Update on my robbery: Bank indifference and incompetence, crippling fear

[liberalhistorian]

As many of you know, this past Thursday evening I was robbed at gunpoint sitting in my car in my workplace parking lot after working late (it was around 7:30, still light out). He got away with my ATM debit/credit card after extracting from me the PIN# with the very effective technique of moving the gun from my ribs and jamming it in my neck, claiming he was going to make me drive him to the ATM.

At 8 p.m., sitting across from the police officer who was to take my statement, I called the 800# for my bank to report the card stolen, even before I gave my statement. They assured me the card was now blocked and cancelled, and a new one would be sent within 7 to 10 days. The next morning I called again to see if the card had been used between 7:30 and 8, when I reported it stolen. I was told that there had been three transactions at 12:30 a.m., one right after the other, for $300, $200, then another $200, for a total of $700. At 12:30 A.M.? Almost FIVE HOURS after it was reported stolen and should have been blocked??? WTF???? I was told that I had somehow been transferred to VISA International and not the bank, which was why there was the delay in blocking ATM withdrawals. Well, I DIDN'T CALL VISA International, I called the fucking 800# for the bank! I'm sorry, ma'am, they said, we don't know what happened. You'll have to go to your local branch and fill out an Affidavit of Unauthorized Electronic Transfer. Oh, yeah, and be sure to bring a copy of the police report and your statement as well. Um, gee, thanks, I never would have thought of that!

So I go to my local bank branch (my boss gave me the day off Friday) to fill out the Affidavit. It asks all kinds of bullshit questions, like "where do you keep your PIN#, names and ages of other household members living with you, do they have access to your card, etc., etc. Keep in mind that I'm still shellshocked, and so emotionally exhausted I can hardly keep my eyes open. My mom is driving me around because I'm too afraid to drive anywhere by myself.

Yesterday morning, Saturday, I go to the bank to see what's happening, if any progress in their "investigation" has been made. No one knows anything, and no one will be in the "loss prevention investigations" department until Monday. The teller calls customer service, anyway, just to check, and she then drops a bombshell on me. They apparently have NO RECORD of me calling Thursday night and no block was put on the card until Friday afternoon when I was filling out the Affidavit and the teller noticed that there was no block yet on the card in her computer records. I repeat, they had NO RECORD of the call I made Thursday night right from the police station!!!!!!!!! Needless to say, you would not have wanted to have been around me right then and I'm glad I wasn't one of the bank workers who had to deal with me!!!!! And none of them seemed to give a shit, either! The police report I'd attached to the Affidavit was clearly labeled "8:09 p.m." So why the fuck would I have waited SEVENTEEN HOURS until the next afternoon to report the robbery when most of all the money I have could be accessed by that card?????????? And then they told me that there was "normally" a $500 limit on daily withdrawals. Well, then, Miss Brilliant, I asked, how was he able to take out $700 in three transactions within three minutes time? If he was using a supermarket or gas station or convenience store machine, then it's possible, they said. SAY WHAT????? WTF???? Just what in the hell difference should that make? Different network, they said. Well, I have one word for that, BULLSHIT!!!!

So now I have to wait for a fucking investigation from the bank where I've been a loyal customer for TWELVE YEARS, just to get my own money back, which was lost due to their incompetence and indifference iin the first place!!!!! I'm sorry, but something is really, really
wrong with this picture!!!! My boss is an attorney and I'm his paralegal, and if this is not resolved within three days, I very sweetly informed them, you will most certainly be hearing from him and not in a friendly social capacity either. This is total bullshit, adding insult to injury, to have to deal with this after going through the ordeal of the mugging in the first place; it's double victimization as far as I'm concerned, and my boss and I will not stand for it! I should NOT have to be dealing with trouble from the bank along with everything else!

I'm finding that I'm fearful of almost everything right now. I don't want to go ANYWHERE alone, even in broad daylight (hell, the robbery occurred in daylight!). I had planned to take my son on a vacation to Hersheytown, PA, and Gettysburg, this Thursday through Monday and that's out of the question, now. Not only am I now a lot shorter of money than I'd planned to be, but just the thought of driving anywhere alone, let alone for several hours and out of state, is absolutely terrifying to me. My mom or stepdad has to drive with me even to the local convenience store where I've gone for the past 25 years. Just the thought of going back to work, and parking in that parking lot, is terrifying even though I have to do it, starting tomorrow. Any overtime is totally out of the question, no longer will I be the last person to leave the office a lot of the time. If someone's not available to walk me to my car, forget it, I ain't staying. Which means a lot more stress and work during the day, since I won't be able to stay (in the legal field, you often do have to stay longer than scheduled hours because there's always so much to do, it's just the nature of the work). I jump at the slightest sounds, no matter where I am. I was in a car with my mom and one of the neighbors started walking toward the window and I screamed and got down on the floor. And I hate this. I hate what I've become these past few days. I've lost that veneer of automatic trust you normally extend to those around you in order to effectively function in society, which I never thought would happen. It's the most crippling thing I've ever endured and I hate it!

[SoCalDem]

1. Isn't incompetence the pits??

They will probably re-imburse you in the end, but in the meantime,they will make it as hard for you as possible..

Have the policeman vouch for you in writing.. that you did call them.. You called from the police station, and they were there , so that should not be a problem.. Get every siingle person trhat you talk to's name..and time that you talked to them.. It's gonna take some time..

Don't rush yourself.. You will get over it, but it takes time.. I too was robbed at gunpoint.. It makes you squeamish, but you do get over it:)

[liberalhistorian]

7. How long did it take you to deal with it and get over it?

Do you even totally get over it? Did you do anything in particular, like counseling, victims' groups, etc.?

[SoCalDem]

11. Actually, it didn't take too terribly long..

The hard part was going to court for 18 months to get the guy convicted..

I was his 5th armed robbery, and we never found the gun..but I had a good id of him and implicated his girlfriend as having been in the car with him, so he eventually took a plea bargain and got 7 to 12 years..

You will get over it.. Just remind yourself that it was nothing YOU did.. you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time, but the BEST part.. He did not hurt you.. You can replace your money, but not your YOU !:):)

[sasquatch]

2. See a shrink

It will help ease your fears.

[cally]

3. I'm so sorry for your traumas

and I am glad you are safe.

Years ago I worked on consumer protection for credit and atm cards. I follow these issues, but through mainstream news. I thought you couldn't be liable for more than $100 dollars if your card was stolen. Has the law changed?

Secondly, since you have the police report verifying your phonecall then you should be safe. I would give up on the local bank folks and write the national office. Send it certified mail and on your boss' stationery if he agrees. I always find written correspondence works better.

((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))

[wellstone_democrat]

4. this is absolutely terrible

first, my sympathy.
second, my advice:
do use legal methods to make them investigate. There are phone records from your phone that you made the call on and these include duration of the call to verify you called right after it happened. Your boss should know more about that. Tell the bank you CAN prove you called by the phone records---even local calls are logged at the phone company. Demand nothing less than a full restoration of your funds and any fees incurred by the draining of your account. Make them account for the overage that was withdrawn.
next, you are suffering from a traumatic event. You must get some help or risk forever fearing the world. Find out from a women's center or from a counseling dept at a hospital where you might find counseling or a support group. Do not wait, do it before you set a pattern of fear in your daily life.

I'm sure specialists in banking, law or psychology will have more tips. These are based on my own and friends problems of a similar nature over the years. Letting the bank get away with this or the robber restrict your movements helps this victimization go on for years (or life) starting to fight to regain your life helps you move on from it.

[Cha]

5. Poor Baby! I read your post when it first happened to you and

am sad to hear you haven't gotten any solace since then!

It's obviously gonna take awhile! ANd I think if it had happened to me that I would have felt a whole lot better if the bank had been on top of their job and my money wouldn't have been lost(if only temporarily) as well.

Next week should get you some satisfaction...weekends are impossible for doing business. The up side is that you and your boss are in the legal field.

You need another Hug~

[liberalhistorian]

9. Thanks, Zidzi! You and everyone else here are the greatest!

Now, if I could just have a big hug from Dr. Dean himself, I think that would be very beneficial to my recovery, lol!

[Cha]

12. Really! The Ultimate Cure!

[NightTrain]

23. My first name is Dean. Will I do as a substitute?

:-)

[MUAD_DIB]

6. I am sorry to hear about your being robbed.

Did you check with the your building's managers to see if they have close circut cams on the parking lot?

Maybe the can fid the perp if they can get a shot of him.


You may want to fight back wtih your bank by telling them that you are switching to another Financial institution if they don't get the lead out.

[liberalhistorian]

8. Unfortunately, there is no security or surveillance camera

in the parking lot. The ironic thing is that my office is in a building owned by a bank (not my bank), and there are plenty of cameras in the ATM area. But that area doesn't cover the actual parking lot, and there's no cameras or security there.

[bluestateguy]

10. Did you get the name of the first bank employee you called?

It sounds like all this might not have happened if that person had done their job and froze your account.

In addition to the restoration of your funds you should demand the firing of that bank employee.

[Cha]

14. Good Point about getting the names of People we talk to on

the phone. I always try to do that now but I would imagine in Liberalhistorian's state of mind that she was lucky to even be doing the calling! :-(

[AnnabelLee]

13. What a rotten thing!

Had I been you listening to the teller say that there was no record of my call to block the card, I would have been speechless with rage. You are, to my mind, being victimized all over again, because while you will eventually get the money back, the bank doesn't care about what you will be going through while you are waiting. I hope your boss is able to get some quick action from your bank, & I hope that you are able to find some way to ease your mind of the fears you are going through. I would recommend that you seek counseling soon, before fear cripples you anymore than it has.

[liberalhistorian]

15. I will probably seek counseling as early as this week,

since I don't want to live my life like this and I hate feeling this way. Our county prosecutor's office has a victims' advocacy program, so I'll probably start there.

[AnnabelLee]

19. That's a good idea

They should be able to give you several references and/or options.

[Generic Other]

16. Feelings of violation and suspicion toward others eases with time

Talk to other DUers and friends if you have anxiety attacks. It's normal and will gradually subside.

So sorry to read of this. Feel free to PM anytime.

[Don_G]

17. The Banks Are Neutral

Given the fact that the US has less than 10% of the world's popuation but over 90% of the Lawyers in the world....

My advice is to channel your experience into a constructive/learning experience. Get a cat and love it, take up the Martial Arts and/or buy a firearm and learn how to use it.

You have to be pro-acttive...otherwise, someone, sometime won't respect your opinions and views.

Do what you think is the best choice for you and I'll support it.

[inthecorneroverhere]

18. Bless your heart!

I feel for you! I hope that you ask for support from your family and coworkers for things like walking with you out to the car after work. You deserve solidarity and support from those who are around you, from coworkers to family.

:loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[Cheswick2.0]

20. I don't know if any of this will help, but I will try

First of all if you called the cust service number, they have to have logged your call in the system. Local branches often put off taking care of phone calls (and the requested action) in favor of the people standing there glaring at them. So someone might have writen down the information and meant to take care if it right after the next customer, but then got distracted.

I work for a national in the underwriting cust serv department. We log even if someone calls to ask for a phone number....

here is the other part: speaking as someone who went through a very terrifying time in my life....

It helps to remind yourself that you can not control the world. Ask yourself what is the worst thing that could happen and then ask yourself if you can survive it. Will worrying yourself to death keep bad thing from happening? Or are you just torturing yourself? What are the chances of this ever happening again? (almost nil).
Take a survival class. You can change some of the things you do, the habits, where you park, who you walk out of the building with. That is a great idea.

You were a victim of a crime, but you are not a victim. You don't have a sign saying "easy mark".

Get counseling, you need someone to listen to you that is an expert in helping you process deep feelings of fear and betrayal you are having.

I think you are stronger than you know. You are dealing with this and you will be okay. I know that it doesn't seem that way now, but you will survive this and that POS creep doesn't deserve to take your autonomy away.

[Bossy Monkey]

21. Get a fire-breathing attorney NOW

These weasels must pay.

Best wishes in recovering your faith in your surroundings and the human race. The fear never goes away, but it does fade, with time. Hope the healing goes as fast as possible for you.

[kimchi]

22. Here's another hug.

Sorry you have to go through this bs. Gradually, but soon enough you will stop being so skittish and you'll get MAD. And then maybe you take the self-defense courses, and learn to kick some ass if you must. Or some other interest to bring you more peace of mind.

Thanks for updating us on your ordeal; you are already stronger than you know, just by your courage in sharing it with us.

Take care of yourself.

[Rowdyboy]

24. I want to hug you and hit someone...

It's just too stupid to be happening. You did everything right and you're still getting screwed...It really pisses me off...

[Stephanie]

25. You sound like you might be suffering Post Traumatic Stress

I think it would be a good idea to see someone about that. If you can get some help with it now it might be better in the long term. It can affect your nervous system, physically. Think about talking to your doctor about this. You have every reason to feel the way you do, but, being self-aware, you know you need to be vigilant about your health when you're under extreme stress like this.

I'm a New Yorker and this entire city suffered Post Traumatic Stress - it's very real, and it's physical, not just in your head.

[Misinformed01]

26. Get counseling ASAP

n/t

[RFKHumphreyObama]

27. I’m really sorry that you are having to experience this ordeal LH

While words are totally inadequate to convey how much I feel for you at the present time, know that you have my thoughts, prayers, sympathies and best wishes. As I’ve mentioned before, you are one of my favorite posters here at DU and it pains me and profoundly saddens me to read of what you are having to experience and endure.

I sincerely hope you get your bank situation sorted out –the attitude of the bank seems totally callous and unacceptable to me and it profoundly disgusts me that they are treating you this way. To me they sound like a bunch of totally incompetent and insensitive buffoons and you deserve much much better

As other posters have suggested, perhaps you should consider some counseling. You’ve survived a very frightening ordeal –one that people should never have to endure-and it’s perfectly understandable that you are feeling the way you are at the moment. You have a right to live your life totally free of fear and trauma and I think that counseling may have the potential to benefit you.

Also, do you have the option of taking stress or sickness leave? Going back to the same place so soon after you have endured such an ordeal will probably only heighten your sense of fear and insecurity and you may want to take some time to readjust to your surroundings. Additionally you could probably do with spending some time with those you love and cherish –such as your parents and your son-because those are the people who can give you strength and inspiration at this time. If you do have to go back, see if you can get your mother and stepfather or someone else you love and/or trust to escort you to and from work. I think you need some company if you do have to go back immediately

Having said all that, I am a 22 year old who does not even live in the US and has not endured the kind of ordeal that you have had to so perhaps I am not in the best position to dispense advice. But know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and you have my best wishes. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk. Be well and stay safe
Regards,
SD1981

[sandnsea]

28. Banks have laws and agencies they are responsible to

It's late, but when I had a problem with a bank who had actually lost my money, there was an agency I called and reported it to and I got the situation straightened out. If you don't get help on Monday, you can sure PM me, tell me your State, and I'll see if I can't find the info and get it to you.

Also, if you called from the police station, they absolutely ought to have a record.

And trauma is a tough thing. My home burned down about 10 years ago and it still crosses my mind whenever I'm not at home. Every time I get home I think, 'good, the house didn't burn down'. I wish the thoughts weren't there, but am learning to look at it as just an extra thinking pattern. I realize you aren't anywhere near that stage, just wanted you to know these things take time, everybody is different, and feelings just are. You'll get through it, counselling can help, although you may never be exactly the same as you were before and that's the unfortunate nature of life sometimes. Big hugs!!!

[trof]

29. Ohio Dept. of Commerce

Consumer Complaint -
Depository Institutions
http://www.com.state.oh.us/odoc/dfi/ccdepins.htm

They ask you to try and resolve it with the bank, which you are doing.
Here's the complaint form you can file with the state. I think this will get the bank's attention. You might even tell them you are doing this and see if their attitude changes.
Good luck, lib.