Consumer complaint received 2024-01-11
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Problem making or receiving payments
Company: FIFTH THIRD FINANCIAL CORPORATION (IN)

To Whom it may concern : Complaint against Fifth Third Case number - ( I can provide the case number if u need it ) I am placing a formal complaint against Fifth third bank. As a customer for years since XXXX at least. I have been quite troubled by their practices and so-called policies. Whenever I have a issue the bank never takes care of it or refuses to assist. For example, whenever I have a situation and I am trying to get my money back, they always deny the disputes and never help me as a customer. But this complaint is specifically to a issue I am dealing with. I am a Victim of Fraud. Months ago, my home flooded with sewage water for days and my construction to my bathroom was badly damaged. Ultimately I went looking for a handyman or contractor as they call them. I found one and he came to my home for an estimate. He appeared to be legitimate, he had a business card, he had photos on his phone with previous work that I was led to believe he did and he even stated he only requires half before jobs. A scammer normally ask for all the money for a service upfront. So this led me to believe that this contractor was actually genuine and authentic. Long story short I was scammed, the guy never came back home to start and complete the job after I paid my deposit of XXXX. I made a police report, filed a dispute with the bank, contacted the source online where I found the contractor and even attempted to get the money back from the scammer. I sent the bank all my documents they requested. I get a letter on XXXX stating that they denyed my dispute. So I called them because at this point I am beyond frustrated. It seems like they are never there to actually help the customer. I was in a conversation with a male from the dispute department. The call itself was troubling. For the most part I am pretty intelligent and I can tell when Im being lied to. The representative stating these comments 1. XXXX on their website notify people of potential scams and are they sure they want to send this money and do they know this person? 
2. We do not have information on why your dispute was denied The trouble with these statements was that I told the customer sercice that I never went on a XXXX website because I used XXXX through the banking online. I was always under the assumption that XXXX was just a safe service through the bank. I never knew they had a website or they are their own company. I stated to the representative that this guy appeared legimately and authentic. I hired a person for a job and most business owners these days require deposit through cash or XXXX. And I mean actually people who do business and not in anything illegal. My XXXX  whose a business owner with a shop also has people pay her cash XXXX  and credit card. So the bank cant assume that I did not know this. Because scammers get more and more intelligent daily. They appear more sopjiscated. The person that came to my house was covered in work clothes with paint all over him. So I truly felt I could trust him. I checked with XXXX and their site says they can help you with getting your money back if an imposter frauded you. The customer service bank lied to me because I said you mean to tell me my dispute got denied but you have no information, lets be honest with each other, that is not the truth. You are a bank and you have all my personal information as well as notes of anyone who accessed or worked on this case. The service than said yes thats pretty much why we denied your case because you are the one that sent the money. This made me mad because I said so you mean to tell me anyone who gets scmammed as a 53rd bank customer essentially they get their disputes all denied? He got confused and stumbled. What hurst me the most was I am a XXXX mother battling XXXX XXXX and all I wanted was my bathroom to get fixed because there is mold behind drywall. I have suffered because of this mentally and emotionally and now in therapy and to find out that my bank dont even have my back or care is quite disgusting. This isnt the first time and all I want is a resolution. I dont use XXXX  often but rather my family will send me money to help with bills but I just need help. Ive also sent a copy of what I sent to my bank and the case has all information provided. Even the approved police report. 



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This is the email I sent to the dispute team at my bank Fifth Third at Saturday XX/XX/XXXX Hi! ( I was told not to have any personal information in this email except for my case id with 53rd ). Few months ago, my home sewage backed up and my home was flooded. In the process, both of my bathrooms were damaged. The base walls were damaged and there was a wall that had to be cut out from behind my toilet. I have been trying to find contractors who specializes in this. Finally, On XX/XX/XXXX, I made a post on a group on XXXX called XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. I have been in this group for years and it is a group where members of the community can go and ask for recommendations, program assistance, or seeking individual for a job, or just anything. I have never had an issue with that group. Ive been in this group for years and didnt think anything negative. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, I made a post asking is there anyone who specializes in drywall and can afford the job I am seeking. My bathroom had flooded months back and my base walls were messed up. So a guy named XXXX XXXX XXXX sent me a message saying he can do this and contact him. Which I did, he responded rather quickly and came out of my home to get a closer look at the work needing done. He quoted me {$170.00} for painting, drywall, and fixing the baseboards. I texted okay and he was set to start on Thursday XX/XX/XXXX. Days prior to this, I XXXX  him half the money. Shortly after I sent him the money, well right after, I noticed he wasnt texting back, and my calls were going straight to voicemail which was unusual because he was always responsive. I then had an idea to call him from a block number and his phone rang. I knew then I was blocked and a victim of fraud. His number is XXXX and is still currently advertising that he can help. He has yet to return my calls or even return my phone. Ive attempted to retrieve my money but to no avail he refuses to answer. The work was never completed, and he never came back to my home to start or even finish the project. 
I contacted a XXXX XXXX off XXXX concerning this matter. XXXX XXXX is a administrator moderator for the XXXX XXXX support group where the initial contact of me and the induvial meeting. I contacted her to inform her that this member XXXX is a scammer and scamming people. XXXX XXXX apologize for the situation and stated she would alert the other moderators. I notice on XX/XX/XXXX that XXXX had posted his business in the group again attempting to solicit business from another unsuspecting victim. I immediately contacted the new victim XXXX XXXX and informed that individual off XXXX not to do business with XXXX because I was scammed and did not want the same thing to happen to them. I also made a police report of the fraud to XXXX XXXX XXXX via their complaint form. The case number is XXXX. I also contacted my brother-in-law XXXX to see if he can call XXXX to retrieve my money. My brother-in-law was then blocked. 
This situation has left me in a deep XXXX XXXX. As a XXXX  mother, I never thought things like this could happen. When he came to my home initially, he was dressed in handy man attire. I asked do you have any reviews or pictures to show your work. He showed me only XXXX pictures. I thought it was odd but again he appeared legit. It wasnt until I realized I was a victim of fraud that I searched for him via social media. On his XXXX page, I noticed the same XXXX pictures he showed me were on his page. I knew then that this picture was simply a ploy to look legit. He had no actual real work to show he was an actual contractor. Unfortunately, I have not eaten, slept and have been in tears. I really hope 53 can have my back and help me get my funds back. I will be sending pictures and screen shots in separate emails to show attempt contact, attempt to retrieve, and call logs, police department, and notifying the fb group of this fraudulent induvial. 
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