[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]This isn the biggest business story youl likely read today.
But in an odd way it could be the most important.
It a reminder to all consumers who use debit cards to make sure they check exactly what theye being charged at the moment they buy anything.
Even something as simple as a hamburger.
It a lesson George Beane, a Palmdale California resident, will never forget. He and his wife pulled up to a local Burger King drive through window last week and ordered two Whoppers and a couple of cheeseburgers.
The distracted and busy cashier had already rung up the order and taken $4.33 off of George debit card. But in her haste to put the ast?in fast food and get to other customers, she accidentally rang in the charge again ?without erasing the first three digits.
That brought the Beane burger bill to a whooping $4,334.33! And to make matters worse, no one noticed.
At least not right away. But when the Beanes went to make their monthly mortgage payment several days later, they were astounded to discover there was no money left in the account. It had all gone to pay off their meal mistake.
The restaurant tried to get the couple a refund, but their bank told them the funds were subject to a three day hold and there was no way they could change it. The Bank of America instituted the policy to stop those who don have sufficient funds in their accounts from spending any more money.
It took a few days to straighten out the mess, but the Beanes eventually got their money back ?although not without a lot of hassle and a few sleepless nights. About the only good thing to come from the whole mess ?the fast food joint also refunded the cost of their lunch, which meant those burgers were on the house.
It was a house they were afraid they might lose.
It a reminder to consumers that mistakes can and do happen. and catching them early at the point of sale can save a lot of wear and tear on your bank balance ?and your nerves. And that a cashless society can sometimes translate into a cash less bank account.
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[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]March 28, 2006 [/font]
http://www.pulse24.com/Business/Top_Story/20060328-001/page.asp
But in an odd way it could be the most important.
It a reminder to all consumers who use debit cards to make sure they check exactly what theye being charged at the moment they buy anything.
Even something as simple as a hamburger.
It a lesson George Beane, a Palmdale California resident, will never forget. He and his wife pulled up to a local Burger King drive through window last week and ordered two Whoppers and a couple of cheeseburgers.
The distracted and busy cashier had already rung up the order and taken $4.33 off of George debit card. But in her haste to put the ast?in fast food and get to other customers, she accidentally rang in the charge again ?without erasing the first three digits.
That brought the Beane burger bill to a whooping $4,334.33! And to make matters worse, no one noticed.
At least not right away. But when the Beanes went to make their monthly mortgage payment several days later, they were astounded to discover there was no money left in the account. It had all gone to pay off their meal mistake.
The restaurant tried to get the couple a refund, but their bank told them the funds were subject to a three day hold and there was no way they could change it. The Bank of America instituted the policy to stop those who don have sufficient funds in their accounts from spending any more money.
It took a few days to straighten out the mess, but the Beanes eventually got their money back ?although not without a lot of hassle and a few sleepless nights. About the only good thing to come from the whole mess ?the fast food joint also refunded the cost of their lunch, which meant those burgers were on the house.
It was a house they were afraid they might lose.
It a reminder to consumers that mistakes can and do happen. and catching them early at the point of sale can save a lot of wear and tear on your bank balance ?and your nerves. And that a cashless society can sometimes translate into a cash less bank account.
[/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]March 28, 2006 [/font]
http://www.pulse24.com/Business/Top_Story/20060328-001/page.asp
