Bank Of America ATM/PIN fraud, money returned then taken back, charged denial fees for 10 other fraudulent withdrawal attempts Fresno California

Denise,

Your report states that the funds were taken back from your account without prior notice. If the bank decided that the items were not fraud and denied your claim, then they should have provided a reason why they believed these transactions to be valid. Overseas items are typically automatic chargebacks, so the only reason I can imagine that they would deny your claim would be if you never returned the fraud affidavit.

Bank of America's claims department is accessible by phone. Call their general customer service number and ask to be connected to "Electronic Claims Services" and they will be able to tell you what to do next.

Denise,

Your report states that the funds were taken back from your account without prior notice. If the bank decided that the items were not fraud and denied your claim, then they should have provided a reason why they believed these transactions to be valid. Overseas items are typically automatic chargebacks, so the only reason I can imagine that they would deny your claim would be if you never returned the fraud affidavit.

Bank of America's claims department is accessible by phone. Call their general customer service number and ask to be connected to "Electronic Claims Services" and they will be able to tell you what to do next.

Denise,

Your report states that the funds were taken back from your account without prior notice. If the bank decided that the items were not fraud and denied your claim, then they should have provided a reason why they believed these transactions to be valid. Overseas items are typically automatic chargebacks, so the only reason I can imagine that they would deny your claim would be if you never returned the fraud affidavit.

Bank of America's claims department is accessible by phone. Call their general customer service number and ask to be connected to "Electronic Claims Services" and they will be able to tell you what to do next.

Denise,

Your report states that the funds were taken back from your account without prior notice. If the bank decided that the items were not fraud and denied your claim, then they should have provided a reason why they believed these transactions to be valid. Overseas items are typically automatic chargebacks, so the only reason I can imagine that they would deny your claim would be if you never returned the fraud affidavit.

Bank of America's claims department is accessible by phone. Call their general customer service number and ask to be connected to "Electronic Claims Services" and they will be able to tell you what to do next.

I have had a similar problem with my ATM card. My card number(we never did find out if they used PIN based or signature based transactions)was used in Japan. I had transactions coming through not only for the purchase of whatever in Japan, but also for the foreign currency conversion fees. My bank (I do not bank with BoA) caught the transactions and froze my account.

While it was inconvenient, I appreciated what they did for me. They suggested that I file a police report. I filed the report that night. A few days later, I got a message on my answering machine from the Stafford Police Department (where I filed) saying that since the transactions were done in a different country, it was out of their jurisdiction and that I needed to contact the Secret Service. I would suggest you do the same as your local police won't be able to do much to help you.

All told, I had over $1000 taken from my account in purchases and fees. I kept meticulous notes and spent a lot of time on the phone with my bank, but I got ALL my money back. I even got the $1.00 that they charged me when I used my temporary card (not a Visa or MC) at a gas station for a POS sale. You will need to fight this with your bank. Make notes when you make your phone calls to the bank. Gather all the paperwork you can. I kept a file folder with all the pertinent information. There is writing all over the inside and all sorts of forms.

You can win this. Fight! Contact the police, contact the Secret Service, contact the bank's fraud department. Write letters, make phone calls. Do what you must. It is your money and you deserve to have it refunded if it was stolen from you. There are many ways that people can get your PIN. If you would like further advice, I am willing to help out if the editor of this site is willing to share my email address.

Denise,

Although I am sorry for your loss, nobody can get money out of an ATM without having BOTH your ATM card AND your PIN#.

You never mentioned if you lost your card or not. How would anyone access your account at an ATM without having your card? Did you have your purse stolen sometime prior to this?

It sounds to me like you are a victim of identity theft. You need to pull all three credit reports immediately and look for suspicious activity.

ALL ATM transactions are videotaped or digitally recorded. Any competent fraud dept would have requested these immediately, as the ATM transactions are time/dated it is easy to do.

I hope you have closed that account.

BofA may have a legitimate standing if they can prove your card was used at an ATM and your PIN# was used. YOU are soley responsible for the security of your card and your PIN#. Not BofA.

Some people write their PIN # on their ATM card or on something else in their wallet. This is a big mistake.

You should immediately file an identity theft report with the FTC and also put a fraud alert on all three credit bureaus. Also file a local police report as you will need to have this to file the other reports.

You also need to file complaints with the Federal government, Office of the Comptroller in regards to the handling of your claim by the bank, and also write a letter of complaint to BofA corporate office.

I am looking forward to seeing my questions answered, and wish you luck in getting your money back.

Denise,

Although I am sorry for your loss, nobody can get money out of an ATM without having BOTH your ATM card AND your PIN#.

You never mentioned if you lost your card or not. How would anyone access your account at an ATM without having your card? Did you have your purse stolen sometime prior to this?

It sounds to me like you are a victim of identity theft. You need to pull all three credit reports immediately and look for suspicious activity.

ALL ATM transactions are videotaped or digitally recorded. Any competent fraud dept would have requested these immediately, as the ATM transactions are time/dated it is easy to do.

I hope you have closed that account.

BofA may have a legitimate standing if they can prove your card was used at an ATM and your PIN# was used. YOU are soley responsible for the security of your card and your PIN#. Not BofA.

Some people write their PIN # on their ATM card or on something else in their wallet. This is a big mistake.

You should immediately file an identity theft report with the FTC and also put a fraud alert on all three credit bureaus. Also file a local police report as you will need to have this to file the other reports.

You also need to file complaints with the Federal government, Office of the Comptroller in regards to the handling of your claim by the bank, and also write a letter of complaint to BofA corporate office.

I am looking forward to seeing my questions answered, and wish you luck in getting your money back.

KGO TV in San Francisco said "Feb. 1 - KGO - An ATM fraud scheme uncovered in San Francisco may be more widespread than first thought.

7 On Your Side first told you about this case last week. Authorities are now looking into the possibility the people responsible could be behind similar cases throughout the west coast."

If you used an Arco Paypoint to buy gas in Northern California your card number AND PIN NUMBER may have been compromised. This is no way your fault but you may have to fight BofA to get them to refund your money. Another quote from KGO
"A spokeswoman for Bank of America told 7 On Your Side its customers are protected from unauthorized transactions and its employees are routinely informed of safety measures

Meanwhile, both Bay Area victims we talked to for this story say Bank of America has credited the missing money back into their accounts. "

Good luck.

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