Consumer complaint received 2024-02-16 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Problem with a purchase shown on your statement — Card was charged for something you did not purchase with the card
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: WA

Complaint narrative:
Bank of America Credit Card Billing/ Fraud Department XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX TX XXXX XX/XX/2024 Re : Dispute of Fraudulent, Unauthorized Credit Card Charge Claim ID : XXXX To Whom it May Concern : On XX/XX/2024, I was traveling in XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX I stopped for gas and paid the attendant with my Bank of America credit card. Unbeknownst to me, when I asked for a receipt, he turned around and must have inserted my card for a few seconds into a different handheld card reader. That evening, when I stopped at my hotel and had wifi again, I received emails about the two charges which were one minute apart. 

The one for gasoline was the expected {$40.00}. The other was for a horrifying {$1100.00}, to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. I have no idea what that is, and yes I tried unsuccessfully to XXXX it. I immediately called B of A that same day and reported the unauthorized charge, within eight hours of its occurrence. I had to use my travel companions phone since mine doesnt work internationally. We didn't have a good connection, but I tried to explain as best I could what happened. 

My claim was denied. When I got home, I called to appeal and later received the same form letter of denial. Needless to say, I am unhappy. I did not make this charge. I was at a gas station and it would have been impossible for me to rack up such a charge there ( one minute after buying gasoline, while sitting in my rental car ). The representatives I spoke to could not even tell me what I supposedly purchased. 

I believe that this unauthorized charge should have been flagged as pending since it is so out of character with my usual charges ( limited to hotels, restaurants, gas, and rental cars ). I only use this card when traveling internationally. I have been a customer of Bank of America for many years and this is the first time this has happened. I did have something similar ( different bank, similar amount ) happen several months ago at a local restaurant, when my card was brought to the kitchen. XXXX immediately listed the charge as pending, and when I communicated with them that I did not make the charge, they dropped it from my account. I think that Bank of America should have done the same, especially since it was such a large amount. 

Bank of America advertises XXXX liability for fraudulent charges, yet is holding me accountable for a very expensive charge I did not make. The Fair Credit Billing Act limits my liability to {$50.00}. Therefore, after two phone appeals, I am putting my concerns in writing and reporting this incident to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 

Please contact me if you have any questions. I am still expecting this unauthorized, fraudulent charge to be credited to my account. 

Sincerely, XXXX cc : Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief