In Columbus, Ohio, Eric and Brenda Nickolas discovered that nearly $24,000 was withdrawn from their home equity line of credit without their knowledge. Despite their claims of innocence, the bank was unable to reverse the transaction once the money had been wired out, leaving the couple responsible for repaying the funds. After submitting two fraud claims that were denied because the withdrawals were approved from Brenda’s personal device, the couple reached out to Better Call 4 for help.
Better Call 4 intervened on behalf of the Nickolases, contacting the bank, the FDIC, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The couple was connected with the OCC’s Customer Assistance Group, which ultimately resulted in the Nickolases receiving restitution for the nearly $24,000 that had been taken from their account. This relieved them of the burden of repaying the unauthorized withdrawal.
While the restitution resolved the issue of the withdrawn funds, the Nickolases were still responsible for the interest accrued on the money. Through their perseverance and continued efforts, the couple was able to negotiate with the bank to have the overpaid interest refunded to them. The bank agreed to refund the interest, totaling around $750, and sent the Nickolases a check for over $1,400 as repayment.
Following the resolution of their case, the Nickolases shared their story with NBC4 WCMH-TV, where it caught the attention of other viewers who had experienced similar situations. While each case is unique, viewers were encouraged to reach out to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for assistance through the Customer Assistance Group. By calling 1-800-613-6743 or visiting the OCC’s website, individuals could explore options for resolving banking disputes and fraudulent transactions.
The Nickolases’ experience serves as a reminder of the importance of monitoring financial accounts for unusual activity and taking swift action to address any discrepancies. By seeking assistance from regulatory agencies and consumer advocacy groups, individuals can potentially find resolutions to banking issues that may seem insurmountable on their own. Better Call 4’s involvement in the Nickolases’ case highlights the value of reaching out for help when facing challenges with financial institutions, ultimately leading to a successful outcome for the couple.
