An elderly Florida woman is suing Bank of America (BofA) after losing $2 million to scammers. Lynne Bucklin alleges that BofA failed to protect her from the scam, which drained her accounts.
The Scam
Bucklin received emails and phone calls from people claiming to be FTC investigators. They told her that her social security number had been exposed. One scammer, posing as “Bruce Williams,” sent her fake credentials and an FTC letter claiming her accounts were being investigated for fraud.
BofA’s Alleged Negligence
Bucklin alleges that BofA employees approved wire transfers to cryptocurrency accounts, despite the transactions being unusual. She also claims that a scammer gained remote access to her computer and stole her identity.
Legal Claims
Bucklin is suing BofA for negligence, breach of contract, and violations of federal law, including the Electronic Funds Transfer Act and the Florida Uniform Commercial Code. She accuses the bank of negligent hiring and failing to question the validity of the transactions.
Bank’s Response
BofA was able to recover $500,000 before closing Bucklin’s case. The bank has not commented on the lawsuit.
Warning
This case highlights the importance of being cautious when receiving unsolicited communications from individuals claiming to be from government agencies or financial institutions. Always verify the legitimacy of such communications before providing any personal or financial information.
