Bank Of America Bank of America ATM deposit lost or stolen New York City New York
April 9 of this year I made a 500.00 cash deposit at Bank of America (above) which took over Fleet. The deposit posted on the 10, on the 14 they took the money out. I called customer service and was told they would redeposit the money and send me a form to fill out. The money was deposited on the 17. I went in person to the branch on 28th street & 6th Ave. NYC, close to my place of employment and also was told I would receive a form in the mail. No form was ever sent. The 27th of April the money was taken out again and I received a letter in the mail saying after a thorough investigation was done the case was closed. I went back to the 28th street branch to make an appointment with the manager after work. I returned to find the manager was too busy to see me. A floor greeter told me it was out of their hands and to get an attorney. I then went to Penn Plaza, a very nice gentle men took the time to hear my problem but told me there wasn't much that could be done. Banks are insured, aren't their ATM's? There's no sign on their machines "user beware". I'd like to believe there was a glitch in the machine or human error on the other end, if so that would produce an overage. Since the case was closed I am forced to believe it was fraud.
I called The Office of the Controller of the Currency (which regulates this bank). I was told that if you make an ATM cash deposit there is no proof that anything was in the envelope (now they tell me). The only action is to get an attorney. If anyone out there has a suggestion, it would be appreciated. To the rest of you "don't put cash in ATM's.
Madeleine
North Bergen, New Jersey
U.S.A.
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Aafes
Viernheim,Europe,
U.S.A.
Comment to Mike
#7Consumer Comment
Thu, May 04, 2006
Mike,
Although ATM policies my "state" that two employees always be present, that is often not the case. I have a friend who used to service remote ATMs (i.e.) freestanding in strip mall parking lots, malls etc.
She was often sent with up to $100,000.00 in cash to empty ATMs of deposits and refill the cash hopper. Eventually she was the victim of armed robbery, luckily no hurt, but the Bank was robbed of over $85000.00. The culprits were caught and prosecuted.
While two employees are what you would expect, it is not always the case.
Leticia
Anytown,Other,
U.S.A.
I have to agree with the other posters.
#7Consumer Comment
Wed, May 03, 2006
Never deposit cash into an ATM. When (a long time ago) my mother and I found out that although I had a account with the same bank in another state (like I said a long time ago before the banks computers were for all states.) that I had to deposit my paychecks into the ATM. My mother told me to write on them for deposit only. In case whomever took the deposits out of the ATM, they could not take mine.
I am sorry that you are out of the money, but chalk it up to live and learn.
Mike
River Edge,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
ATM policy
#7Consumer Suggestion
Wed, May 03, 2006
As stated in another report on this site, the policy for ATM's is clearly stated by BOA. They suggest NEVER depositing cash into an ATM. The deposit was posted the next day automatically, as all deposits are. Once they verified that the money wasn't actually IN the envelope, they took it away. (I"m not saying you didnt put it in there, just that they claim you didn't). As the othe rperson said, would you slide it under the door? As for the theory that someone ripped it off, ATM policies mandate that 2 employees are present at the time of removal to verify that nothing is removed.
Robert
Jacksonville,Florida,
U.S.A.
NEVER deposit cash in an ATM
#7Consumer Comment
Wed, May 03, 2006
Most machines include that line in the instructions printed on them.
I always deposited my paychecks in the ATM when I worked in MD. One time, the machine spat the envelope back out when the next guy tried to deposit something, about an hour later. He called me and said he'd wait for me. I was there in 10 minutes. If it had been cash, he may have just kept it. I don't know. But, what I do know is...NEVER deposit cash in an ATM.
Dave
Jacksonville,Florida,
U.S.A.
Go one step further
#7Consumer Suggestion
Wed, May 03, 2006
First of all, even if there was no deposit slip, the account number is printed on the envelope by the atm machine.
But, I would get an attorney asap and have him/her/it subponea not only the atm camera, which really doesn't show anything, AND the branch cameras. They record the tellers all day. That video will show if a teller pocketed your money or not.
Aafes
Viernheim,Europe,
U.S.A.
There could very well be proof but difficult to obtain
#7Consumer Comment
Wed, May 03, 2006
Initially, I must say I never understand anyone making a cash deposit an an ATM. It is tanatamount to putting cash in an envelope, sliding it under the door and hoping an honest employee will pick it up the next day.
Several scenarios could have happened. You may have not put a deposit slip in the envelope with the money. The money was stolen by an employee. The money was credited to someone else's account by mistake. You may never know.
You should ask the bank (do everything in writing) to allow you to review the security tape of the ATM taken at the time you made your deposit. If there are indeed images of you at the ATM they may show you placing cash in the envelope and depositing it. If you filled the envelope beforehand there will be nothing.
It is not always certain that images are being recorded during all ATM transactions. Inquire anyway you may luck out.