As usual on errand day, I stopped by the bank to withdraw our weekly cash allowance. I always do my business at the drive-thru. Not because I like the surprise of having my hand almost guillotined-off by the closing door of the canister holder... but because I never know when my bank is going to switch up their lobby hours again.
Anyhoo... as I've mentioned before, the bank now wants you to send in your driver's license or debit card. They say it's so they can look up your account. Suuuure. My account number is not on my driver's license. But it IS on the withdrawal slip I must submit. Anyhoo... I don't mind verifying my ID. Just don't lie to me about the reason you want it.
It was actually a quick transaction this time. The canister came back with a bank envelope containing my cash. As usual, I shook it upside down to retrieve my driver's license. It's a lot easier to make sure it's in there before leaving, rather than drive off and have to come back.
I HAD A BONUS ID IN MY ENVELOPE!
That's right. My driver's license was there. PLUS a debit card. At first I thought maybe they'd issued me a new one, but that always comes in the mail when it gets updated. I looked at the name on the debit card, and IT WASN'T MINE! Not unless my name is now Rodney SoAndSo. I promise you, it is not.
I immediately pushed the call button.
"Yes?"
"I have a debit card in my envelope that's not mine. I got my driver's license back. But I have an extra debit card, with a man's name on it. I'm sending it back in right now."
"Oh. Uh. Thank you."
I'm pretty sure it belonged to the guy who had pulled up at the drive-thru beside me. We were the only two vehicles there.
Imagine if I drove off with it, and didn't find it until I got home. The bank would have been closed by then. That guy would have no idea where his debit card went. Only that he sent it into the bank, and they didn't have it. It's not like I could have scammed him for money. Unless I sent Hick there to put in the debit card and ask for a withdrawal. Though I doubt they would do it without THE ACCOUNT NUMBER on a written withdrawal slip.
However... I'm pretty sure I could use that tap-tap-tappy feature to buy something like, oh, I don't know, perhaps SCRATCHERS at assorted convenience stores, before Rodney noticed money was coming out of his account.
You're welcome, Rodney SoAndSo. Val is not a thief.
Good reminder to check for the ID card submitted through those canister tubes. I'm one of those who is always anxious to drive away from drive-ups as soon as possible as I get stressed over people waiting in their cars behind me so thanks for a reminder to check for the submitted ID card. I seldom use the drive up tellers because I most always use those self serve ATM drive ups at the bank to deposit and withdraw checks/cash. Otherwise, I go inside my Credit Union if needed.
ReplyDeleteI used to go to the ATM in the wall on the back of the bank, but once I forgot my card in it, and once it ATE MY CARD. Both times, I had to wait until the next day, and make a separte trip to get it back, because the tellers told me the ATM is locked, and only can be opened once every 24 hours.
DeleteI submit my driver's license in the canister for that very reason. I figure I used my debit card more than my license, and would rather go without the license until I can retrieve it, or get a replacement if needed. Chances are slim that I will get pulled over for my driving habits. The only hardship might be if I had a casino trip planned.
I also get stressed about a line behind me, and try to make it quick. Sadly, my credit union has curtailed their lobby hours, and now I can only go on Fridays. Their drive-thru is too low for me to do business in T-Hoe.
That "tap and go" feature bothers the heck out of me. The limit here is $100 or less per transaction, so anyone finding my card could use it all over the city all day and bleed my account dry. It's why I'm so careful to always put it safely away after I use it anywhere. I'm very glad you are an honest woman.
ReplyDeleteI never wanted the tap-and-go, but now our cards come with it, according to The Pony. "I am happy you recognize my honesty," shouts Val, from the rarefied air atop her high horse!
DeleteSeems like it is easier to make a complaint than to give back something that doesn't belong to you. Says a lot about our society.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've noticed that. Now when I see a loose ticket in the bottom of the lottery machine, or money left on it, I walk away. Not worth the hassle of trying to see that the rightful owner gets it. Best case scenario, the one who forgot it might come right back and check.
DeleteOur cards come with it too, but you don't have to use it. You can still use the swipe or insert method which is what I do.
ReplyDeleteI don't use it. But a few days ago I read about people having charges on their cards, when they did not even take them out. Like walking by made the card pay for somebody else's stuff. Not sure it they're trying to scam the card-issue-er, or if it could really happen.
DeleteThey're more likely to have walked close enough to scammers who have illegal card "readers" in their pockets and can scan whatever cards you may be carrying. They collect the information and use it to create fake cards to enable them to use your money.
ReplyDeleteI didn't read the whole article, but I suspect the charges were from a store where they actually shopped, for them to make this claim. If scammers got their info, it would be statistically questionable for them to only use fake cards in stores where the victims shopped.
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