What to do when the account is full?
10.9.2019
Translation: machine translated
Robert and Tiffany Williams solve the problem the American way - and go shopping without restraint. They don't care where the 120,000 dollars in their usually not-so-full account come from. Surprisingly, the bank doesn't.
Apparently, the Williams couple had a small investment backlog. In any case, they didn't hesitate for long when one fine day they found 120,000 dollars more than usual in their otherwise swept-clean account. Exactly 121,121 dollars. They must have realised that this was not interest. Robert and Tiffany decided to go on a radical power-shopping spree in order to restore the familiar sight of their account balance. With a new SUV, the sum was at least quickly pushed back into the five-figure range.
15,000 dollars distributed to friends
A partial success, nothing more. So they added a campervan and other vehicles. After all, the two were now living the American dream, so they could have a few more horsepower. A racing car, for example. But the Williams couple did not forget their duties. They paid outstanding bills and generously distributed 15,000 dollars to friends in financial difficulties. Then came a phone call. From the bank, which had noticed the incorrect transfer.
And Robert and Tiffany were in financial trouble themselves again, because there wasn't too much left to charge back. 13,000 dollars were still left. For the rest, Tiffany assured, they would come up with a repayment plan. However, as the plan was to bury their heads in the sand and be unavailable to the bank for too long, Robert and Tiffany Williams have now been charged with fraud . They probably had no plan, but simply wore their spending trousers. If only they had listened to their wise head of state.
Sometimes your best investments are the ones you don't make.
Banks like to take bonuses
Somehow it's hard not to feel at least a little bit sorry for Robert and Tiffany. When banks mistakenly distribute bonuses to customers instead of employees, it's not just these two who feel a sense of justice. In January, an 18-year-old from Belfast was delighted with his new account balance of £8,988,397 after cashing a cheque from Grandma for £8,900. He could already see himself sitting in a Porsche, but his mum saw it differently. She played the spoilsport. His luck.
What do we learn from this? Firstly, people who come into money unexpectedly buy cars as a reflex. Secondly: even if they suspect that it could have unhealthy consequences - most people would like a big slice of the cake. Just like the banks. And like supplier David Lliviganay, who is said to have just sidelined almost 90,000 dollars worth of cakes and set up a lucrative side business. That really is going too far.
Michael Restin
Senior Editor
Michael.Restin@digitecgalaxus.chSimple writer and dad of two who likes to be on the move, wading through everyday family life. Juggling several balls, I'll occasionally drop one. It could be a ball, or a remark. Or both.
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