When reviewing your bank accounts, the last thing you may expect is to find a transaction you never made in your checking or debit account. This is often one of the most anxiety-inducing moments, as it indicates that someone has stolen the money you’ve worked hard for. As such, understanding your legal options during these matters is imperative, especially if the bank refuses to refund the money taken from your account. If this represents your circumstances, you’ll want to keep reading to learn more about your legal options during these matters and why connecting with a California unauthorized bank transfers lawyer can assist you during these complicated matters.
What Should I Do if I Notice an Unauthorized Bank Transaction?
If you notice an unauthorized bank transfer on your account, the most important thing you should do is immediately contact your bank. They can assist you in ensuring your account is secure by changing the password, turning on two-factor authentication, and issuing new debit cards to ensure all bases are covered. However, you should also formally dispute the charge on your account.
When you dispute a transaction because it is unauthorized, it’s important to understand what will ensue. Generally, the bank will have 10 days to open an investigation to determine whether or not the charge is fraudulent. In many instances, the agent assigned to the case will examine a number of different factors like the IP address of the user at the time the transfer was made, where the money went, if it was used to make a purchase, and if the transaction was from online banking or debit card use.
In the meantime, the bank may issue a temporary reimbursement of funds. If they determine that the charge is not unauthorized, they will remove the reimbursed funds from your account.
If My Bank Won’t Refund the Money, What Can I Do?
In the event the bank won’t issue a refund for the transaction you are disputing, it can feel hopeless. However, its critical to understand that there are steps you can take to fight the decision. Generally, the first thing you should do is review the reason why they denied the dispute. This can provide insight into the reasons, and it may be something simple like incorrectly filing the necessary paperwork.
However, if their investigation determines no fraud occurred, it’s critical to understand that you can dispute the charges. however, this can be a complicated process, so it’s in your best interest to work with an experienced consumer attorney who can help you in the fight against a financial institution.
At Loker Law, we understand how difficult these matters can be which is why our team is ready to fight for you. Our firm can examine the circumstances of your case to determine if any federal consumer protection laws, like the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, were violated. We will work tirelessly to help you in the fight for your funds. Contact us today to learn more about these complicated matters.
