$1600 disappeared! What should we do???

Question

My husband and I were both paid on Thursday, by direct deposit, and it did go through, and was reflected in the balance since yesterday during the day.

This morning, though, $1600 is unaccounted for. Our available balance went from almost $1700 to $31.54 overnight.

Other than about $300, all of the money we've used for spending cleared, and was reflected in the $1700 balance. So the lowest our balance SHOULD have been is about $1400.

We can't find a number to call to our bank, there is only one branch, and they are not open again until Monday morning.

I'm worried someone got the number and has been using it, but I don't know where they would have got it from.

What usually happens in these situations? Will most banks write it off, or are we pretty much screwed, trying to last 2 weeks on $31, unable to make rent or our car payments, not to mention any spending, daycare, gas, groceries, etc?

Help!!!

They do have an online access, but it doesn't show transactions pending.

Every phone number we've found says to call back later.

Oh, and if someone DID get the information or check card # and use it, do we have to be able to prove it wasn't us who used it? How do you prove something like that, especially if it's been used online or something?

Answer 1

The online site "could" be wrong... depending on how the info gets there. I manage our company's website (a Wealth Management Firm) and it's not always up to date. But our clients know that and it shows the date that it was updated. If I forget to select an account, it won't show. So with the impression that you have a small bank, maybe their online access is not up to the latest technology.

Take a drive to the atm again and see what THAT says. I think I would trust that over the web of a small bank.

IF your account was stolen, you will get your money back. That's what the FDIC insured is all about.

BUT it will take some leg work on your end.

My mom had a credit card stolen. She realized it when she saw it used to pay for a cell phone bill at Verizon when she has Cellular One. The funny part with this guy is that he used it to order pizza... for delivery... in a part of town where my mom would never order pizza. It's not in her neighborhood. So she filed a police report and was able to trck down the guy by looking up the cell phone account he paid on and where the pizza was delivered (not too bright, huh?)

She did get all the charges reversed, but she hasn't yet found out what happened to the theif.

But the first step, unfortunately is to call the bank on Monday.

You need to talk to a live person that can look at your account and look for any errors.

Answer 2

Sorry to hear about that. I am a founder of an ID Theft prevention business and Consumer Privacy business (www.aKaCard.com). Our customers are banks and I know a little about this. If there was fraud, you do not have to prove it. In most cases you have to sign an affidavit attesting to the fraud. The banks usually insure against fraud losses and you are most likely on the hook for only $50. If there is any overdraft fees because of the low balance resulting from the fraud the bank should put it back into your account. Also there should be a number on the back of your card. There are other possibilities for the low balance. It might be some technical glitch at the bank or maybe the amount did not really clear the employers account for some reason. The bad news is that many small banks will not replace the money immediately, it may take a few days or sometimes even longer.

Best of luck,

-Khaja

Answer 3

If your bank offers online access to your account, sometimes those will show pending debits to your account, you could check there. If there's no online access (only by phone/recording), or if the online account info doesn't show pending info, you really can't do anything until the bank opens Monday morning and you can talk to someone there.

Your bank statements should have your bank's phone number, or you should be able to find it in the phone book or by calling information.

If someone did get hold of your debit card number or account number information, what you'll be liable for depends on your bank's policies. Most banks, however, don't allow you to dispute charges made on a debit card. You would need to file a police report to report the money stolen, cancel your debit/ATM cards, and most likely close that account entirely and open a new one.

Answer 4

1. Visit or call the bank first thing Monday.
2. Don't assume that you are at fault. The bank may have made a mistake. Or someone may have found a way to access your account via ATM machine or debit card. Either way, ask for the bank's help ASAP.

Answer 5

if there is no activity of it leaving,it is there somewhere,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,talk to the bank when they are open........