Consumer complaint received 2023-09-27
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service — Domestic (US) money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam — 
Company: Paypal Holdings, Inc (WI)

On XX/XX/XXXX I responded to a social media ad about an apartment by texting the number in the ad. I told them I was interested in the unit and they sent me a jotform application that I filled out and paid a {$50.00} application fee via Venmo to an account belonging to XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

I was then sent a letter via text message that XXXX XXXX XXXX approved me for the unit. 

I was then asked to send a security deposit and first month 's rent to keep the unit til I could view it the next day. This was {$1400.00} as the rent was XXXX as was the deposit. I was told the money was completely refundable if I didn't like the unit. 

I sent the money via Venmo to a XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX account. I was supposed to view the unit on XX/XX/XXXX. 

As I was new to the town where the unit was, I began looking online about the area around the complex. That was when I discovered that the complex was in fact owned by XXXX XXXX XXXX. The same unit was being advertised on multiple social media sites and groups, all with different phone numbers using the same photos. 

I then texted the number I had been dealing with stating that I wanted my money back and was no longer interested in the apartment. I was told that I had to wait until the morning before my refund could be processed. 

On the morning of XX/XX/XXXX, I was then told that I had to pay a cancellation fee of {$200.00} to get the money back. I was ok with this and told then to subtract it from the money I had already given and they then said that it had to be paid separately and there was no other way to receive my money back. 

I initially disputed the charges with my bank ( XXXX ) on XX/XX/XXXX. I paid this money via my debit card so I had to wait for the charges to post. My bank said they couldn't help me due to the charges being through Venmo. 

I then called Venmo on XX/XX/XXXX. I was told the case was being referred to an account specialist and that I would hear from them via my email associated with my Venmo account. On XX/XX/XXXX I filed a police report with my local police via the self report portal on their website. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, the account specialist emailed me back stating that they could not help me and I had to deal with the individual. I attempted to request the money back via the same Venmo account I had sent the money to, but the app said I was unable to do so. 

Also on XX/XX/XXXX the individual reached out to me pretending to be someone else with the clearly nonexistent XXXX XXXX XXXX stating that the {$200.00} cancellation fee was to " authorize '' the refund. I declined to do this since it was obviously another scam. 

I have screenshots of all transactions and messages received by this individual. Neither Venmo or my bank has asked for them as part of their " investigation ''. 

Since I have tried all other avenues to attempt to recoup these funds acquired via deception, I am writing to the CFPB because I believe that this transaction is covered by Regulation E of the Electronic Fund Transfers Act and the money should be refunded to me. 

Thank you