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Credit card fraud can strike anyone, and when it does, you expect your bank to be your ally. But what happens when your bank refuses to help? That’s exactly what one Maryland consumer experienced, as documented in the 2024 Consumer Complaint Survey Report. There’s a growing need to protect everyday people from financial institutions that fail to do the right thing.
The Howard County Office of Consumer Protection recently handled a complaint from a Maryland resident whose credit card was stolen, right out of the mail. Before they even received the card, a thief racked up more than $23,000 in unauthorized charges. The consumer/victim disputed the charges with their bank, citing the theft. But the bank refused to back down.
Instead of investigating properly, the bank argued that because the consumer had made other legitimate purchases around the same period, they must have received the new card and were simply trying to evade responsibility. They even claimed the old card had been deactivated when the new one was issued, implying the disputed charges couldn’t be fraudulent.
The consumer/victim reached out to the Howard County Office of Consumer Protection, which started a more thorough investigation, and their findings told a different story than what the bank had suggested. The consumer was still able to use the old credit card during the period in question, proving that the new one hadn’t yet been activated. Additionally, the transaction records revealed charges made at vastly different locations within short time frames, making it highly unlikely that the card was in the consumer’s possession at all. After these facts/discoveries were presented, the bank reversed course. The bank acknowledged the theft, credited the $23,000 in fraudulent charges back to the consumer, and reissued a new card with proper safeguards in place.
Credit card fraud isn’t always about lost wallets, spam-filled emails, or robocalls. Sometimes, it’s as simple and serious as a stolen envelope. But perhaps even more alarming is how financial institutions sometimes just ignore consumer disputes, and even argue that fraud victims are trying to game the system.
Under federal law, you are not liable for unauthorized credit card charges if you report them promptly. But when your bank refuses to act, you can and should escalate the issue:
Credit card fraud can cause serious stress and financial damage, but you don’t have to go through it alone. If you’re being ignored or blamed by your bank, speak up. Get help.
If you’ve been a victim of credit card fraud and your bank refuses to cooperate, contact our office and connect with an experienced credit attorney. We’ll help you fight for what’s right.
