All actions taken by me were performed by a XXXX XXXX Agent acting on my behalf per their procedures and actions in reporting Fraud. 

It appears that PNC Bank per your letter has no intention of investigating this fraud that was committed against me by an account holder of your Bank- PNC Bank .

PNC Bank has direct knowledge and information involving the accounts used to commit fraud involved yet failed to act accordingly when notified by investigating a act of fraud. 

Update involving Fraud : The following information is being provided to PNC Banks to validate the fact that Wire Transfer Fraud has occurred. Working with the XXXX XXXX XXXX Office located in XXXX Alabama XXXX. 
Lead Detective XXXX XXXX XXXX # XXXX. The District Attorney in XXXX has issued a warrant for the arrest ( No Holds ) for an XXXX Female in the XXXX Texas area. 
She has been positively identified using PNC Bank video surveillance footage as the person who made the withdrawal of the funds transmitted via wire transfer whose origination at XXXX XXXX XXXX Location in XXXX, Alabama to a PNC Bank location in XXXX, Wisconsin. The withdrawal took place in XXXX Texas. 

Here are my questions for PNC Banks Loss Prevention Departments and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.. 



1. Why isnt it the responsibility of PNC Bank to investigate fraud committed in wire transfers when notified an act of fraud has occurred?

Questions Continued : Page 2.

2. With regard to Wire Transfers using XXXX XXXX and PNC means and methods to conduct wire transfer service for bank customers and being paid for their services is this a blind process with no controls or failsafes to combat or minimize fraud? 

For your Consideration At the time of transfer my Banking professional XXXX XXXX XXXX in XXXX Alabama was asked to place a 48 hour hold on the funds- to prevent the funds being withdraw prematurely to allow my wife and I time to drive to XXXX Wisconsin to verify vehicle was as represented. 

XXXX XXXX said XXXX XXXX cant do that. I asked if he could verify the recipient banking info and he said he could not do that either. XXXX XXXX noted the paperwork for the funds to be transmitted looked legit. 
XXXX XXXX noted, If a recall was needed it would need to be done in a couple of hours after the wire transfer was sent, Opinion : With regard to question 1. I believe this should be the banks responsibility to work together to investigate and prevent FRAUD. They have branches and locations all over the county and working together to protect their customers interests. And if it is not their responsibility to protect their customers and investigate fraud committed using their means and methods something needs to change, 2. When doing wire transfers time of the essence in most cases involving purchases. Why cant a consumer place holds on funds or detail instructions of dispersal as part of the wire transfer transaction? Common sense dictates in allowing holds and ( or ) instructions related to a wire transaction would eliminate fraud in which the consumer needs time to vet a purchase in an effort to safeguard their funds. 

XXXX. In this case PNC seems to be the bank of choice for these scammers. This has not been the first time according to the former Owner of XXXX XXXX Wi. and until these criminals are brought to justice it will continue to happen. Without requiring Banks to investigate Fraud committed using their means and methods will proliferate those who continue to prey on those who intentions are above board. Banking Institutions have direct access to account information and the person ( s ) or parties who commits these acts. 
Banks have much more resources than their consumers to investigate and fight fraud. 

In closing, XXXX XXXX and PNC Bank are at fault. Wire Transfers from One Bank institution to Another Banking Institution should be safe. Because of their means and methods and or lack of controls designed to minimize fraud. I have been harmed financially.

I believe it is only fair that I be compensated for the amount of this transaction {$11000.00} and PNC Bank and XXXX XXXX be held accountable for paying it back to me. 

While the amount in questions may seem small to these 2 banking institutions it represents a year of my life as a XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. And I now know and understand PNC Bank failed to act when being notified of fraud committed by an account holder of their bank committed against me. 

PNC Bank and XXXX XXXX should pick up this investigation and see it through until and prosecute those responsible for committing wire fraud using the banking systems of these 2 Companies.

In so doing they will know who the culprits are that abuse their system and possibly uncover flaws in the services and their practices to safeguard assets for all American Consumers. 

Respectfully, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation