Consumer complaint received 2025-02-03 00:00:00
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service — Mobile or digital wallet
Issue: Fraud or scam — 
Company: CAPITAL ONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
I was approached for my XXXX XXXX XXXX  from an individual who claimed to work for the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. My role was to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 

I was provided a check in advance for my services for {$5000.00}. After cashing this check, a couples days later the project slowly began to be canceled in phases, with the school requiring me to send money back in waves. After first sending them {$2500.00} digitally, the next day the {$5000.00} check had reversed itself due to being fake. The individual ( XXXX ) continued to request more stating, but once I pushed back stating their check was invalid and they owed me {$2500.00}, they went dark and I lost contact. 

I filed a claim with my bank, Capital One, who ultimately denied. The bank encouraged me to send documented proof prior to this decision, which I did. I requested information on how they made their decision to deny me, and it turns out they never used the information I had sent them and simply made this decision off our brief phone call when I first filed the claim. 

Below I am providing a step by step timeline of interactions with a XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX in California seeking my services as an XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 

XX/XX/XXXX : XXXX XXXX provided a budget of {$5000.00}. I suggested that only half be sent as a deposit, but XXXX XXXX insisted on paying in full by sending a certified cashier 's Check. 

XX/XX/XXXX : XXXX XXXX requests my name, address, bank, and phone number for check distribution. Several days follow and I have to follow up for the check to be sent. 

XX/XX/XXXX - XX/XX/XXXX : XXXX XXXX and I continue to communicate back and forth as I begin the illustration project and provide first drafts. XXXX provides feedback on multiple occasions through text and email. 

XX/XX/XXXX : Check is delivered ( attached document for reference ). XXXX XXXX texts me immediately upon its delivery to inform me that the check has arrived and that I should cash it digitally as soon as possible. I do so. He states that the {$5000.00} dollar check has been deposited successfully and deducted from their account the moment I cashed it. My account was pending at this time. 

XXXX starts to inform me that the project is changing and less work XXXX be involved. 

XX/XX/XXXX : Receive email and texts from XXXX XXXX stating that half the project ( Phase XXXX ) is canceled. He requests an immediate return of {$2500.00} as soon as possible. My Capital One account currently says the majority of the {$5000.00} check funds are in my account as the remainder was still processing. XXXX provides a document supposedly from the school stating the projects Phase XXXX cancellation ( attached document for reference ). 

XXXX texts me saying that I should send a XXXX payment to the email of XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ). He also requests screenshot receipts of this transaction. I send the {$2500.00} and provide documentation. 

XX/XX/XXXX : XXXX XXXX texts and calls me first thing in the morning stating that the project is canceled in its entirety, and that I should immediately XXXX an additional {$1500.00} to XXXX XXXX at XXXX. I received a second document that morning from XXXX confirming the entire projects cancellation, apparently signed off by XXXX XXXX of the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

A check reversal of the {$5000.00} check had taken place automatically earlier that morning, and {$5000.00} was removed from my bank account sending me into the negative. Most likely due to being a fraudulent check. At this point, I have also already paid them back {$2500.00} of my own actual mone. 

I call my bank, Capital One immediately and begin to file a claim for a scam/fraud. They inform me that they received the {$2500.00} and it had been successfully deposited into their account, which also happened to be a Capital One account. 

XXXX continues to text for immediate updates and keeps stating that the {$2500.00} I sent prior did not process. At this point, I inform him that there is no money left in my account, and that their check to was reversed and I am owed {$2500.00}. 

XXXX slowly starts to stop communicating with light contact, but never fully responds to my concerns. 

XX/XX/XXXX : I follow up XXXX more time in the morning requesting the return of my {$2500.00} ( claim amount ) along with {$1000.00} owed to me for compensation. No response. XXXX XXXX officially goes dark and I never hear from him again. 

Capital One stated that I could provide any proof and documentation to help support my claim after my first initial call on XX/XX/XXXX. I provide Capital One with all text messages, emails, documents and fraudulent check via email. 

XX/XX/XXXX : Capital Ones responds stating that my claim is denied. I request documentation regarding how they made this decision, as stated as an option in their email. 2-5 days required for processing. 

XX/XX/XXXX : Capital One provides documentation regarding their decision to deny my claim. The email showed that they did not review the proof that I sent them and made their decision solely on my first phone call reporting the scam which does not go into enough detail based on their questioning. 

XX/XX/XXXX : After discovering that Capital One did not utilize the information that I provided them for their own internal investigation, I proceeded to call XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX personally to look into the matter. XXXX suggested that I email their HR team explaining the situation. As of XX/XX/XXXX, I have yet to hear back any information.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation