Hello, and thanks for your time.

Monday I deposited $400 in the bank after work at an ATM on my way home.

$280 cash and a check for $120.

Tonight I see that the bank changed the amount to just $120 (the check) - saying that I mis-entered the amount.

I also incurred half a dozen OD charges (today alone) thinking I had more $ than they did.

I hand counted that $280 three times at the ATM before putting it, and the check in the envelope and depositing. It feels like I've been robbed here.

How do I fight this? I make very little money and this will really hurt me. The money was there, what do I do?

Thanks again,
Gumber

Anyone?

Contact the bank immediately and tell them what happened. They may need to examine their procedures for who checked that machine and processed the deposits. If you counted your cash at the machine, there is a chance you were seen on camera putting the money in an envelope.

It may well come down to your word against theirs. They should do an investigation and make a determination. They'll base it on the facts. But if feel that you did make that deposit, the quicker you react the better.

Thanks e,

You assumed correctly; I counted that money right on the console of the ATM, thrice even. I remember this vividly.

When I went in there this morning (I was there when the doors opened) I caused a little bit of a stink, made it clear that there was either incompetence or theft occurring at that particular branch, and threatened to subpoena the security video if necessary (alluding to a hot blooded and, yes, fictitious attorney & dear friend of the family)as part of a small claims suit.

I also pointed out that in my 5 years of banking there never once had there been a discrepancy with any of my deposits (which I often make late at night, in cash, via ATM) - and therefore the likelihood of me making an error to the tune of almost three hundred dollars was very, very slim.

Not only was my money miraculously discovered, but all of the OD charges were reversed immediately.

The whole episode took about an hour and a half (for anyone wondering). I'll admit, I feel a little guilty for bending the truth regarding my litigious capacity, but this was not going to happen, no way.

Thanks again for your time,
Gumby

We're glad it worked out. Sorry it took so much time, but glad you left happy.

Will you make another cash deposit there?

Well, I'm rather torn actually; do I risk another, perhaps even greater, loss/misplacement of funds by the bank? Or do I risk potentially losing it on my own (I've misplaced 3 wallets in as many years - each loss more expensive than the last - as I have a very active and hectic schedule...and the attention span of a meerkat)?

The one thing that held some semblance of confidence for me was that I KNEW I'd physically counted out that currency on the counter in front of the banks camera(s). Perhaps in the future I'll fan the bills (with denominations clearly visible) and pose briefly with them next to my face (like the worlds homeliest geisha) to ensure the image is captured by the ATM.

I'd like to think this was a "one-off" and not likely to recur...but I once said the same about the loss of a wallet.

Once again,
I'm obliged =)

An Update:
So after all of that trouble at the bank, getting the charges reversed (that I only incurred as a direct result of their blunder) and getting my money found and returned to my account - I find out that the moment I walked out of that bank (after making an additional deposit of $1000 to be safe) they hit me with 2 more OD charges totaling $70.
I had not used my card, nor made any purchases whatsoever - these just materialized from nowhere.

They were not apologetic, nor even slightly cordial, after I spent a weekend unable to even buy food for my family (being hundreds of dollars "overdrawn" in my account) because of this.

The lesson apparently is this:
My bank - Washington Mutual - will unapologetically mismanage or abscond with my money unless I babysit them diligently.

Woo hoo.

Los Angeles is a big city. You have lots of options if you are not pleased with the service at your current bank.

Thank you, John.

That's very helpful, and informative.