Funds Stolen from Volusia Veteran Group’s Bank Account in Significant Theft Incident

In Volusia County, Florida, an unsettling incident has unfolded as more than $3,000 has been reported stolen from an organization dedicated to supporting local military veterans and their families. This unfortunate event has prompted an investigation by authorities into the theft from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Auxiliary Post 8093, located in DeBary.

The loss came to light when members of the VFW Auxiliary realized that funds had been fraudulently withdrawn from their business savings account. Sadly, the discovery was made after the group had already missed the two-day window to reverse the electronic transaction, leaving them unable to recover the stolen money promptly.

“We don’t expect that kind of thing to happen when everything you do is to help somebody else,” expressed Ann Batson, the president of the VFW Auxiliary. Her words resonate with the frustration and disbelief felt by many within the organization, which prides itself on its dedication to aiding veterans.

The VFW Auxiliary is well-known in the community for its fundraising efforts, hosting events such as USO-style shows, banquets, and bingo nights. These activities are crucial in generating the funds necessary to support various programs designed to assist veterans.

Ann Batson has deep personal ties to the military, with family members having served in the Air Force, Navy, and Army. “We work hard, and all of the money goes back to the veterans in one way or another,” she emphasized, highlighting the commitment and passion behind the organization’s mission.

While reviewing the VFW Auxiliary’s monthly bank statement from Wells Fargo in October, Batson said the organization’s treasurer discovered an unauthorized transaction.

Bank records show $3,118 was withdrawn from their savings account through a “business to business ACH debit” tied to a Capital One account in the name of “Crystle Huggins.”

“We don’t know who she is. She’s not authorized on the account,” Batson said.

By the time the VFW Auxiliary contacted Wells Fargo to report the fraud, it was reportedly too late for the bank to reverse the transaction.

While consumers with personal bank accounts generally have up to 60 days to dispute transactions, owners of business bank accounts must report fraudulent activity promptly.

“We are not able to reimburse you because too much time passed before you notified us,” Wells Fargo wrote in a letter to the veterans group.

Wells Fargo cited a requirement established by Nacha, the National Automated Clearing House Association, which administers bank-to-bank electronic transfers over the ACH network.

“(We) need to return any unauthorized (Cash Concentration or Disbursement) payments to the originating back no later than the second business day after the transaction occurred,” the letter from Wells Fargo stated.

A Nacha spokesperson confirmed that its rules permit a bank to reject an unauthorized ACH transaction to a business account, typically for up to two days.

“Although the incidence of unauthorized ACH payments is very low, Nacha recommends that businesses monitor account activity at least daily and use bank-offered services, such as debit blocks and positive pay services, to help ensure that only authorized withdrawals post to their accounts,” the Nacha spokesperson told News 6.

VFW Auxiliary representatives said they tried to dispute the transaction with Capital One, the bank reportedly used by the thief to make the unauthorized withdrawal, but were unsuccessful.

A Capital One spokesperson did not respond to an inquiry from News 6.

Batson said at least three other fraudulent transactions were later attempted on the VFW Auxiliary’s savings account but were caught in time.

“I’d just like to get my hands on whoever’s doing it,” Batson said with a giggle. “Shake them up and choke the snot out of them.”

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the theft, an agency spokesperson confirmed.