Send Ben: Local woman at a crossroads after losing her Red Cross debit card

JACKSONVILLE, FL. — Action News Jax is getting answers for a local woman who barely has a roof over her head.

“You had a strong storm come through here and did this?” Action News Jax Ben Becker said, pointing to the damaged roof of Jocelyn Swift.

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“Yes,” said Swift.

There are massive holes in the ceiling, and a blue tarp has been draped across much of her roof since August 2019.

Swift turned to the Red Cross for help, and they gave Swift a $545 debit card in her time of need.

However, soon after she received the debit card, Swift misplaced it while packing up her belongings and called the organization to cancel it.

Fortunately, the debit card eventually turned up but Swift couldn’t reach anyone at the Red Cross for months to re-activate it.

“They gave me a number to call and I’ve been calling that number, calling that number and I only get a voice mail,” Swift said.

The charity is famous for stepping in during times of crisis. Since July 2019, the local chapter of the Red Cross gave out more than $1.3 million in aid to 1,717 families.

Becker called the Red Cross to get Swift some quick answers.

The Red Cross told Becker it had made some changes to its computer system and after tracking down Swift’s case, a caseworker sent her a text message that said “your Red Cross card is active.”

A Red Cross spokesperson sent Becker a text saying it will work on how to “make improvements for the next time this happens.”

“What made you call me?,” Becker asked Swift.

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“I called you, Ben, because I have seen how you were helping other people and me being a nobody I thought I could get some help. I’ve been doing a lot of praying, a lot of praying,” says Swift.

The Red Cross suggests the best way to keep your money safe is to have it deposited directly into your account.

Cox Media Group