Consumer complaint received 2023-03-16
Product: Debt collection — Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: Apelles, LLC (IL)

I was recently scammed on XXXX, for a false job opportunity that was given to me. The " company '' sent out a check for me to deposit to get supplies for remote work. The funds were deposited through my mobile banking app through XXXX bank on XX/XX/2023. I received a message on XX/XX/2023, stating that the funds were available. I was told by the " employer '' that the funds should be available and asked for me to confirm. I did confirm they were deposited into my account, and from there he offered for the " company '' to overnight a laptop instead, which required me to send the funds back. I did this through XXXX on my mobile banking app and cash app, between XX/XX/XXXX and XXXX. 
On the morning of XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX XXXX, I did check my mobile banking app and noticed the negative balance, which let me know I have been scammed. At XXXX XXXX central time, I called XXXX bank to let them know about the scam and to inform them I had filed a police report, a report with the XXXX XXXX XXXX, and I spoke with the hiring leader of the actual company, whom the scammers posed as. He also described my situation and said that this is a going thing and they are working with XXXX to resolve the issue. XXXX XXXX still chose to close out my bank account and required me to pay XXXX dollars within thirty days or set up a payment plan after being scammed and reporting the scam. 

I did file a complaint with the CFPB against XXXX bank on XX/XX/2023. I would also like to make note that the CFPB is not the only one I made a report to concerning this scam. I first spoke with the FDIC and they told me to get in contact with other bureaus and commissions as well. Seeing as though I was scammed, I should not have to owe any money to XXXX because these are insured funds. I also contacted the office of the comptroller of the currency and the federal trade commission and submitted the scam that I fell victim to. Although, these commissions and bureaus do not resolve reports on behalf of individuals. They use reports to investigate and bring cases against fraud and scams. Job scams are a big reoccurrence within days society because of the financial crisis we are all going through. I am not the only one that has fallen victim to this, our society is going through major layoffs within the tech company and other major companies as well. I work in the service industry as a personal trainer, however, a lot of clients are going through rough financial times. Which affects my business/ability to work. All I wanted to do was get a new job to help fund my education for XXXX XXXX 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I did receive a message from the CFPB in regards to a response from XXXX bank in regards to my original complaint. I was notified that they believed that I still owed them money. In that letter, they appointed me to Apelles Collections. I did call them and was told the debt had been in collections since XX/XX/XXXX. I was told by XXXX that a letter was sent on that date, however, I was not sent anything by mail. If I was sent anything I would have tried my best to dispute it like my previous attempts, I do strongly believe that as a victim of a scam, I should be helped and encouraged in this situation rather than held accountable for XXXX  ' actions. XXXX did tell me he will reach out to XXXX bank in regards to this matter because I did report it as a scam. I also showed proof through my various emails, messages, and police reports. I was scammed and did report to XXXX bank as soon as I knew. I also went through the correct channels to report the scam. I was also contacted by the company the scammers posed as and received confirmation that this is an ongoing scam and they are working with XXXX to stop this from happening again.