Consumer complaint received 2026-01-28 00:00:00
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service — Mobile or digital wallet
Issue: Fraud or scam — 
Company: FIFTH THIRD FINANCIAL CORPORATION
State: MI

Complaint narrative:
Summary of Fraud I am writing to formally notify Fifth Third Bank that I was the victim of a bank impersonation and social-engineering fraud in which individuals posed as Fifth Third Bank fraud personnel using spoofed phone numbers and text messages. 
Throughout XXXX, I experienced repeated legitimate fraud on my Fifth Third debit and credit card accounts, including multiple fraud alerts, text messages, and card cancellations. I had recently initiated a legitimate Fifth Third fraud claim just days before this incident, which contributed to my reasonable belief that the communications I received were authentic. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a text message appearing to originate from Fifth Third Bank notifying me of fraudulent charges. After denying the charges, I received a phone call from an individual identifying himself as a Fifth Third fraud agent who accurately reviewed my real Fifth Third transaction history and claimed that my Social Security Number had been compromised. 
Fraudulent Instructions and Account Liquidation On XX/XX/XXXX, while physically present at a Fifth Third branch as instructed, I was told that my funds were unsafe at Fifth Third Bank and that I needed to close my accounts and withdraw my funds in cash as an emergency identity-protection measure. 
I was instructed to : Remain on the phone during the transaction Be discreet Avoid discussing the situation with branch staff I complied with these instructions believing they came from legitimate Fifth Third fraud personnel. This was not a voluntary transaction, but the result of impersonation and psychological manipulation.

Subsequent Loss and Immediate Reporting After withdrawing my funds, I was directed to deposit them into a secure account at another institution. Shortly thereafter, I realized I had been defrauded and immediately reported the incident. 
This matter has been reported to : XXXX XXXX Police Department ( Incident # XXXX ) Federal Trade Commission ( Ref. # XXXX ) FBI XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX # XXXX ) Formal Requests to Fifth Third Bank I respectfully request that Fifth Third Bank : 1. Classify this matter as bank impersonation fraud 2. Provide written confirmation of all recovery and recall efforts 3. Preserve all relevant records, including : o Fraud-alert texts and call metadata o Account notes and internal fraud reviews o Branch transaction records related to the cash withdrawal 4. Assign a named fraud investigator with direct contact information XXXX. Provide documentation of Fifth Thirds review of fraud red flags associated with a full cash withdrawal Respectfully, XXXX XXXX XXXX : XX/XX/XXXX AFFIDAVIT OF FRAUD FIFTH THIRD BANK ( XXXX ) I, XXXX XXXX, declare under penalty of perjury that the following is true and correct. 
Throughout XXXX, I experienced repeated legitimate fraud on my Fifth Third debit and credit card accounts, resulting in multiple fraud alerts, text messages, and card replacements. 
These prior legitimate incidents made the impersonation communications I received in XX/XX/XXXX appear authentic. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a text message and subsequent phone call from individuals impersonating Fifth Third Bank fraud personnel. They reviewed my real transaction history and falsely claimed my Social Security Number had been compromised. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, acting under these false representations and believing I was following legitimate Fifth Third fraud instructions, I closed my accounts and withdrew my funds in cash. These actions were not voluntary and were taken solely due to fraudulent inducement. 
I did not intend to relinquish ownership of my funds and reported the fraud immediately upon discovery. 
I request that Fifth Third Bank cooperate fully with recovery efforts, law enforcement, and regulators. 
I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation