Consumer complaint received 2022-07-02
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Problem with a lender or other company charging your account — Transaction was not authorized
Company: PNC Bank N.A. (PA)

Good Evening, Today on XX/XX/2022 at approximately XXXX I received a call from a XXXX XXXX XXXX fictitious individual ) claiming to be a representative from PNC Bank . This fictitious individual called from the PNC Bank number XXXX. I asked the reason for his call and he stated that my account was compromised as two suspicious transactions had occurred on Thursday XX/XX/2022 approximately at XXXX in the amount of {$1000.00} and immediately thereafter at approximately XXXX on the same date another transaction of {$1500.00} was withdrawn. XXXX XXXX ( who he referred himself as ) stated that his badge number was XXXX. He asked if I knew anyone from XXXX, Illinois and I told him I did not. He went on to state, that in order to recover my funds I would need to log onto my PNC online banking account. I told him that I was proceeding to travel to my local PNC branch located at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ; XXXX, PA XXXX. 

The fraudster tells the member they will receive a text containing details of a XXXX transfer and I must authorize the transaction under the guise that it is for reversing the fraudulent debit card transaction ( s ). He called me back at approximately XXXX to inquire if I was able to log onto my online banking account as I had difficulty given I don't use this feature. He provided me with 10-digit reference code submitted via text at number XXXX at approximately XXXX ( please refer to attachment PNC Bank XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Code : XXXX ). In doing so, {$1000.00} was transferred to a " XXXX XXXX. '' The XXXX XXXX is shown as complete. He proceeded in telling me that I needed to transfer the {$1500.00} but could not do so when it had exceeded the limit and the transactions of {$420.00} left in my checking account had failed as I had reached the limit ( please refer to the attachment of XXXX activity ). 

While in route to my bank at the branch addressed mentioned above I realized this was a fraudster/scammer as I tried to call the number back which is indeed a accurate number given it is inputted in my contacts when I do in fact call PNC Bank ( please refer to the attachment of call log activity of when the scammer called-approximately time XXXX length of call XXXX minutes and XXXX seconds ). 

At approximately XXXX I met with XXXX XXXX XXXX Branch Banker ) XXXX  ID XXXX ) Number : XXXX at PNC Bank located at XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX PA XXXX ( please refer to her business card as attached ). I advised her of the aforementioned and also sent her an email ( please refer to email to XXXX XXXX attached ) of the text message of the 10-digit confirmation number. XXXX XXXX along with another banker reported that other PNC Bank consumers were negatively affected by this XXXX scam. XXXX XXXX had worked to close out my original debit card and provided me with a new card and pin number. She advised me to log into my online banking account and change my password which I complied. She insisted that she could not stop the {$1000.00} transaction as it had not posted to my account which I did not understand given I had immediately warned the financial institution while the transaction was still pending. I thought being proactive opposed to reactive would remedy the situation along with having to work to change my debit card information. 

XXXX XXXX insisted that I contact the bank tomorrow morning Saturday XX/XX/XXXX at the number on the back of my card the same number where all this fraudulent activity began XXXX to inquire if the transaction had posted in order to dispute it. I really did not feel comfortable, was uneasy, and untrusting. With {$1000.00} being removed from my account I needed answers immediately. So I contacted the number the same day XX/XX/XXXX after meeting with XXXX XXXX twice once at XXXX length of call XXXX minutes and XXXX seconds ( see attached call log activity ) spoke with XXXX representative and called again at approximately XXXX and XXXX and spoke with XXXX XXXX for approximately XXXX minutes. XXXX kindly advised me the same as XXXX XXXX stated prior. XXXX XXXX stated that she was notating this matter as fraud and to reach out tomorrow morning to dispute the transaction once posted. I contacted XXXX directly at XXXX at approximately XXXX today for a duration of XXXX minutes and XXXX seconds ( see attached call log ). XXXX stated that they could not assist as the matter needed to be resolved with PNC Bank directly. 

I have never been involved any fraudulent behavior as such. I thought me being proactive opposed to reactive would have allowed PNC to stop payment to prevent having to file a dispute or funds to be transferred. I have to put my faith in the hands of others to hopefully pray that all of my funds can be recovered. It should be noted that I filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission ( please refer to attachment ) for this matter. Please help me and thank you for your time and attention to this matter. 

Respectfully, XXXX XXXX XXXX