Consumer complaint received 2020-12-04
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service — Mobile or digital wallet
Issue: Fraud or scam — 
Company: HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK, THE (OH)

I was scammed out of {$1600.00} on XX/XX/XXXX by a fraudster using XXXX XXXX as their means of taking my money. I was attempting to add my XXXX debit card to my XXXX XXXX and when I started having trouble, I went online to get XXXX XXXX  help/support. The number that I dialed turned out to be a scammer that claimed they were verifying transactions to and from my granddaughter, through an app that he had me download XXXX. She was one of my contacts on my XXXX XXXX account. After he ( XXXX ) tried transferring large amounts to and from my granddaughter, she texted me asking me if this was a fraud. I told her no, because I called them. Little did I know that the number listed online is not for XXXX XXXX. After attempting to transfer a total of {$1600.00}, and still being told to hold on, I told XXXX I had to go. My granddaughter took screenshots of all the text messages he used to transfer my money to other accounts of people not in my XXXX XXXX account, complete strangers. After I hung up from XXXX, he sent me a text telling me to call him back when I was ready to resume at XXXX. My granddaughter told me that as he kept her on hold, he told her that if she worked with him, he would give her {$50.00}, and would keep her info to use her later. When I tried to call him back, I got a recording saying number is no longer in service. I then tried calling the main number again, and got XXXX. As I was talking to XXXX, XXXX kept calling and texting me, ( those texts are attached ) telling me not to use XXXX because he would steal my money. At that time I hung up on XXXX, and immediately called my bank. Because of Covid, it took hours for me to be able to report it to Huntington, and XXXX. 

I sent proof to both banks, and XXXX gave me a provisional credit of {$190.00}. There were 2 transactions ; {$99.00} and {$190.00}, total {$270.00}. Huntington has yet to do anything about it. There were 4 transactions with them ; {$550.00}, {$99.00}, {$490.00}, {$190.00}, total {$1300.00}. I contacted XXXX XXXX by email, and they will not do anything for me. Said it was out if their hands because I used the telephone number online, and they dont have a telephone number for support. I was told today, that my request was being denied by both banks and XXXX was taking their provisional credit back. 

That money was the end of what I had saved from the Pandemic funds that I received because I lost my job XX/XX/XXXX due to Covid. I dont have a job now and my unemployment will run out the end if XXXX. My mother passed XX/XX/XXXX and I took over her mortgage. I dont have money to replace what I lost due to a scammer!!! This has hit me very hard at a time when everyone I know is suffering monetarily. There ought to be something that can replace what I lost. 

I have phone numbers, screenshots, names, etc. Why cant I get any help retrieving what was stolen from me? I feel very XXXX right now, but XXXX XXXX should have a warning on their app about not using numbers online for support. That information came after the fact!!!! 

Please respond as soon as possible! This is very important to me. Thank you! 












Sent from my XXXX