Just Another Christmas [+Update]

For the past several years, during Christmastime, bad things have happened to our family. I thought, being so close to Christmas this year, we would actually skip the madness. But, it wasn't to be.

When my family refused to help, we ended up getting help from someone to help cover the fees we owed. Sort of. This person was getting us a check, which was going to take two weeks, but then took another week to clear their bank, and it was supposed to be in my account yesterday. Knowing this was the plan, we took our rent money and paid the lawyer with it, and he said he could wait for this check to clear to get the other portion.

Well, I checked my bank yesterday, but it wasn't there. I checked again today, but still no luck. So, I went back after 2 pm to see if it was there yet. Nope, not there.

I called the person to ask them if they were sure they put it in the right account. While we went over the receipt over the phone the person realized they made the deposit at the wrong bank. No big deal, right? Just take the receipt in, explain the situation, get the money, and make the deposit into the right account at the right bank. Sure, it'll eff up things for a few days, but hopefully everyone would understand. Right?

Wrong. The bank told this person the money that was put into an actual, valid account at their bank. Not only that, the money was taken out of that account this morning. The person from the bank, told them they would have the manager call them back shortly.

So here we are, with rent, the lawyer, and another big bill due in less than a week. We needed to get this shit taken care of before we leave to go out of town tomorrow.

The bank is acting like there is nothing they can do, but my name and account number were written on the deposit slip. If the teller was doing their job, they should have at the VERY LEAST checked to make sure the name and account number where correct, had they done this, they would have noticed the mistake right then. That person could have then called me, who would have gone over everything again, and we would have both realized they were at the wrong bank.

I can't fathom, what person would take money out of their account knowing they didn't put it in there to begin with. It may be a few days before Christmas, but Santa isn't real. Money just doesn't magically appear in your bank account. Accidents happen.

Needless to say, both of us are sick to our stomachs waiting to see what the bank is going to do. I may need to leave sooner than planned, because all hell will break loose is they try to not give us the money back. Yes, the person made a mistake, but for fuck sake, isn't the bank teller responsible to at least VERIFY the account information beyond just an account number??

It's been one hell of a roller coaster in 2010 and I am ready to get the fuck off.

I need a break. We need a break.

[Update]
Just got a call. After threats of legal action, the bank finally put the money back in the account. We should be able to get everything settled in a day or two. THANK GOD. Okay now, enough with the drama for the year.