Renter Rights, anything I can do?

I’m out $500 for an “apartment holding fee,” refundable if application is declined. I sent in all the info requested, tax docs etc. and they kept coming back with please submit again according to the guidelines. I essentially got ghosted. No one would answer phone calls, office never open. I just wanted to know what was wrong with my documents so I could fix it and move on with the application process. After weeks of not being able to contact anyone, having my move in date pushed back multiple times, and multiple rent increases for missing those move in dates I finally get a call from an agent asking if I’m still interested in the unit. I told them that with the increases in rent it’s out of my price range and I would not be moving there.

They classified this as me canceling the application after 24 hours of applying and therefore forfeiting my $500. I’ve tried disputing this charge through my bank, but it was not accepted. Do I have any sort of rights legally, or options for getting my money back? This is a large-scale rental company that essentially scammed me. My $500 means so much more to me than it does for them..