Bank transfers $120K to wrong account, couple charged for spending it
SCRANTON, Pa. (WSET) -- A couple is facing charges after allegedly spending money that was deposited into their account accidentally.
According to WNE, a couple in Pennsylvania is facing theft charges and over $100,000 in overdraft fees after allegedly using money that was accidentally deposited into their bank account.
State Police say Robert and Tiffany Williams had the money deposited into their account at BB&T on May 31throough a mistake by a teller. Instead of contacting the bank about the money, the Williams allegedly spent most of the money in two and a half weeks between June 3 and June 19.
Their neighbors were stunned.
"That is kind of shocking, with all the procedures the banks have set up, checking and double-checking and triple-checking there`s no way anybody gets away with that stuff," said Nate Weaver, a neighbor.
State Police say the Williams bought an SUV, two four-wheelers, a camper, a car trailer, they also used the money on bills, car repairs, cash purchases and even gave $15,000 to friends in need.
"I would check in with the bank first before I didn`t anything, I`m not that dumb but some people do stupid things sometimes," said Robert Painton, another neighbor.
Once the bank realized its mistake, it transferred the $120,000 to the right account. The bank then contacted Tiffany Williams on June 20 and told her the couple had to pay back the $107,000 in overdraft fees they occurred.
On June 21, the bank called again. Tiffany said she and her husband would work on a payment plan.
Court papers show after the initial phone calls from the bank, the couple had no contact with bank representatives, despite several attempts by the bank to contact them.
The couple is now facing felony theft charges. Robert and Tiffany Williams were released on a $25,000 bail.
