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  Geebo 8:00 am on April 12, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: bank fraud ( 23 ), bank scam ( 70 ), citibank, Scams ( 1,354 )   

  State sues banks over scam victims 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Before, we’ve recounted numerous instances in which banks pointed fingers at scam victims, alleging they were the culprits. These allegations seemed to stem from a single bank, as per anecdotal evidence. Yet, a lawsuit filed by the state of New York reveals that this bank wasn’t the sole entity engaging in such dubious treatment of its clientele.

  The narrative is familiar, a seemingly innocuous text message, purportedly from Citibank, prompts recipients to verify personal information. It’s a trap, swiftly leading to unauthorized access to bank accounts and significant financial losses.

  What’s more troubling is the response from Citibank. Despite the bank’s customers falling victim to fraudulent schemes, Citibank washes its hands of responsibility for recovering stolen funds. This stance highlights a glaring gap in consumer protection laws, leaving victims vulnerable to the predatory tactics of identity thieves.

  The lawsuit, filed by the New York Attorney General’s Office, exposes the inadequacies of existing regulations in safeguarding consumers against the evolving landscape of online fraud. While measures exist to limit losses from traditional payment methods like credit cards and checks, the same level of protection doesn’t extend to bank account transfers, which can constitute a significant portion of an individual’s savings. Identity thieves are capitalizing on this vulnerability, with imposter scams involving bank transfers skyrocketing in recent years.

  The implications of this legal dispute extend far beyond the courtroom. Victims of identity theft find themselves caught in a bureaucratic labyrinth, where the onus falls on them to prove the bank’s negligence in safeguarding their accounts.

  In the face of mounting losses and regulatory ambiguity, one thing remains clear: the need for comprehensive reforms to strengthen consumer safeguards in an increasingly digitized banking landscape. Whether through legislative action or judicial precedent, the onus is on policymakers and industry stakeholders to prioritize the security and financial well-being of consumers.

  As New York’s legal saga continues, it serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in the battle against identity theft. The outcome will not only shape the fate of individual victims but also set a precedent for banks’ accountability in combating online fraud. In an age where a single click can lead to financial ruin, the pursuit of justice takes on renewed urgency.

   

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  Geebo 9:00 am on February 2, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: bank scam ( 70 ), citibank, lawsuit ( 47 ), new york ( 16 ), Scams ( 1,354 )   

  State sues bank for refusing to help scam victims 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Over the past few years, there has been a tremendous surge in banking scams that target consumers. While these scams take many firms, they all have one thing in common. Scammers will pose as the victim’s bank while directing the victim to move their money. Even when they’ve been promptly notified by their customers, many banks have refused to assist scam victims. The banks have argued that since the customers allowed access to their accounts, even under deceptive circumstances, they are still responsible for the fraudulent transactions. However, a state office has taken exception to this stance and is actively seeking to address the issue on behalf of scam victims.

  The New York Attorney General’s Office has initiated legal action in the US District Court against Citibank, one of the country’s major financial institutions. The lawsuit alleges that Citibank engaged in illicit and deceptive practices by rejecting the claims of scam victims in New York. Additionally, the bank is accused of maintaining inadequate security measures to safeguard customer accounts, disregarding warning signals, and responding inadequately to fraud alerts.

  The New York Attorney General’s office highlighted two specific instances in its legal filing where it alleges Citibank failed to uphold its responsibilities. In the first case, Citibank attempted to verify a $35,000 wire transfer, but when the customer was unavailable to answer her phone, the bank approved not only the initial fraudulent transfer but also a second one of the same amount. Furthermore, in another incident, when a customer fell victim to a fraudulent link in a text message and reported it to their local Citibank branch, they were reassured and told not to be concerned. Subsequently, scammers managed to siphon over $100,000 from the customer’s account. In both situations, Citibank allegedly denied the fraud claims made by the affected customers.

  In a statement to Ars Technica, Citibank defended their practices when it comes to scam victims with the following statement…

   “Banks are not required to make clients whole when those clients follow criminals’ instructions and banks can see no indication the clients are being deceived,” the company said.

  The recent incidents involving Citibank underscore the pressing need for a reevaluation of the role and responsibility banks bear in safeguarding their customers from scams. The New York Attorney General’s lawsuit sheds light on instances where the bank’s actions may have fallen short, leaving customers vulnerable to substantial financial losses. As technology advances and scams become more sophisticated, the question arises: should banks not only enhance their security measures, but also be held more accountable for the repercussions of fraudulent activities? Striking a balance between customer autonomy and robust protection mechanisms is crucial, prompting a broader discussion on how financial institutions can better shield their clientele in an evolving landscape of cyber threats.