My friendly local banker (M&I) called several weeks ago to inform me that they were changing the numbers on my checking account. Normally it wouldn’t concern me except with all the fraud and scams being reported, I began to wonder. Was the phone call even legitimate? I was told that they would provide new checks with all the proper account numbers. I should throw the old checks away. Now let me see, I got a random call telling me my bank account numbers were changing and I should use the new checks provided.
I stopped at the bank a week ago (drive-in window) to cash a check. I inquired about the upcoming changes to checking accounts. The gal at the window did not know of any changes. What the hell?
Several days later I got a letter under M&I letterhead telling me what my new checking account number would be. I would be getting new checks by mail soon. Do I trust the M&I letterhead? Letterheads can be easily forged with new computers/printers.
Yesterday I stopped at the local bank drive-in again. I was making a deposit. The teller told me that the deposit transaction would not “go through”. They had no record of my account. “I didn’t exist”! This was starting to get scary. After consulting with her supervisor and accessing a special computer program, I was told that my deposit would be logged under a new number. When I asked if anyone else was having this problem, I was told I was the only one.
Late yesterday I called the main M&I office to find out what was going on. I still had not received new checks and now I couldn’t access my old account. Your Mom and I have Social Security checks directly deposited into our checking account. Now what? Would direct deposits get made?
I was told to relax! Imagine a banker telling me to relax. I was told my new checks would be arriving in a few days and any old checks in the system would be honored. Anybody like the Social Security Office would be notified to deposit money into a new bank account number and everything would be okay.
It turns out that M&I is merging with some banks in St.Louis and Kansas City. I happen to be one of 40 customers that have the same account number as a customer in St.Louis. To avoid future confusion, the privledged 40 involved were receiving a new bank account number.
Now I feel better. I have the same checking bank account number as a customer in St.Louis and M&I will orchestrate an orderly transition to a new number system. This is the friendly local bank that screws everyone with late fees, processing fees and overdraft fees. They will take care of me. My deposits will probably go to the St. Louis customer.
So Grasshoppers, I’m bracing myself. This new numbering is somehow going to get messed up and my life is going to get complicated. I don’t need this. Stay tuned.
I’d like to wish my Grandson Grant a Happy Birthday today. He is 15 and still growing. This summer he can take “drivers education” and one year from now, he’ll be begging his Mom for the car. Yes! Yes! Yes!
Love,
Dad