CS-2026-146 - Bank of America, N.A. v. Justin L Stevenson

What's This Case About?

Let’s cut straight to the drama: Bank of America is suing a guy in Oklahoma for $4,133.70 — not because he robbed a branch, not because he forged a check, not even because he went full Wolf of Wall Street and maxed out his card buying yachts and cocaine — but because he stopped paying his credit card bill. And now, in the grand tradition of petty civil court theater, one of the largest financial institutions in the world has sent a lawyer to file a lawsuit over less than five grand. That’s right. A national bank, worth hundreds of billions, has lawyered up to chase down a debt that, for some people, wouldn’t even cover their annual avocado toast budget.

Meet Justin L. Stevenson, a resident of Guthrie, Oklahoma — a quiet town north of Oklahoma City where the biggest scandal might usually be someone stealing a lawn gnome or forgetting to mow their front yard. Justin, according to court records, once had a Bank of America Visa Signature credit card, account number ending in 7266 (because nothing says “financial intrigue” like a four-digit suffix). At some point, he opened this account, presumably to buy things like groceries, gas, or maybe that one impulse Amazon purchase we all regret at 2 a.m. But somewhere along the way, the payments stopped. The last one? June 20, 2025 — which, let’s note, is after the account was already charged off in March 2024. That’s right. Bank of America declared the debt uncollectible nine months before Justin made another payment. So either he’s a ghost making posthumous payments, or the bank’s timeline is a little… fuzzy. But hey, we’re entertainers, not accountants.

By the time the account got charged off, the balance was $5,128.70. That’s over $500 above his total credit limit of $4,500 — meaning Justin wasn’t just in the red; he was doing a full Hamilton in crimson ink. The final statement, dated February 7, 2024, shows a “New Balance Total” of $5,014.95, with $1,071 already past due and a minimum payment demand of $1,276 — more than some people’s entire monthly rent. The interest rate? A cool 28.24% for purchases, variable, because of course it is. And if you missed a payment? Welcome to the Penalty APR of 29.99%, where your debt grows faster than mold in a forgotten Tupperware.

The statement itself is a masterclass in financial dread. It warns Justin — in bold, no less — that if he only pays the minimum, it will take 18 years to pay off the balance, and he’ll end up shelling out nearly $13,000 in total. That’s triple the original balance! It’s like a horror movie where the monster keeps getting stronger the longer you avoid it. And yet, despite this crystal-clear math, the payments dried up. By January 27, 2026, Bank of America had had enough. They filed a petition in Logan County District Court, represented by Ashton Dewayne Sears of Nelson and Kennard, LLP — a debt collection law firm that, fun fact, has the tagline “We collect what you’re owed.” Irony? Delicious.

The legal claim? Breach of contract. Fancy term, simple idea: Justin agreed to pay, he didn’t, so now the bank wants the court to step in and say, “Hey, Justin, you actually have to pay.” No fraud, no theft, no conspiracy — just a broken promise to a credit card company. The relief sought? $4,133.70 in damages, plus court costs. Now, is that a lot? In the grand scheme of credit card debt, not really. It’s less than the average American credit card balance. It’s about the cost of a used car down payment, or a solid mid-tier TV setup. But for a single individual in Oklahoma, it’s not nothing — especially if you’re already in the hole.

What’s wild here isn’t the amount. It’s the machinery. A multi-trillion-dollar bank, with branches on every corner and a logo that screams “establishment,” is now using the public court system — your tax-funded courthouse — to collect a debt that likely started as a few missed payments and snowballed into this legal showdown. They’ve got attorneys, exhibits, formal petitions, and a full paper trail, all for a sum that wouldn’t even make a dent in their quarterly profits. And Justin? He’s presumably sitting in his house on Shady Creek Circle, wondering why the court papers showed up in his mailbox.

Now, let’s talk about the absurdity. The most laughable part? The statement says his credit line was “in a restricted status and not available for use” — but the balance was still over the limit. So Bank of America let him go over, charged him fees, piled on interest, restricted the card, and then got mad when he didn’t pay. It’s like locking someone in a room with a vending machine, charging them $10 for a bag of chips, and then suing them for not paying the snack tax.

We’re also not blind to the bigger picture. Credit card companies make trillions in interest and fees every year. They design their statements to confuse, their minimum payments to trap, and their APRs to punish. That 18-year payoff timeline isn’t a warning — it’s a business model. And yet, when the system produces a default, it’s the consumer who gets sued, not the institution that engineered the debt spiral.

Do we think Justin should pay what he owes? Probably. He used the card, he agreed to the terms (even if he didn’t read the 47-page fine print), and yes, borrowing money means eventually paying it back. But do we think it’s hilarious that a bank this big needs a judge to collect less than five grand? Absolutely. This isn’t The Social Network. This is The Statement of Account, and the only thing going viral is the interest rate.

So where do we stand? We’re rooting for accountability — but not the kind that involves a law firm in Colorado suing an Oklahoma man over a credit card bill that ballooned thanks to fees and compound interest. We’re rooting for a world where banks don’t need to file lawsuits over amounts that could be settled with a single customer service call. We’re rooting for financial literacy, for fair lending, and for a little less drama in the Logan County District Court.

But mostly? We’re just here for the receipts — literally. And wow, do these receipts have interest charges.

Case Overview

Petition

Jurisdiction

District Court, Oklahoma

Filing Attorney

Ashton Dewayne Sears

Nelson and Kennard, LLP

Relief Sought

$4,134 Monetary

Plaintiffs

Bank of America, N.A. business
Rep: Nelson and Kennard, LLP

Defendants

Justin L Stevenson individual

Claims

#	Cause of Action	Description
1	breach of contract	failure to make required monthly payments on a credit account

Petition Text

2,262 words

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF LOGAN COUNTY STATE OF OKLAHOMA BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., Plaintiff, vs. JUSTIN L STEVENSON Defendant(s). Case No. CS-26-146 PETITION COMES NOW the Plaintiff, by and through counsel, Nelson and Kennard, LLP, and herewith alleges the following and seeks redress as hereafter delineated. 1. Plaintiff is a national banking association, which transacts business within the State of Oklahoma. 2. Venue is proper in this County, as the Defendant(s) reside(s) in this County at the commencement of this action. 3. The last four (4) digits of the Defendant’s account number, used by the current creditor as of the date of default are XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX7266. 4. Plaintiff’s claim arises when the Defendant(s) opened a credit account and failed to make the required monthly payments as agreed. The credit account charged off for non-payment on 3/30/24, the balance due at time of default was $5,128.70. A true and accurate copy of the last periodic statement provided to the Defendant(s) prior to charge-off is attached hereto as Exhibit 1. 5. The Defendant(s) breached the Contract by failing to make the required periodic payments. 6. As a direct and proximate result of the Defendant(s) default, the total amount of debt claimed is $4,133.70. 7. The date of the last payment made by the Defendant(s) is June 20, 2025. 8. Plaintiff seeks court costs, and for such further relief as the Court may deem proper in the premises. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. prays for judgment against the Defendant(s), JUSTIN L STEVENSON in the amount of $4,133.70, plus all costs herein expended, including but not limited to, court costs, sheriff's fees, and special process server fees; and for such other and further relief as the Court may deem proper in the premises. Dated this January 27, 2026 Nelson and Kennard, LLP By: ________________________________ Ashton Dewayne Sears, OBA # 35737 12596 W. Bayaud Ave., Ste. 120 Lakewood, CO 80228 Phone: 866-920-2295 [email protected] Attorney for the Plaintiff EXHIBIT 1 BANK OF AMERICA P.O. BOX 15284 WILMINGTON, DE 19850 JUSTIN L STEVENSON 1003 SHADY CREEK CIR GUTHRIE OK 73044-4519 Account Summary/Payment Information Previous Balance $4,857.95 Payments and Other Credits $0.00 Purchases and Adjustments $0.00 Fees Charged $39.00 Interest Charged $118.00 New Balance Total $5,014.95 Total Credit Line $4,500.00 Total Credit Available $0.00 Cash Credit Line $200.00 Portion of Credit Available for Cash $0.00 Statement Closing Date 02/07/2024 Days in Billing Cycle 31 New Balance Total $5,014.95 Current Payment Due $205.00 Past Due Amount $1,071.00 Total Minimum Payment Due $1,276.00 Payment Due Date 03/04/2024 Late Payment Warning: If we do not receive your Total Minimum Payment by the date listed above, you may have to pay a late fee of up to $39.00 and your APRs may be increased up to the Penalty APR of 29.99%. Total Minimum Payment Warning: If you make only the Total Minimum Payment each period, you will pay more in interest and it will take you longer to pay off your balance. For example: <table> <tr> <th>If you make no additional charges using this card and each month you pay</th> <th>You will payoff the balance shown on this statement in about</th> <th>And you will end up paying an estimated total of</th> </tr> <tr> <td>Only the Total Minimum Payment</td> <td>18 years</td> <td>$12,920.00</td> </tr> </table> If you would like information about credit counseling services, call 866.300.5238. Customer Service Information: www.bankofamerica.com 1.800.421.2110 Mail billing inquiries to: Bank of America P.O. Box 672050 Dallas TX 75267-2050 Mail payment to: Bank of America P.O. Box 851001 Dallas TX 75285-1001 Visa Signature® Account# 7266 January 8 - February 7, 2024 BANK OF AMERICA P.O. BOX 851001 DALLAS TX 75285-1001 JUSTIN L STEVENSON 1003 SHADY CREEK CIR GUTHRIE OK 73044-4519 Account Number: 7266 Payment Due Date 03/04/2024 New Balance Total $5,014.95 Total Minimum Payment Due $1,276.00 Enter payment amount $ For change of address/phone number, see reverse side. Make your payment online at www.bankofamerica.com or Mail this coupon along with your check payable to: Bank of America IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ACCOUNT PAYING INTEREST - We will not charge interest on Purchases on the next statement if you pay the New Balance Total in full by the Payment Due Date, and you had paid in full by the previous Payment Due Date. We will begin charging interest on Balance Transfers and Cash Advances on the transaction date. TOTAL INTEREST CHARGE COMPUTATION - Interest Charges accrue and are compounded on a daily basis. To determine the Interest Charges, we multiply each Balance Subject to Interest Rate by its applicable Daily Periodic Rate and that result is multiplied by the number of days in the billing cycle. To determine the total Interest Charge for the billing cycle, we add the Periodic Rate Interest Charges together. A Daily Periodic Rate is calculated by dividing an Annual Percentage Rate by 365. HOW WE ALLOCATE YOUR PAYMENTS - Payments are allocated to posted balances. If your account has balances with different APRs, we will allocate the amount of your payment equal to the Total Minimum Payment Due to the lowest APR balances first (including transactions made after this statement). Payment amounts in excess of your Total Minimum Payment Due will be applied to balances with higher APRs before balances with lower APRs. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PAYMENTS BY PHONE - When using the optional Pay-by-Phone service, you authorize us to initiate an electronic payment from your account at the financial institution you designate. You must authorize the amount and timing of each payment. For your protection, we will ask for security information. To cancel, call us before the scheduled payment date. Same-day payments cannot be edited or canceled. YOUR CREDIT LINES - The Total Credit Line is the amount of credit available for the account; however, only a portion of that is available for Bank Cash Advances. The Cash Credit Line is that amount you have available for Bank Cash Advances. Generally, Bank Cash Advances consist of ATM Cash Advances, Over the Counter (OTC) Cash Advances, Same-Day Online Cash Advances, Overdraft Protection Cash Advances, Cash Equivalents, and applicable transaction fees. MISCELLANEOUS - Promotional Rate End Date: This date is based on a future statement closing date. If you change your payment due date, this date could change. The New Balance Total which appears on this statement is not a payoff amount and may be subject to additional interest charges when you pay in full after your statement closing date. Virtual cards are the digital form of your eligible physical credit cards stored within a digital wallet. © 2024 Bank of America Corporation PAYMENTS - We credit mailed payments as of the date received, if the payment is: (1) received by 5 p.m. local time at the address shown on the remittance portion of your monthly statement; (2) paid with a check drawn in U.S. dollars on a U.S. financial institution or a U.S. dollar money order; and (3) sent in the return envelope with only the remittance portion of your statement accompanying it. Payments received by mail after 5 p.m. local time at the remittance address on any day including the Payment Due Date, but that otherwise meet the above requirements, will be credited as of the next day. Payments made online or by phone will be credited as of the date of receipt if made by 5 p.m. Central. Credit for any other payments may be delayed up to five days. Cash payments made with our tellers will only be accepted with a valid identification (ID). No payment shall operate as an accord and satisfaction without the prior written approval of one of our Senior Officers. We process most payment checks electronically by using the information found on your check. Each check authorizes us to create a one-time electronic funds transfer (or process it as a check or paper draft). Funds may be withdrawn from your account as soon as the same day we receive your payment. Checks are not returned to you. If you have authorized us to pay your credit card bill automatically from your savings or checking account with us, you can stop the payment on any amount you think is wrong. To stop payment, your letter must reach us at least three business days before the automatic payment is scheduled to occur. CALCULATION OF BALANCES SUBJECT TO INTEREST RATE Average Daily Balance Method (including new Purchases): We calculate separate Balances Subject to an Interest Rate for Purchases and for each Introductory or Promotional Offer balance consisting of Purchases. We do this by: (1) calculating a daily balance for each day in the billing cycle; (2) adding all the daily balances together; and (3) dividing the sum of the daily balances by the number of days in the billing cycle. To calculate the daily balance for each day in this statement’s billing cycle, we: (1) take the beginning balance; (2) add an amount equal to the applicable Daily Periodic Rate multiplied by the previous day’s daily balance; (3) add new Purchases, new Account Fees, and new Transaction Fees; and (4) subtract applicable payments and credits. If any daily balance is less than zero we treat it as zero. Average Balance Method (including new Balance Transfers and new Cash Advances): We calculate separate Balances Subject to an Interest Rate for Balance Transfers, Cash Advances, and for each Introductory or Promotional Offer balance consisting of Balance Transfers or Cash Advances. We do this by: (1) calculating a daily balance for each day in this statement’s billing cycle; (2) calculating a daily balance for each day prior to this statement’s billing cycle that had a “Pre-Cycle balance” - a Pre-Cycle balance is a Balance Transfer or a Cash Advance with a transaction date prior to this statement’s billing cycle but with a posting date within this statement’s billing cycle; (3) adding all the daily balances together; and (4) dividing the sum of the daily balances by the number of days in this statement’s billing cycle. To calculate the daily balance for each day in this statement’s billing cycle, we: (1) take the beginning balance; (2) add an amount equal to the applicable Daily Periodic Rate multiplied by the previous day’s daily balance; (3) add new Balance Transfers, new Cash Advances and Transaction Fees; and (4) subtract applicable payments and credits. If any daily balance is less than zero we treat it as zero. To calculate a daily balance for each day prior to this statement’s billing cycle that had a Pre-Cycle balance: (1) we take the beginning balance attributable solely to Pre-Cycle balance (which will be zero on the transaction date of the first Pre-Cycle balance); (2) add an amount equal to the applicable Daily Periodic Rate multiplied by the previous day’s daily balance; (3) and add only the applicable Pre-Cycle balances and their related Transaction Fees. We exclude from this calculation all transactions posted in previous billing cycles. For the complete terms and conditions of your account, consult your Credit Card Agreement. This account is issued and administered by Bank of America. Bank of America is a registered trademark of Bank of America Corporation. Transactions <table> <tr> <th>Transaction Date</th> <th>Posting Date</th> <th>Description</th> <th>Reference Number</th> <th>Account Number</th> <th>Amount</th> <th>Total</th> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="2">02/04</td> <td rowspan="2">02/05</td> <td>Fees<br>LATE FEE FOR PAYMENT DUE<br>TOTAL FEES FOR THIS PERIOD</td> <td></td> <td>7266</td> <td>39.00</td> <td>$39.00</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="6"></td> </tr> <tr> <th colspan="5">Interest Charged</th> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>02/07</td> <td>02/07</td> <td>INTEREST CHARGED ON PURCHASES</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>118.00</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>02/07</td> <td>02/07</td> <td>INTEREST CHARGED ON BALANCE TRANSFERS</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>0.00</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>02/07</td> <td>02/07</td> <td>INTEREST CHARGED ON DIR DEP&CHK CASHADV</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>0.00</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>02/07</td> <td>02/07</td> <td>INTEREST CHARGED ON BANK CASH ADVANCES</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>0.00</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="5">TOTAL INTEREST CHARGED FOR THIS PERIOD</td> <td></td> <td>$118.00</td> </tr> </table> <table> <tr> <th>Total fees charged in 2024</th> <th>$78.00</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Total interest charged in 2024</th> <th>$232.28</th> </tr> </table> Interest Charge Calculation Your Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is the annual interest rate on your account. <table> <tr> <th>Type of Balance</th> <th>Annual Percentage Rate</th> <th>Promotional Transaction Type</th> <th>Promotional Offer ID</th> <th>Promotional Rate End Date</th> <th>Balance Subject to Interest Rate</th> <th>Interest Charges by Transaction Type</th> </tr> <tr> <td>Purchases</td> <td>28.24%V</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>$ 4,919.78</td> <td>$ 118.00</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Balance Transfers</td> <td>28.24%V</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>$ 0.00</td> <td>$ 0.00</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Direct Deposit and Check Cash Advances</td> <td>29.99%V</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>$ 0.00</td> <td>$ 0.00</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Bank Cash Advances</td> <td>29.99%V</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>$ 0.00</td> <td>$ 0.00</td> </tr> </table> APR Type Definitions: Daily Interest Rate Type: V = Variable Rate (rate may vary) Important Messages Your statement balance exceeds the Total Credit Line. To ensure uninterrupted use of your account, please make a payment to bring your balance under the Total Credit Line. There is no fee for being over your Total Credit Line. When this statement was created, the account’s Credit Line was in a restricted status and not available for use. You can request a copy of this statement in either Braille or Large Print by calling 800.432.1000 or going to bankofamerica.com and enter Visually Impaired Access from the home page. We know you can bank anywhere. Thank you for choosing us.