Consumer complaint received 2022-12-20
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: CA
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Mobile or digital wallet
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
I recently learned about I could have reported to XXXX what was happened back in XXXX. 
I was searching an XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and found a place in XXXX. Address : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX, XXXX. I visited the place but without knowing the property was not owned by the person I deal with. 
On XXXX early morning XXXX I talk to the scammer XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  about renting the place for 1~2 months. Rent was XXXX XXXX  monthly for a room. Security deposit {$500.00}. She asked to put down $ XXXX {$850.00}, total {$1300.00} as the first month payment. It ended up it was a scam. 

XX/XX/2021 @ XXXX, XXXX XXXX her husband " XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX to send me a contract. He provide a XXXX account : XXXX with name " XXXX XXXX '' for money transfer. I reviewed and signed the contract. 

XX/XX/2021 @ XXXX i made a XXXX XXXX {$1300.00} to his account and informed him. However, the find is on hold and they couldn't do anything about and provide me another account to try again. Then, by checking again the conversation and I realized it was a scam, unfortunately. 
I checked my bank account, the transaction was still pending. I thought I could stop it by reporting to XXXX and my bank for the red flag. I called everywhere and their credit card 24 hrs line. However, the credit card department could not do anything since it is a XXXX transfer with BOA. I was hoping to dispute if someone could have been reached, the fund could be on hold until further investigation. 

XX/XX/2021 @ XXXX my bank sent a confirmation email of money transfer completed. But I checked my bank transaction again, the fund was still pending. I kept trying to call/ email XXXX and XXXX XX/XX/2021 @ XXXX the scammer asked me to sent money to another XXXX account since their money was still on hold by bank. they wanted me to send to XXXX account : XXXX. Name " XXXX XXXX ''. I didn't. I was a but relieved that it didn't go through yet. I finally could have reached out the fraud department at business hour when they opened. 

I quickly spoke to Bank and XXXX. XXXX claimed they do not deal with this and told me to contact the bank. I spoke to fraud staff and pointed out the issue and said it was on hold that they could do something at least verify. I provide the scammer 's email, XXXX XXXX accounts and phone number. However, later on the day, the transaction went through to the scammer 's account. I called the bank and asked for a reverse but no help. Tried to ask the scammer to refund and was blocked. their account in XXXX  was deleted. The bank only told me it was a personal transfer and that they didn't have a liability. I asked if they could try to verify or report to the scammer 's bank. I got no answer. I was not contacted once by the bank for further information and update.They just told me to wait about 1 month. While waiting, I called and followed up, but didn't get any helpful advice. Not to mention, I just know about XXXX to report til now. 

I opened another dispute trying to get help. 

On XXXX, I received the mail from the bank. The statement said there's no error in the transaction and the claim was not approved. I reported while the fund was still on hold. It seemed like it was meaningless by providing all the information and evidence. The other letter was notified that my other case is a duplicate so it was canceled. 
In the mail it said it's a courtesy to research my inquiry with the other party in an attempt to recover the fund and it took up to 45 days. 

Eventually, I was not contacted by any party. I called the bank to ask for status and got the same answer. 
I am very disappointed and felt my bank didn't do anything. I have my savings, my home loan, and my business account all with Bank of America. With my husband, we have been clients for 30 years. But it meant nothing to them. I wish they can sort something out and give my credit back. I wish to spoke out even though it was 18 months ago. It has left a mark on my side.

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