An Atlanta woman was left in a desperate situation after a popular US bank froze her account without warning, leaving her unable to access her funds. Shelley Camp found herself stranded and forced to rely on the generosity of friends and family for basic necessities like food and transportation.
Camp, who was out of town at the time, was shocked when Green Dot locked her account citing “unusual activity.” The $640 in her account, which was her IRS refund, was suddenly inaccessible with no explanation provided. Despite numerous attempts to resolve the issue, Camp was left in the dark until ABC-affiliated news station WSB-TV stepped in to investigate.
After reaching out to Green Dot, the bank finally unlocked Camp’s account, attributing the freeze to “extra fraud protections” put in place for some IRS refunds. This incident is not isolated, as similar reports of account freezes related to tax refunds have surfaced in the past.
Green Dot Bank, which boasts billions in assets and millions of customers, specializes in processing tax refunds for its clients. In the first half of 2023 alone, the bank processed millions in tax refunds, according to SEC filings.
The ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the power banks hold over individuals’ finances and the importance of transparency in banking practices. Camp’s experience highlights the vulnerability many customers face when their accounts are suddenly frozen without warning, leaving them to fend for themselves in times of need.
