Let's Talk Tuesday: A Girl Walked into a Bank Four Times in One Week

What a couple of weeks I've been having. About a month ago, I received notice that one of the banks we use was bought out (or whatever it is that banks do) by another. I immediately knew there would be some sort of issue, as these transitions are never smooth. Or maybe I'm manifesting my own problems now?

I received a new ATM card in the mail, followed up with a new PIN number. In order to activate it, you had to go use it. My first attempt just gave me a series of invalid responses, so I walked inside the bank to get some help. Multiple people were consulted and phone calls made. It was determined that the wrong account number had been linked to my ATM card. Honestly? Shouldn't all this be computerized? How is a mistake like that even made? I can only hope that someone else isn't using an ATM card and gaining access to my account. Sheesh. They told me I'd have to wait 24 hours and then try again.

Two days later, I returned. Still not working. Went inside the bank again, new people made more phone calls, and I was told that this bank 'doesn't do ATM cards, only debit cards.' So, WHY did they send me a card that says ATM on the front? Apparently, I was grandfathered in, they made some adjustments, and I'd have to try again in 24 hours.

Upon returning home, I decided maybe I should read all the paperwork involved with our accounts that came in the mail. I wasn't happy to then notice that Middle Child's account would now receive a $25 service fee. The only way around it was to open up a linked checking account. She does not need a checking account.

Back to the bank I returned, with my third attempt at the ATM machine. Still getting invalid account responses. Went inside to report this and was then told that even though it was a savings account linked to the ATM card, I should be touching the checking account button instead. Quelle surprise, that actually worked and I was able to withdraw some cash. But I still had to deal with my daughter's account. I spent another hour there, opening up a checking account that she will never use with $25 in it. It took forever because instead of just printing out papers to sign, I had to sit there with my phone and get emails sent to me and then figure out how to answer all the questions and sign off on a 5.5 X 2.5-inch screen. Yes, I know I sound old.

I went home relieved, thinking I wouldn't have to enter that bank again for a while. One hour later, I get an email saying that the new checking account was closed due to incomplete documents. This was a Friday late in the day and the bank is not open on Saturday, of course. I won't bore you any longer with what happened when I went back on Monday. It's handled but I do not have any confidence whatsoever in this new bank. None.

Meanwhile, I had to mail a paper tax return for Middle Child, which I did via Certified Mail. This was on March 17, and the tracking system shows that it was never delivered. The last update was on March 23 of 'In Transit to next Facility.' I initiated a missing mail search on it yesterday, as it's been two weeks since mailing. I lost my faith in the US Postal Service years ago, but worrying about the IRS on our case is icing on that cake.

On a positive note, my son and his family will be staying with us over the next week for Easter. We haven't seen them since Christmas, so I'm super excited. Wishing those who celebrate a Blessed Easter and I will catch up with you all in a few weeks.