I opened another checking account with an institution with which I already had a brokerage account. I received two boxes in the mail a couple of weeks ago that I assumed were checks and deposit slips for the new account. It is important to note that both boxes are addressed to me, and came via secure mail. I didn't ever really intend on using this account for writing checks, so they have just been sitting on my desk for a couple of weeks. I just got around to opening the boxes today.
Are you sitting down?
Swallow that mouthful of beverage.
Are you ready?
Both boxes of checks have my name and address on them. The checks in the first box of checks are mine. However, the checks inside the second box BELONG TO SOMEONE ELSE WHO LIVES IN COLORADO!!!!
Holy identity theft! I have this poor woman's new box of checks on a brand new account! I have her name, address, account number, and routing number for this account! Were I not an honest person, I could be online right now with Amazon or Cabella's on a spending spree you wouldn't believe.
However, I called the bank, and they couldn't believe such a mistake was made. They then called Clarke check printing, and got them on a three way call, and they couldn't believe it either. I asked them if they would like me to prove it was a reality by cleaning out this poor woman's account in about 30 seconds. I jumped their asses. I told them with all the identity and electronic theft occurring, their carelessness was just making it easier for thieves to prey on innocent people. They kept apologizing to me, and I told them they needed to be apologizing to the woman who was waiting to receive her new box of checks, and she was lucky I wasn't some scumbag that would clean her out. Of course, you know what the bank would say if that happened. I can hear it now: "But madam, you obviously wrote the checks, or you allowed someone to gain access to your checking account, and we can't do anything about that."
Keep this story in mind the next time you order a new box of checks through the mail.
Posted on Oct 28, 2010, 4:32 PM from IP address 98.134.158.182