A 100-year-old woman from Durham, North Carolina, went through a frustrating financial struggle after her bank account was locked and she couldn’t access her money for months. Marie Green, a centenarian, was left helpless as more than $7,700 in her Capital One checking account was restricted due to suspected fraud.
The issue began in January 2024, after her son, Steve Riggsbee, helped her deposit a check using mobile banking. But instead of seeing the money safely deposited, the bank flagged the account and restricted access—leaving Green unable to pay her bills.
Son Steps In, But Bank Refuses to Talk
Steve Riggsbee, who helps his mother with daily tasks because of her age and hearing challenges, called Capital One to sort out the issue. But the bank said the account was restricted over fraud concerns.
Even after repeated calls and explaining that he was just assisting his elderly mother, Capital One refused to communicate with him unless he had power of attorney. But both Steve and Marie Green maintained that she was mentally fit and capable of speaking for herself.
“I’m 100 years old. He wasn’t trying to take my money—he was just helping me,” Green said.
Social Security Money Stuck, Credit Card Debt Rises
The situation got worse because Green’s Social Security checks were still being deposited into the blocked Capital One account. With no access to her funds, Green was forced to use her MasterCard to pay for daily expenses. Over time, she accumulated over $3,000 in credit card debt.
Steve and Marie filed complaints, including one to the Better Business Bureau, but the account remained restricted for weeks.
ABC11 Troubleshooter Gets Involved
Frustrated, the mother and son reached out to ABC11 Eyewitness News Troubleshooter Diane Wilson, hoping she could help. “The bank didn’t help us, so we thought maybe the news could,” Green said.
Once the Troubleshooter contacted Capital One, the bank quickly took action. In a statement, Capital One said the issue had been resolved directly with the customer, adding that security is a top priority and they take action whenever they detect unusual activity.
Case Closed: Account Closed and Money Returned
Finally, after nearly three months, Capital One closed the account and sent Marie Green a check for the full amount of over $7,700. She then opened a new account at a local bank, deposited the check, and was able to access her money again.
“I appreciate you helping. I really do,” Green told the Troubleshooter. “We weren’t able to get help anywhere else.”
What started as a simple mobile deposit turned into months of stress for a 100-year-old woman just trying to pay her bills. Thanks to local news intervention, Marie Green got her money back and found a better banking solution. Her story highlights the importance of elderly-friendly banking services, clearer communication with family caregivers, and better sensitivity from financial institutions when dealing with senior citizens.
