Firefighter Loses Nearly $100,000
One morning, an American firefighter awoke to a terrifying experience.
Source: Freepik
According to The Sun, the 21-year-old had close to $95,000 in savings stolen from his bank account.
Wells Fargo Refuses to Help
The man was forced to share his dilemma on Reddit after Wells Fargo declined to return the money to him.
Source: Wikimedia
The firefighter explained he “barely makes good money as is,” and it had taken him almost six years to save up what was stolen.
Four Illicit Transactions
According to the 21-year-old, the amount was stolen via four transactions, three of which were illicit wire transfers, and the fourth was a business-to-business Automated Clearing House (ACH) withdrawal.
Source: Freepik
“I had over $90k, close to $95k stolen from my account,” wrote the victim.
Firefighter Reaches Out to CFPB for Help
After reviewing the clearly fraudulent transaction, the Reddit user contacted the Consumer Federal Protection Bureau (CFPB) for help resolving the claim.
Source: Freepik
Yet, the federal bureau didn’t fully resolve the firefighter’s issue.
CFPB Offers $25,000 in Compensation
After submitting his claim, the CFPB agreed to return approximately $25,000 to the victim.
Source: Freepik
The CFPB said they could not return the total amount as they said there was a chance the firefighter had made the withdrawals himself.
Firefighter Upset with Federal Bureau’s Decision
“When I heard this, my mind was blown,” the user wrote.
Source: Freepik
“Why give me any of the money back then? For a multimillion-dollar company, if not billions, the security is pitiful.”
The Bank Failed to Notify the Firefighter
According to the Reddit user, the situation is weird, as the bank failed to notify him when the large withdrawals were taking place.
Source: Freepik
He wrote that he never received an “email, text message, notification, or even a phone call.”
Man Files Another Claim with CFPB
The American man has since filed another claim with the CFPB.
Source: Freepik
He hopes this time around, they will be able to reimburse him with the remaining $70,000.
Reddit Users Offer Advice
After sharing his dilemma on Reddit, the young firefighter received a plethora of comments offering advice.
Source: Freepik
One user said the CFPB only reimbursed the firefighter with $25,000 as that was all they could recover.
Transactions Were Made Online
When asked how the wire transfers were made, the young man replied, “They were done ‘online,’ according to what an agent told me.”
Source: Freepik
“I never received a code or anything on my end,” he wrote.
Change Online Passwords Frequently
Finally, the firefighter said, “I never use my debit card except to pay off my credit cards, as I use them for the benefits.”
Source: Freepik
One Reddit user offered advice, suggesting that the young firefighter change his password immediately and check his login history on the days the illicit transaction occurred.