CS-2026-1473 - BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. v. TANGELA EKHOFF

What's This Case About?

Let’s get one thing straight: Bank of America is suing a woman in Tulsa for $8,345.22 — not because she robbed a branch, not because she forged a check, but because she didn’t pay her credit card bill. And get this — the bank is charging her 28.24% interest. That’s not a typo. You could borrow money from a loan shark in a back-alley dice game and maybe, maybe, get a better rate.

Meet Tangelia Ekhoff — just a regular person living at 564 E 48th St N in Tulsa, Oklahoma, trying to survive in a world where avocado toast costs $16 and rent eats your soul. At some point, like most of us, she opened a Bank of America Visa Signature credit card. Probably thought, “Hey, I’ll use this for emergencies,” or “I need new tires and the dog ate my wallet.” We’ve all been there. The card had a credit limit of $6,800 — not a fortune, but enough to keep the lights on, the fridge stocked, and maybe even cover a surprise vet bill. But somewhere between July and August of 2024, things went sideways. The statement shows a balance of $8,370.22 — already over the credit limit — and not a single payment made in months. The last payment? December 6, 2024. After that? Radio silence. No checks in the mail. No online transfers. Just a growing debt that the bank finally gave up on and “charged off” on August 31, 2024 — which is banker-speak for “we’ve stopped pretending you’re going to pay us back.”

Now, before you start side-eyeing Tangelia, let’s talk about what this statement actually shows. She wasn’t racking up new charges — no shopping sprees, no tropical vacations. The statement from July 5 to August 4, 2024? Zero purchases. Zero fees. Just one thing: $198.29 in interest. That’s right — in a single billing cycle, the bank added nearly $200 in interest to a balance that was already out of control. And that APR? 28.24%. Variable, baby. And if she’d been late on a payment? Oh, it could’ve jumped to 29.99%. Because nothing says “we care about our customers” like charging them nearly 30% interest on debt they can’t afford.

The kicker? That little warning box on the statement: “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.” Then they do the math: if she paid only the minimum, it would take 20 years to pay off $8,370.22 — and she’d end up shelling out over $21,000 in total. Let that sink in. She’d pay more than double the original debt just in interest. And the bank? They put that right there on the bill. In bold. Like it’s a helpful tip. “Hey, by the way, if you’re poor, this will destroy you — but have a nice day!”

So now, in January 2026, Bank of America — a financial giant with assets in the trillions — has hired a law firm, Nelson and Kennard, LLP (based in Colorado, because of course they outsource debt collection), to sue Tangelia for $8,345.22. Why not the full $8,370.22? Maybe they knocked off a few bucks for “settlement purposes.” Or maybe it’s a clerical error. Either way, they want their money — plus court costs, sheriff’s fees, process server fees, and “such other and further relief as the Court may deem proper.” Translation: we want everything we can get, and then some.

Legally, this is a “breach of contract” case — which sounds dramatic, but it really just means: you signed up for a credit card, agreed to pay it back, and didn’t. That’s it. No fraud. No theft. Just a broken promise to pay. And while that’s technically a legal wrong, it’s also… life. People lose jobs. Get sick. Have kids. Face emergencies. And in America, where 60% of adults live paycheck to paycheck, a single missed payment can spiral into a debt avalanche — especially when the interest rate is higher than your credit score.

Now, is $8,345.22 a lot? For Bank of America, it’s a rounding error. For Tangelia Ekhoff, it could be life-altering. That’s a car. A year of rent. A semester of college. Or, in court terms, a judgment that could lead to wage garnishment, frozen bank accounts, and a credit score in the basement for years. And for what? A debt that ballooned because the bank kept charging interest on interest on interest — like a financial hydra that grows two heads for every one you chop off.

Here’s the real tea: Bank of America didn’t try to work with her. No mention of hardship programs. No offer to lower payments. No call from a compassionate human saying, “Hey, we see you’re struggling — let’s figure this out.” Nope. They waited until the debt was charged off, then lawyered up and filed a lawsuit. And they’re doing it in Tulsa County District Court — a place where people show up in sweatpants to fight over broken fences and dog bites. Now it’s hosting a one-sided battle between a woman and one of the largest banks in the world.

Are we rooting for Tangelia? Honestly? We’re rooting for common sense. We’re rooting for a system where people aren’t financially euthanized for falling behind on a credit card during a medical crisis or a layoff. We’re rooting for banks to stop pretending they’re victims when they design credit products to trap people in cycles of debt. And we’re rooting for someone — anyone — to stand up in that courtroom and say, “Wait, y’all charged her $200 in interest in one month? On a card she wasn’t even using? And now you’re suing her? Really?”

But let’s be real: this case will probably end with a default judgment. Tangelia might not show up. Might not have a lawyer. Might not even know she’s being sued. And Bank of America will win. They’ll get their $8,345.22, plus fees, and add it to the pile of millions they collect every year from people just like her.

So the next time you get a glossy credit card offer in the mail with “0% intro APR!” and “no annual fee!”, remember Tangelia Ekhoff. Remember that the fine print hides a trapdoor. And remember that in America, owing money to a bank isn’t just a financial problem — sometimes, it’s a court date.

We’re entertainers, not lawyers. But even we know this: when a bank charges 28% interest and then sues someone for falling behind, the real breach of contract isn’t on the credit agreement. It’s on the idea that this system is fair.

Case Overview

$8,345 Demand Petition

Jurisdiction

District Court of Tulsa County, Oklahoma

Filing Attorney

Ashton Dewayne Sears

Nelson and Kennard, LLP

Relief Sought

$8,345 Monetary

Plaintiffs

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. business
Rep: Nelson and Kennard, LLP

Defendants

TANGELA EKHOFF individual

Claims

#	Cause of Action	Description
1	breach of contract	failed to make required monthly payments

Petition Text

2,321 words

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF TULSA COUNTY STATE OF OKLAHOMA BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., Plaintiff, vs. TANGELA EKHOFF Defendant(s). Case No. 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 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX6888. 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 8/31/24, the balance due at time of default was $8,370.22. 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 $8,345.22. 7. The date of the last payment made by the Defendant(s) is December 6, 2024. 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), TANGELA EKHOFF in the amount of $8,345.22, 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 8, 2026 Nelson and Kennard, LLP By: [Signature] 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 15204 WILMINGTON, DE 19850 TANGELA EKHOFF 564 E 48TH ST N TULSA OK 74126-3262 Account Summary/Payment Information Previous Balance $8,171.93 Payments and Other Credits $0.00 Purchases and Adjustments $0.00 Fees Charged $0.00 Interest Charged $198.29 New Balance Total $8,370.22 Total Credit Line $6,800.00 Total Credit Available $0.00 Cash Credit Line $680.00 Portion of Credit Available for Cash $0.00 Statement Closing Date 08/04/2024 Days in Billing Cycle 31 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# [REDACTED] 6888 July 5 - August 4, 2024 New Balance Total $8,370.22 Current Payment Due $280.00 Past Due Amount $1,915.00 Total Minimum Payment Due $2,195.00 Payment Due Date 09/01/2024 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 $40.00 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>20 years</td> <td>$21,596.00</td> </tr> </table> If you would like information about credit counseling services, call 866.300.5238. BANK OF AMERICA P.O. BOX 851001 DALLAS TX 75285-1001 TANGELA EKHOFF 564 E 48TH ST N TULSA OK 74126-3262 Account Number: [REDACTED] 6888 Payment Due Date 09/01/2024 New Balance Total $8,370.22 Total Minimum Payment Due $2,195.00 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 11:59 p.m. ET. 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 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 colspan="6"><b>Interest Charged</b></td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>08/04</td> <td>08/04</td> <td>INTEREST CHARGED ON PURCHASES</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>198.29</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>08/04</td> <td>08/04</td> <td>INTEREST CHARGED ON BALANCE TRANSFERS</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>0.00</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>08/04</td> <td>08/04</td> <td>INTEREST CHARGED ON DIR DEP&CHK CASHADV</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>0.00</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>08/04</td> <td>08/04</td> <td>INTEREST CHARGED ON BANK CASH ADVANCES</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>0.00</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="6">TOTAL INTEREST CHARGED FOR THIS PERIOD</td> <td>$198.29</td> </tr> </table> Total fees charged in 2024 $229.00 Total interest charged in 2024 $1,423.47 Interest Charge Calculation Your Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is the annual interest rate on your account. <table> <tr> <th>Type of Balance</th> <th>Annual Percentage Rate</th> <th>Promotional Transaction Type</th> <th>Promotional Offer ID</th> <th>Promotional Rate End Date</th> <th>Balance Subject to Interest Rate</th> <th>Interest Charges by Transaction Type</th> </tr> <tr> <td>Purchases</td> <td>28.24%V</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>$ 8,267.47</td> <td>$ 198.29</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 You're a valued customer and we want you to know that we haven't received your current payment due. Please send your payment due today. If you've already mailed it, thank you. 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. Your Reward Summary <table> <tr> <th>.00 Base Cash Back Earned</th> <th></th> </tr> <tr> <th>.00 Total Cash Back Available</th> <th></th> </tr> </table> Make the most of your rewards program today! Better Money Habits What are your financial goals? Better Money Habits helps you make sense of your money and take charge of your financial life. You have the power to pursue your savings, credit and general money goals with education, tools -- and confidence Scan this code to get started today at BetterMoneyHabits.com! When you use the QRC feature certain information is collected from your mobile device for business purposes.