Consumer complaint received 2024-01-16
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Deposits and withdrawals
Company: TRUIST FINANCIAL CORPORATION (VA)

Details of an Elaborate Scam Involving Check Fraud On Wednesday, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX I was approached by XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX from XXXX XXXX XXXX. He informed me that my resume on XXXX and I had piqued his interest and he believed I would be an excellent fit for a data entry role with flexible hours. He advised me to contact XXXX XXXX for an interview. 
Following his advice, I reached out to XXXX and underwent various procedures. The interview took place on XXXX XXXX, a platform that XXXX had suggested I download. During the interview, XXXX asked me about my background and subsequently offered me the job. 
She informed me that I would receive a check to purchase the necessary equipment for the job and that training would follow. Two checks were deposited into my account. For the first check, amounting to {$2000.00}, I proceeded to cash the first check using my mobile banking app. 
Next, I was directed to contact XXXX XXXX via XXXX and send him the remaining {$1500.00} as a friends and family payment, which resulted in an additional fee of {$43.00}. XXXX assured me that I would be reimbursed for this fee. Once I confirmed that the money had been sent, she issued another check for {$2000.00}. 
However, the funds did not immediately appear in my bank account. My bank subsequently contacted me, alerting me that my account was under review for potential fraudulent activity. This occurred after the first check had cleared but during the processing of the second check. 
During this time, Im uncertain whether the XXXX transaction went through, but I do know that the XXXX transaction for {$1500.00} was successful. This resulted in a deficit of over {$1000.00} in my account and recurring overdraft fees. My bank account is currently locked, and Ive been informed that it will remain so until the deficit is cleared. Only then will they proceed with an investigation. This has left me in a precarious situation. 
The initial check bore the routing confirmation number XXXX. However, this was subsequently removed from my account due to the check being deemed invalid. It was a disheartening revelation to learn that the check was, in fact, counterfeit. This unfortunate incident has further complicated my predicament. 
Under their guidance, I executed an email transaction of {$500.00}. The recipient of this transaction was identified as XXXX XXXX, reachable on XXXX XXXX. This particular transaction was distinguished by the reference number XXXX, serving as a unique identifier in this intricate web of financial exchanges. This added yet another layer to the unfolding narrative of this complex situation. 
I was instructed to execute a transaction via XXXX, amounting to {$1500.00}, to a certain XXXX XXXX. This transaction was to be conducted through XXXX, with the recipients email being XXXX, under the name XXXX XXXX Upon completion of this transaction, I was to provide XXXX with a confirmation code. The transaction bore the ID number XXXX and was for the sum of {$1500.00}. 
A few days later, on XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX, XXXX inquired about the status of the XXXX payment. I informed her that it was still pending. She then communicated to me that the software vendor required additional materials for a duration spanning six months to a year. To facilitate this, she would send a check for {$2700.00} to my account, which I was to deposit and use to pay for these items. 
Upon receiving an alert from my bank, Truist, I informed her that the deposit of {$2700.00} had been received. However, the funds would not be available until the next business day. Despite this, I proceeded to deposit the check into my account. 
XXXX later requested another screenshot of the XXXX payment, which had not gone through. Similarly, the XXXX transaction was also unsuccessful as my bank did not approve it. Despite this, my bank locked my account and approved the transaction anyway, resulting in my account going into deficit. 
I contacted my bank and was informed that the checks were fraudulent. When I relayed this information to XXXX, she insisted they were not. Since then, I have not heard back from her. I informed her that the checks were fraudulent and that my bank account was locked, but to no avail. This has left me in a precarious situation, grappling with the consequences of these fraudulent transactions. I was told by Truist Bank customer service representatives that my account would not be charged since the account was frozen meaning no one would have access to it including myself. I spoke with the supervisor who ensured the same thing. After the money was deducted, I called the fraud department and they said they would not investigate anything until I paid XXXX. I followed up with several emails to the fraud department and I went to the local Truist and provided all the information. They would not provide the local representative with any information regarding my account. Now they are threatening to send my information to XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX  to further complication my financial situation if I dont pay them.