Consumer complaint received 2016-07-13
Company: UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION
State: FL
Product: Money transfers
Sub-product: Domestic (US) money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
On XXXX XXXX 2016, I had {$86000.00} stolen from me via wire instructions emailed to me by Attorney XXXX XXXX from her business email XXXXXXXXXXXX and her business XXXX in XXXX XXXX, Florida. These funds were the balance to close on my purchase of a condominium and I had hired XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX to handle the closing. From XXXX XXXX 2016 through XXXX XXXX 2016 XXXX and I and others in her office exchanged more that 30 emails regarding the closing via the email address she shares with her employees, XXXXXXXXXXXX. 

As arranged with XXXX, I arrived at her office on XXXX XXXX 2016 to complete the closing. XXXX met me at the door and asked if I had wired the funds. When I informed her I had, XXXX told me right away she 'd been hacked by some foreign criminal in XXXX, XXXX, or XXXX and that this happens all the time. I was in shock. 

On XXXX 's advice I went with her to the XXXX XXXX Police Department, where she described herself as the victim. I made it clear to the police that it was my funds that were stolen not hers. On XXXX XXXX 2016, I submitted a wire recovery with USAA to the receiving bank, XXXX XXXX XXXX, but as of today there is no reply to this. 

On XXXX XXXX 2016, when I asked XXXX about reporting this to her insurance, XXXX stated to me that her insurance will not cover wire fraud so she will not report it. I know that if she had reported it, there is at least some likelihood the insurance would have helped to resolve the issue, but XXXX stated she would not report it. 

Also on XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX, advised me she was willing to resolve the issue and offered me XXXX % of the lost funds and to take a XXXX % ownership in the property. Alternatively she offered me a loan for XXXX % of the balance so that I could close. She also offered me the funds to close but stated that any valuation in the property value when I sell would go to her. She refused to put any of these offers in writing. When I told her that I felt incapable of negotiating with her, a real estate attorney, she told me if I get an attorney to negotiate for me, then she will get an attorney and implied that she will not cooperate in resolving the issue. 

On XXXX XXXX, My attorney demanded a copy of her malpractice insurance which her attorney delivered today ( XXXX XXXX ). I understand that the malpractice insurance has an effective date of XXXX XXXX 2016 indicating XXXX may have been uninsured while she was assisting me on XXXX XXXX 2016. This is grossly negligent and puts her clients at risk. 

I was acting in good faith dealing with a title agency owned my a Florida Real Estate Attorney who should have protections so customers do n't sloe their life savings like I have. It does n't seem fair that this title agency can just walk away from this failure of hers and that I suffer the loss. I need your help. Thank you. 

XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, FL XXXX XXXX : XXXX Email : XXXXXXXXXXXX

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation