Santander in-branch ATM stole my deposit

pmduk

I'll keep practicing then!

scratch_eddie

Wow! Can't believe how many replies have been posted. Rest easy, I've not been bumped off, I just don't go online very often so haven't had chance to post an instant reply to the many kind messages of support I've received

Thought I'd been fairly measured in my original message; certainly don't think I was "prejudiced" or "bigoted" and I'm pretty sure there's a policy of free speech in the UK, which ensures individuals are free to be mistrustful of whomever they please.

I didn't at any point state that all bankers are scum by the way, I just get the impression--from what I read in newspapers and hear on the radio--that there's something of a moral vacuum in the world of finance, so my initial instinct was to worry I'd be ripped off.

Anyway, for those of you who are interested, the bank didn't call me in the morning as promised so I had to go back to the branch and speak to a surly member of staff (I'm sure she wasn't a "master criminal", or a fraudster--she just lacked any semblance of empathy or basic customer service skills), who grudgingly agreed to pursue the matter. I had to wait around for ages, but eventually they had someone call me to say they'd credit the money to my account.

So all's well that ends well, though I'll definitely be depositing via a human being in future, who I hope will be more polite than the staff I had to deal with in this experience (and certain other people too).

Thanks for all the support; so many of you came forward to offer the advice I asked for, it's truly heart warming Special mention to innovate, for showing patience with this "newbie".

opinions4u

Thought I'd been fairly measured in my original message; certainly don't think I was "prejudiced" or "bigoted" and I'm pretty sure there's a policy of free speech in the UK, which ensures individuals are free to be mistrustful of whomever they please.

I don't really trust bankers, so I'm worried they'll just pocket the money

So what's your problem with them?

Read what you typed. Free speech, yes. Completely prejudiced, yes. Set yourself up for a couple of challenges, certainly.

Fishingtime

I bet they have stolen the £10 and bought lunch with it, why do you think they smile at you when you go in :j

Goldiegirl

Firstly, don't believe all you read in the papers or hear on the radio - people work in banks are human beings just like you, and are no more or less likely than you to exist in a moral vacuum.

Secondly, maybe the person in the bank was 'surly' because she picked up on your attitude of mistrust?

Goldiegirl

Fishingtime wrote: »

I bet they have stolen the £10 and bought lunch with it, why do you think they smile at you when you go in :j

That's helpful

John1993_2

Goldiegirl wrote: »

Firstly, don't believe all you read in the papers or hear on the radio - people work in banks are human beings just like you, and are no more or less likely than you to exist in a moral vacuum.

Despite the apparent view of posters such as the OP, you still need to show that you are "of good character" to be registered and accredited as a banker, and you are still likely to find yourself unable to ever work again if there's a finding of dishonesty.

Most people with whom I work are the sort of people who'll go back into a shop if they've been given too much change, and will hand in a wallet at the police station if they find it.

The idea that we are not to be trusted is simply offensive, and I'm not going to apologise for calling people out when they suggest otherwise.

Goldiegirl

John1993 wrote: »

Most people with whom I work are the sort of people who'll go back into a shop if they've been given too much change, and will hand in a wallet at the police station if they find it.

The idea that we are not to be trusted is simply offensive, and I'm not going to apologise for calling people out when they suggest otherwise.

You've reminded me of something that happened a few years ago.

I had a day off work, and I was walking along the road to the hairdressers, when I saw a wallet lying on the pavement. I picked it up and it was literally stuffed with money. It also had a cash card from the very bank that I worked for at the time.

So I took it to the hairdressers, phoned my colleagues at the office, who phoned the owner of the wallet and told him its whereabouts. 15 minutes later a very harassed and thankful man turned up at the hairdressers to collect his wallet.

But any of my colleagues would have done the same - I don't think what I did was special, just being a decent person. If the bank card hadn't have been in the wallet and there was no other ID in there I'd have taken it to the police station.

So I agree with John, to be labelled untrustworthy, just because of somebody's prejudice about my job, is deeply offensive

Archi_Bald

In the OP's defense, we (Joe Public) cannot possibly agree that all people employed by banks are indeed good eggs. I for one find it deeply offensive if anyone expects us to trust all bankers, after the scandals that were uncovered over the last few years (Fred Goodwin megalomania, LIBOR fixing, PPI misselling, Coop Exec on drugs, Nick Leeson etc etc).

However, I would agree that there is very little evidence that the people working in Branches are dishonest and thieves, or that cash machines steal our money. I am sure many of the people on the shop floor were and are as appalled as the rest of use by the atrocities committed by, or under the guidance of some Executives and high level traders.

M0ney

scratch_eddie wrote: »

I went to a Santander branch during my lunch break and tried to deposit £130 in tens and twenties.

On my first attempt I didn't have the notes lined up very well and it spat them back out, then proceeded to whir and click for a minute or two before finally returning my card and seemingly cancelling the transaction (though on the screen it didn't really explain if it had been properly cancelled).

I then tried again, making sure the notes were all lined up nicely and there were no creases. In they went; the machine began making noises and it all looked promising, but then it spat out a £20 note and stated on-screen that I'd put £100 in, not the £110 it'd actually eaten.

I managed to get the attention of the "receptionist"/customer service advisor and, after taking my details, she assured me that they'd count the machine's contents in the morning and any discrepancy would show up. However, I don't really trust bankers, so I'm worried they'll just pocket the money and tell me there was nothing amiss with the machine's contents. If that's the case, is there anything I can do or anyone I can contact?

I know it's just a piddly amount of money to most people, but for me every penny counts and I'm loathe to let a bank steal my hard-earned cash! Am hoping it'll all turn out for the best tomorrow morning, but any advice would be much appreciated.

You are sounding very paranoid to me, I will try to put your mind at ease a little however. Around 12 years ago I was 16 and quite new to using cash machines, on the walk to school I went to the ATM to withdraw cash and with it being early in the morning I forgot to take it and just walked away. I went to the bank and told them the money didn't come out because I was too embarrassed to tell the truth, the money was refunded into my account fairly quickly (I forget exactly how long now) to my shame, I did the same thing a short time later and told the bank the same same and again without any real inconvenience (other than a couple of visits to the branch and a form to fill in).