A few years ago, my bank account was totally wiped out. I don’t know who did it. I don’t know why. All I know is that I went to the ATM one morning, and I was 500 bones in the red. The bastid had taken all of my money, plus some. I don’t have much to begin with, so when someone stole my money, I was completely heartbroken. I was devistated. I was angry. I was scared.
After many phone calls, trips to my local bank, and waiting patiently for two weeks, my money was back in my account. I was relieved, somewhat.
That was a few years ago. To this day, I still check my online banking at least ten times a day. TEN times. A day. Sometimes more, if it’s been stressful. I have to check it. I have to make sure that nobody is trying to take my money. I have to make sure that if something changes, I know then and there what it is, why it changed, and how much money is left. I never want to be in the situation I was in ever again.
:: :: :: Red :: :: ::
at any given point i can tell you, almost to the cent, how much is in my accounts, marks account and the joint account, yet like you i seem to be forever checking it…i think mine goes back to a few years ago when we have 5 parts of bugger all and i was forever worried about whether we had enough from one pay to the next…never had my account cleaned out though thank god! if that ever happened every cent i had would be under my mattress and i’d be on it with a shotgun!
Comment by anonymum — September 26, 2007 @ 12:54 pm
oH Red, that’s horrible. I can understand why you would have to check that all the time. What a horrible invasion! I’d freak out if someone emptied my checking account. Mum, I love your comment “on it with a shotgun” — I check mine due to lack of funds these days. In fact, I balanced the checkbook last night and the husband freaked a bit when he looked over to see where all the cash went.
I wonder if he’s still talking to me? Hmph…..
Comment by BELLA — September 27, 2007 @ 11:50 am
and you’re the only one in the house who spends money bella?
men! can’t live with ‘em…can’t kill ‘em!
Comment by anonymum — September 27, 2007 @ 12:06 pm
I’m a bit of a freak with my money too – every cent is accounted for in Money – categorized, subcategorized, etc. Very anal retentive of me… Never had my money or identity stolen though, but it’s a real concern these days. I can’t imagine how bad I’d freak out, knowing someone else was pawing through my cash. Sick fucks – stealing is one of those things I completely don’t understand.
Comment by observantbystander — September 27, 2007 @ 12:08 pm
This just happened to me a few months ago. I took a trip to MS to visit my mother, and at the same time my husband was out of town on a business/training trip. When we got home I discovered (through online banking) that we were seriously in the red. When I looked closer, I noticed two withdraws (one from checking/one from savings), in which ‘exact’ amounts drained my accounts. Meaning, whoever stole my money knew exactly how much was there to take.
Come to find out, this happened through the main bank’s drive-thru window. Somehow, the thief got a hold of my checking and savings account numbers. Then, he/she filled out withdraw slips for each. But here’s the kicker. This person had to push that little buzzer and ask the bank teller how much money was in each account before he/she wiped me out. The bank teller gave out this information without the tiniest bit of suspicion, and then accepted BOTH withdraw slips with my account numbers WRITTEN in (not pre-typed). They didn’t even check to see if the signature matched mine on file.
Unbelievable!
Needless to say, the bank immediately refunded my money. They knew that it was their error. If it wasn’t such a pain in the ass to do, I’d switch banks. But where I live, there’s little other choice unless you don’t mind driving 30 miles to reach the nearest branch.
Nowadays, I’m excessively nervous about writing checks because I keep thinking that this is how my account number was pilfered. I try to only write checks for my mortgage now, and I’m sure to wrap it in two sheets of copy paper before putting it in the mail. The envelope, of course, is glued and taped shut.
Comment by ~ Stacy ~ — September 27, 2007 @ 6:26 pm
i’m the same way and i wasn’t even robbed! i’m so sorry that happened to you sissy. that sucks!
i worked in a bank for over 4 years so i was spoiled and got to look at my balance 1000 times a day if i wanted to. now i only look 3 or 4 times, so i guess that’s an improvement.
Comment by joebec — September 27, 2007 @ 8:58 pm
MUM, CAN I GET AN AMEN! WHOOO-WHOOO! I LOVE YOU. HAVE I TOLD YOU THAT? Obviously, you got my back girl. Gosh, that made me smile! Yeah, I’m the guilty one at the Wal*mart and the Target, but I sure did see a lot of ATM withdrawls and I didn’t say BOO! I love it! Thank you!
Comment by Bella — September 28, 2007 @ 6:03 am
men seem to have a way of making it look like our fault regardless of what it is, thus we need to check each others backs now and again, so you’re welcome sweetie
Comment by anonymum — September 29, 2007 @ 8:26 am
Thank you again. Now that I look closer, there are MANY cash ATM withdrawls….. hmmm, maybe I should make him feel badly? I think so!
Comment by bellajournal — September 29, 2007 @ 10:32 am
hell yeah!!! you go girl
Comment by anonymum — September 29, 2007 @ 12:00 pm