Consumer complaint received 2026-02-15 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Problem with a purchase shown on your statement — Credit card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase on your statement
Company: DISCOVER BANK
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
This is a follow-up to my previous CFPB complaint ( case XXXX ), where Discover denied the dispute claiming it was an authorized transaction. 

On XX/XX/year>, I was in an extremely vulnerable and chaotic state : I was in the final stages of moving from XXXX  to XXXX to start a new job that I had worked very hard to secure. I was packing up my entire life, managing logistics, dealing with high anxiety about the relocation, and trying to make a strong first impression before even beginning the role. At approximately XXXX XXXX, I received an email claiming to be from the CEO of the company where I was about to start this new job. The email requested my phone number for " official purposes. '' Wanting to be cooperative and professional right before my first day, I provided it. 

Shortly after, I received text messages from an unknown number pretending to be the CEO. The sender said they needed help with a confidential " quick errand '' to surprise staff with gift cards for good work, emphasized not telling anyone to avoid ruining the surprise, and created intense urgency by implying it was time-sensitive and only I could assist. Starting around XXXXXXXX XXXX  the same day, the sender directed me to buy gift cards immediately, beginning with XXXX {$200.00} XXXX cards and escalating to more. 

Because I was overwhelmed by the move, deeply eager to prove myself before starting the job, afraid of disappointing the CEO right at the beginning of my new role, and under strong pressure from the urgency and confidentiality demands, I complied. I purchased approximately {$1900.00} in various gift cards ( including XXXX, XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, XXXX ) using my Discover credit card ( {$1600.00} ) and XXXXXXXX XXXX credit card ( {$250.00} ) at XXXX XXXX and XXXX. 

The sender repeatedly asked for photos of the scratched PINs/codes, which I sent. All cards were redeemed almost immediately by the scammer. 

I realized it was a CEO impersonation gift card scam the same day, still in the middle of my moving chaos. I contacted the gift card issuers, who confirmed full redemption. I reported the fraud to Discover and XXXX XXXX customer service on XX/XX/year>, requesting disputes. Discover said charges were pending and later denied the dispute, calling it an authorized transaction. XXXX XXXX  initially refunded {$250.00} but later reversed it. 
I filed a police report for impersonation fraud ( tracking number XXXX from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Police Department ) and opened CFPB complaints. 

This is a proven scam induced by impersonation and deception, exploiting well-documented psychological vulnerabilities : the pressure of starting a new job, fear of disappointing a new employer, chaos of relocating, and urgency tactics designed to bypass rational thinking. I request reversal and refund of the {$1600.00} Discover charges under zero-liability policy.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation