Yes, in most cases, banks are legally required to provide provisional credit if their fraud investigation takes longer than 10 business days. This means the bank must temporarily deposit the disputed amount back into your checking account while they continue to review your claim. This consumer protection ensures you have access to your own money to pay bills, rent, and manage daily living expenses during the bank’s internal review period.
The bank must complete its investigation within 45 days. If they claim no fraud occurred, they will reverse the provisional credit, effectively taking the money back out of your account. If your bank unjustly reverses this credit despite clear evidence that you were a victim of fraud, you will strictly need a consumer protection and trial attorney like Balam Letona. Only through a lawsuit can you fight this unlawful reversal, compel the bank to permanently restore your funds, and hold them accountable in court.
