TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — If you have storm damage, you may receive insurance checks, FEMA aid, or financial help from family or friends, but could that cause problems with your bank account?

Geoff Hacker of Hillsborough County said that happened to him after his house flooded during Hurricane Helene. He said he has flood insurance, and FEMA sent him a check for an initial payment for emergency assistance.

While he waited for money from insurance, a family member sent him a check to help him get started with repairs.

Hacker said after the check was deposited, a computer within his bank, Fifth Third Bank, flagged possible fraudulent activity, and his bank account was locked. He said he got nowhere with bank customer service.

“You locked my account,” he said he told customer service. “I have no access. Some bills that were being paid are not going to be paid.

“What’s going to happen to my direct deposits, I don’t have that many, and they’re like, ‘we don’t know.’ It’s all fraud. And I’m like who can call and they go ‘you can now only call the fraud department.'”

Hacker said it took days of back and forth, and now he’s finally able to access that money, but now there are repercussions that continue.

All bills paid with a debit card are bouncing because he has to get a new debit card due to the fraud accusations.

He said he wants to share his story in hopes that banks will take notice and install safeguards so that when technology flags fraud, a person will double check, especially after natural disasters.

A spokesperson for Fifth Third Bank sent this statement:

Any actions taken by the bank were not related to any FEMA issued funds. The bank has been in contact with the customer and we are working to resolve this matter amicably. The Bank is passionate about helping customers impacted by the storms through support and hardship assistance. Resources and support are included on our website’s emergency support page: https://www.53.com/content/fifth-third/en/alerts/hurricane-support.html.”