Teacher's car money stolen from bank

A furious St Catherine-based teacher is demanding a local bank reimburse her over $600,000, which she said was withdrawn from her account without her knowledge or consent.

Janiek Johnson, of Point Hill, St Catherine, explained that she took out a loan and deposited a $1.1 million cheque in her account, which she intended to use to purchase a car to operate as a taxi.

She then withdrew $450,000 to pay down on the vehicle.

"On February 7, I went in the bank again to withdraw $200,000 to pay for the import licence for the vehicle. The teller told me that there was insufficient funds in my account. I was like, 'What are you saying to me?' I was so angry they took me to the operations manger," she shared.

She said checks by the bank revealed that $607,000 was withdrawn from her account at Kingston and St Andrew-based bank machines between January 16 and 23.

However, Johnson said she did not make those withdrawals, and she is the only one with access to her card and PIN number.

"I don't even know some of these locations where the money was withdrawn. Even if me live with a man, him nah know me PIN because it's not a relationship card, it's my card. Me really stressed, can't eat, can't sleep, nothing," she lamented.

On February 20, the bank informed Johnson, via a letter, that it would not take responsibility for her loss.

"We have examined the transactions, and have concluded that they were done with your card and PIN ... The bank cannot consider itself liable for this unfortunate loss, and therefore we are not in a position to make a recommendation for refund," an excerpt read.

The bank further instructed Johnson to report the matter to the police, which she did, at the Fraud Squad. The police have obtained footage from the machines but the investigation is yet to bear fruit.

A frustrated Johnson said she has written a six-page grievance letter to the bank's head office, seeking to appeal their decision, but she is yet to receive a response.

In the meantime, Johnson said storage fee for the vehicle is mounting and she has no money to get a lawyer.

Efforts to contact the bank for a comment proved futile.