Consumer complaint received 2025-10-14 00:00:00
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service — Mobile or digital wallet
Issue: Fraud or scam — 
Company: Chime Financial Inc
State: NC

Complaint narrative:
On XX/XX/year>, I was scammed out of {$210.00} through Chime after receiving an email from an actual official school email address from a current faculty member. The email appeared legitimate and offered high-value electronics ( a XXXX, XXXX XXXX, and XXXX camera XXXX for sale. Because it came from a real institutional account and included photos of the items, I believed it was a trustworthy offer. 

I was instructed to send payment using Chime and told to download the app if I didnt already have it. I followed instructions and entered XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX camera as the memo when sending the money. After the transfer, the person asked for even more money, which made me realize this was a scam. When I pressed for the name of the moving company supposedly shipping the items, they stopped responding. 

I then looked up the phone number I was texting and found multiple online reports about the same exact scam ( same email, same wording, same process ) dating back months to over a year. The only thing different was the name they gave me to contact. This proves the scam is ongoing, coordinated, and has specifically targeted people through Chime. 

When I reported this to Chime, I explained : XXXX. The scammer opened a Chime account solely to receive fraudulent payments. 
XXXX. I was directed to use Chime because scammers know it offers little fraud protection. 
XXXX. Requesting my money back from the scammer was not a realistic or safe option. 

Despite all of this, Chime : XXXX. Repeatedly said they cant dispute it because the money was withdrawn, XXXX. Claimed the account is now closed but refused to provide any documentation, XXXX. Told me the system does not allow intervention in this type of fraud, XXXX. Refused to provide a written record or transcript of the call, XXXX. Stated it was not a billing or merchant-related issue despite my memo clearly showing I was paying for goods, XXXX. And ultimately hung up when I pressed for accountability. 

This was not a mistake on my part. I was targeted by a sophisticated scammer using Chimes platform, and Chime refused to act. Their inaction has enabled this scam to persist across multiple victims for over a year. At a minimum, Chime should have flagged the scammers account based on its suspicious activity, given me a clear way to dispute the transaction, and provided written documentation explaining why my request was previously denied. 

I also notified my schools IT help desk to report the fraud, because the scammer contacted me using an actual official university email address. 
This situation falls under Regulation E ( Electronic Fund Transfer Act, 12 CFR 1005 ). Under this law, financial institutions must : 1. Promptly investigate claims of unauthorized electronic transfers ; 2. Provide written results of the investigation ; 3. Offer provisional credit within 10 business days if the investigation takes longer ; 4. Notify the consumer in writing if a dispute is denied, including the basis for the decision. 

Chime failed to meet these obligations. I was not given a path to dispute or documentation explaining the decision, and I believe my rights under Regulation XXXX were violated.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation