The ATM Stole My Money!

So it’s Friday night and the mood is right and all that nonsense… I go into the gas station to pay for my gas — realize I have no money — and meander over to the ATM machine. It’s one of those generic ATM’s that charges a $1.75 no matter what card you use. Whatever, I’ve paid the fee before and I’ll surely pay it again. So I figure I’ll withdraw $60.00 since I owe my friend “Bald Man” some drinks. Press the buttons… Give me $60.00 please … NOPE. You get $40.00. The machine spit out two twenties and deducted three of ‘em from my primary account — PLUS $1.75. I ask the clerk about this rediculous machine and he says something like “it happens”. I don’t disagree with this statement, and surely I didn’t expect the clerk to reimburse me for a faulty ATM, but Jebus what a crappy way to start a Friday night. So I call the help desk number on the side of the ATM, talk to some woman, she tells me I have to fill out a “Reg. E” claim with my bank on Monday and then they will perform an audit on the machine to make sure that I am not trying to swindle them.

Seems like a lot of hassle for $20.00. The wonders of automation in the futuristic world of 2004.

Update: I got my money back with a five minute phone call, no questions asked! Thanks Wells Fargo!