Crypto Consumer Monitors Bank of America
A Bank of America client recently filed a class-action lawsuit against the institution, alleging that it unlawfully declined to reimburse victims of fraud.
Customer’s Fraud Claim
Kimberley Dennie, the plaintiff, reported losing her BofA debit card in February. Following this, she noticed unauthorized transactions deplete her account.
- Dennie reported the card as lost or stolen and initiated a claim, supported by a police report.
- The claim aimed to recover $3,000 that disappeared from her account.
Bank of America’s Response
According to court documents, Bank of America promptly dismissed Dennie’s claim, accusing her of authorizing the transactions without providing evidence, contravening legal requirements.
- The bank allegedly failed to conduct a thorough investigation before rejecting her claim.
- It issued generic denial notices without factual findings or documented investigation results.
Legal Allegations Against Bank of America
The lawsuit contends that Bank of America routinely denies legitimate claims from customers while sending inadequate rejection letters.
- The bank’s denial letters do not fulfill legal obligations by omitting detailed explanations for the rejections.
- Customers are burdened with disproving the bank’s conclusions, contrary to the Electronic Funds Transfer Act’s burden of proof on financial institutions.
Lawsuit Details
The class-action lawsuit was filed in federal court in North Carolina, with the plaintiff seeking actual damages, punitive damages, and a public injunction against the bank’s alleged unlawful practices.
Closing Assessment
The lawsuit’s outcome may impact how financial institutions handle fraud claims, potentially highlighting the responsibility to conduct robust investigations before denying customers’ claims. This legal challenge could set a precedent for fairer treatment of victims of fraudulent activities, holding banks accountable for their actions.