Licking Co. couple recovers $24k scammed from bank account

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – What a journey it's been for Eric and Brenda Nickolas.

Better Call 4 first spoke with the Pataskala couple months after they noticed some unusual activity in their bank account -- nearly $24,000 was withdrawn from their home equity line of credit.

The couple insisted they had nothing to do with that transaction. So, they took the issue to investigators and their bank.

"They're very sympathetic when you're talking to them, but, pretty much the bottom line is they said once money is wired out, they can't do anything about it," Nickolas said.

Meaning the couple was on the hook for that cash.

Seeking a solution, the couple submitted a fraud claim twice and was denied twice because, according to the bank's investigation, the withdrawals were approved from Brenda's personal device.

"We'll both take a polygraph exam if that's what it takes to say, 'We didn't do this,'" Nickolas said.

That's when they called Better Call 4. I called the bank, the FDIC, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Then, connected the Nickolases with the OCC's Customer Assistance Group. Not long after, Eric sent me a message, which said, in part:

"Thanks to you for providing the information about the FDIC and the Office of the Comptroller, which we contacted. As a result, we have received restitution from them."

Meaning the couple was no longer responsible for repaying the nearly $24,000.

At that time, though, Eric said they were still responsible for the interest, which he estimated to be around $750.

The couple had been working to sort that out. And their perseverance paid off, as Eric sent another message in mid-April, that said the bank agreed to "refund the overpaid interest" on the money.

He added, "We won thanks to you. A check for over $1,400 is in the mail on the way."

After the story aired, several viewers reached out with similar experiences. Every situation is different, but you can reach out to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to find out if the Customer Assistance Group can help: Call 1-800-613-6743 or visit https://www.helpwithmybank.gov/