Well after my issues with E*Trade I think I have found the perfect bank for me. Sure I will need to move to New York, Commerce Bank really has the best terms around.
Benjamin Lovell had $800 in his account and was going to make a deposit when the teller told him he had $5 Million in his account already! That is about 624900% Interest, or 624895.9% better than E*Trade!
Well Old Ben couldn't believe his luck and over the next little period he withdrew $2 Million. He bought Jewelry for his girlfriend and used some to invest...hopefully not in Commerce Bank Stock! Ben realized this wasn't his money, and unfortunately for him, so did the bank eventually. He is currently sitting in the pokey awaiting trial on $3 Million Bail...which is what he would of had left in the account! Not intentional, probably, but funny none the less.
These sort of errors happen all of the time, probably more often then the banks would prefer that we know and not usually this size. They take the money back out and if it is gone, like Ben, ask for it back, demand it back, then call the police. Yep, whether it was the banks fault for giving him access to the funds or not, it is still stealing and a potential felony if more than $1,000.
This is one of those times were even the best of us would be tempted, especially if we were under other pressures, as he apparently was. However, stealing is stealing whether it is candy from a baby, money from crooks like in "No Country for Old Men" or banks that make stupid mistakes.
It is sort of like this famous story attributed to be Winston Churchill to Lady Astor:
A certain gentleman inquired of a lady whether she would be willing to sleep with him for 50,000 pounds. After some hesitation, the lady replied that she supposed she would, in consideration of the magnitude of the offer. Then he asked whether she would sleep with him for twopence.
"Certainly not," she responded with indignation. "Just what kind of lady do you think I am?"
"Madam, I believe we have already established that," he remarked calmly. "Now we are just haggling over the price."
That being said, I am still tempted to switch banks :) How about you? What would you do? James Bond-like escape to Central America or Jimmy Stewart call to the Bank to report the error even though the pressure would be pretty tough?
Don't forget, there is still time to win our RSS Email sign-up contest! Just sign-up HERE or on the top left portion of the main page!
(card by Parker Bros.)
4 Comments:
I think that's what the bank's insurance is for. We place a certain amount of confidence in banks handling our funds. It's only fair that they should have to pay when they break that confidence on two sides.
Well they are responcible for all fees or costs incured by you if they take your money. The FDIC insurance is for if they go under.
That being said, I do feel sorry for the guy. Pretty tempting.
I really dig the Churchill anecdote. I'll have to remember that one.
Unfortunately it works it many situations :)
Post a Comment