Ohio Huntington Bank customers say fraudsters took up to $40,000, and claims sat in 'pending'

A group of Huntington Bank customers in Northeast Ohio saw fraudulent account activity wipe out sums from a few hundred dollars to $40,000 — but for many, the ordeal didn't stop there.

Several customers reported that a bigger shock came afterward: fraud claims allegedly remained in "pending" status, according to WEWS-TV.

Here's what to know

Half a dozen customers who spoke with WEWS-TV described money disappearing from their accounts in different ways, including changed login information, unauthorized withdrawals, phone scams, and transfers from Zelle accounts they never fully set up.

Akron customer Don Graber said $40,000 was taken. 

"Somebody was in my account," he told the station. "I don't know how they got there."

For Castalia resident Doug Robison, the issue came to light when his wife checked their account from the hospital and found about $800 missing.

Euclid customer Sharon Budin said scammers somehow weaponized Zelle against two accounts, though neither she nor her husband had fully connected the money transfer app.

"My husband downloaded the app, but we haven't used it," she said. "We haven't even set it up."

Lisa Lin, a Stow resident, cited activity that included three "withdrawals of $500 each."

Customers could not stop the losses quickly or get timely answers once the money was gone.

More background

Beyond financial losses, several customers described the emotional toll of the experience. After scammers took hundreds of dollars from her account, Port Clinton customer Patty Bacisin went to a Huntington branch and was distressed as she described the impact.

"Sorry if I get emotional," Bacisin recalled. "I sat in front of them and said you guys don't know what this did to me. I had one [person at] Huntington's branch look at me and laugh."

Other customers told WEWS-TV that branches tried to help but had limited ability to do so. Several more complained about what happened after their cases moved beyond the branch.

Lin said she "spoke with them for hours and then a supervisor, a supervisor of supervisors."

Diana Hannan from Massillon was transferred repeatedly, and when she asked for a direct number in case the call dropped, a representative refused. 

"No, we're not allowed to give those numbers out," she recalled an employee saying.

Graber, whose case remained unresolved, described a frustrating wait.

"It's pending … even two-and-a-half months later or three months later," he said. "They all say pending."

What's being done?

Customers escalated their claims through Huntington's existing channels — starting at branch locations, then moving to phone support, and ultimately speaking publicly with investigators from WEWS-TV. Several said those efforts led to lengthy calls but little clarity.

WEWS-TV reported that Huntington declined another invitation to participate in an on-camera interview about the fraud concerns.

A Huntington representative called to complain about the station's prior coverage, but the bank still did not agree to directly address the customers' allegations in an interview.

WEWS-TV planned to continue reporting on Huntington's determinations on the customers' fraud claims. The station also reported that a federal agency is now investigating Huntington Bank.

"You gave us your word that you would protect us and you failed to do it," Bacisin said.

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