Consumer complaint received 2024-05-13
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Problem using a debit or ATM card
Company: Chime Financial Inc (FL)

I was provided a landlord listing of rental properties on XXXX by XXXX XXXX XXXX ( reputable government agency ) and was scammed out of {$600.00}. I applied for one of the properties provided and the landlord refused to show me the property. I am out of state moving from XXXX to XXXX, MA. So I'm not physically able to see properties myself except online but this property was not listed for rent! In fact none of the properties were listed for rent. I paid {$100.00} application fee and was told after I got approved that I needed to immediately pay a {$500.00} holding fee to take it off the market so no one else could rent it. I started asking questions about seeing the property and they finally scheduled the appointment for me to do a live virtual viewing of the property on XXXX at XXXX. But the night of XXXX I was contacted via text because they were apparently doing the application and wanted to know if I was going to sign in person or an e-signature? Of course I opted for the e-signature so I can start getting the process ready to also have them complete the RFTA ( request for tenancy approval ) packet so XXXX XXXX can start the process for the inspection. Well I was then told it will be a 10 % application fee of {$150.00} in order to complete this process. I then refused to pay and they refused to provide me with a lease. On XXXX when we were supposed to view the property they were making excuses about not wanting to do a virtual video and requested for me to physically be there. I had a broker I was previously working with to physically go to the property as a favor for me to do the virtual video. Only to find out that the property was completely under construction and not in any living condition any time soon! I am supposed to be moving in my new place by XXXX. I have several numbers and listings that are fraudulently being provided to Section XXXX recipients and we are being ripped off financially! This is an outrage and unacceptable! We should be protected from these types of predators! I have provided sensitive information to these people who won't pick up the phone and only will respond via text and emails! I also sent a text from a different number inquiring about the same property and they responded with the same message I originally received on XXXX. Saying the property is available it's a XXXX bed XXXX bath for {$3800.00} a month and security deposit is {$1500.00}. I immediately contacted my bank ( Chime ) after learning that I've been scammed out of {$600.00} paying for a service I never received and provided all documentation only for my dispute to be closed the same day because they found no unauthorized activity! During the time I filed my claim I told them I paid for a service I never received with proof from the merchant stating that my funds would be refunded upon request! Of course the merchant was a scammer that has an account with Chime who requested payment via pay anyone. Had I known this was not a landlord I was working with I would have never paid for an apartment that I never received! Consumers need to be protected from scammers using their Chime accounts to scam other customers! This is why I am filing a complaint because this operation needs to be thoroughly investigated to prevent other victims!