Consumer complaint received 2025-07-10 00:00:00
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service — Mobile or digital wallet
Issue: Fraud or scam — 
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: PA

Complaint narrative:
On XX/XX/year>2025, I reached out to a woman named XXXX XXXX ( phone number : XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ) after seeing her apartment listing in a XXXX University XXXX XXXX XXXX. She claimed to be the owner of a student-friendly rental property and told me I could secure the apartment by paying a {$350.00} holding deposit, which she assured me was fully refundable after touring the unit, regardless of whether I decided to lease. 

I made it clear to her that I was a student moving to XXXX for XXXX XXXX and that I was being very cautious about where I sent money. I asked for proof of her identity and ownership, which she provided, but I now have good reason to believe that those documents were forged. She also claimed that she had stopped running credit checks and that this deposit was standard to " hold '' the unit. From the beginning, I was uneasy, and I told her so. Despite my hesitation, she continued to pressure me repeatedly, saying someone else was about to send the deposit and I would lose the unit if I didnt act fast. 

She instructed me to send the {$350.00} via XXXX, but not to her nameinstead, to someone called XXXX XXXX ( phone number : XXXX ), who she claimed was her business associate. Although I was uncomfortable with the use of a third party, she insisted this was just how she handled payments. I reluctantly sent the {$350.00} via XXXX. The transaction appeared as completed on my end, but she quickly claimed she hadnt received it. 

To back up her claim, she sent me a screenshot of what appeared to be a XXXX  XXXX  account, showing that the transfer had failed. I now have strong reason to believe this screenshot was doctored or fake. 

She continued pressuring me to send another {$350.00}, this time via XXXX XXXX, saying her XXXX account was under maintenance. I told her I was uncomfortable with potentially paying twice, but she reassured me multiple times that the original payment would be refunded if it eventually came through and even offered to knock {$75.00} off the first months rent for the inconvenience. 

Feeling rushed, XXXX, and vulnerable, I finally gave in and sent the second {$350.00} payment via XXXX XXXX, again to the same number ( XXXX ), bringing my total to {$700.00}. She confirmed receipt of the XXXX XXXX transfer, but afterward ignored my questions about the XXXX transaction. 

I then asked for the address of the apartment. She gave me XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, which I later discovered was nowhere near the XXXX University XXXX XXXX where Ill be studying. When I told her I could not proceed with the lease and requested my refund, she refused, directly contradicting her earlier claims that the deposit was refundable. Her tone became cold and dismissive, and she made comments like, So why did you pay?, further confirming that she never intended to honor her refund promise. 

She tried to redirect me to another location ( XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, MA ). Again, I politely declined and asked for my money back. She flatly responded, No. Sorry, and stopped responding in good faith. 

None of the following were ever provided to me : - A tour of the unit - A lease agreement or terms- A refund of either payment All communication took place over XXXX, and I have screenshots of the full conversation, including XXXX XXXX phone number, her instructions to send money to XXXX XXXX, and the questionable XXXX XXXX screenshot. I now believe XXXX XXXX is a false alias or third-party front used by XXXX XXXX to collect money and avoid accountability. 

I have full screenshots showing : - Jessicas phone number- The payment instructions to send money to XXXX XXXX separate phone number- The fake-looking XXXX XXXX  screenshot - Her promises that the deposit was refundable I now believe XXXX XXXX is an alias or third-party identity used by XXXX XXXX to divert payments and distance herself from fraud accusations. Since this incident, Ive found multiple public reports ( including XXXX threads  and XXXX posts ) from other students warning that XXXX XXXX has scammed them in almost exactly the same waypressuring them into sending refundable deposits to unfamiliar names and then ghosting or refusing refunds. 

Since this happened, Ive discovered that XXXX XXXX has been repeatedly reported for using XXXX housing groups, creating urgency, and collecting refundable deposits she never returns. 

This was not a misunderstanding. It was a calculated and malicious rental scam. I was manipulated, misled, and pressured into sending {$700.00} to someone who exploited my vulnerability as a first-time student renter. I am filing this complaint to report the fraud and request a formal investigation into XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ), the XXXX recipient XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ), and the XXXX XXXX account involved in this scam. 

I have filed formal claims with both Bank of America and XXXX XXXX XXXX regarding the fraudulent payments. XXXX XXXX has since informed me that I must resolve the issue directly with my bank. However, Bank of America has denied both claims, citing that the payments were authorized and therefore not eligible for reimbursement, and treating it as the equivalent of sending physical cash. This decision is deeply disappointing given the clear indicators of fraud and manipulation in this case. I was scammed out of $ XXXXa substantial amount that I can not afford to lose as a full-time student preparing to relocate for graduate school. The experience has caused significant XXXX  and financial XXXX. 

Whats even more troubling is that XXXX XXXX remains active, continuing to target other students using the same tactics. Despite multiple public reports against her and obvious patterns of fraudulent activity, she has not been stopped, and funds are still being sent to her through major financial platforms without accountability. If scammers are able to exploit these systems so easily, with no safeguards or recourse for victims, then institutions like Bank of America are failing in their responsibility to protect consumers. I respectfully urge the CFPB and any relevant parties to investigate this matter thoroughly and take action against this individual and any associated accounts to prevent further harm.

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 explanation