Bank Of America Refunds John McDevitt, Veteran, Money From Debit Card Fraud Claim

After nearly two years of disputes with Bank of America, Afghanistan war veteran, John McDevitt will be refunded $25,000 in fraudulent debit charges, ABC News reports.

McDevitt, a U.S. Army reservist, was on leave in Greece in November 2010, when he said purchased a couple of drinks at an Athens club. He later noticed several debit card charges totaling about $25,000, and although he filed a fraud claim with Bank of America, representatives eventually said there was nothing they could do.

But on April 4, after months of complaints and protests, McDevitt received a call from a bank representative who told the veteran he'd receive the money, ABC News reports.

Earlier this month, McDevitt staged a protest outside a Bank of America branch in Utica, New York, where he held a sign that read: "A soldier that puts America first should have a bank that puts the soldier first," WKTV News reports.

The veteran mentioned the loss would impair his ability to pay for his daughter's wedding.

In jest, Consumerist writer Mary Beth Quirk wrote the positive outcome simply required a bit of patience.

"All it took was years of fighting, a little public flogging and collective indignation," she stated.

Although McDevitt's refund will undoubtedly improve his financial situation, a 2010 study suggests more than one-third of military families have trouble paying monthly bills, the Associated Press reports. And about 27 percent have credit card debts totaling more than $10,000.

What prompted Bank of America's change of heart? Read the full story at ABC News.