Honesty

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I

iraasuup

Guest
#1
#1
Okay I know this doesn't really belong in this forum, but I thought I'd get the most interesting replies here (because all the cool posters hang here haha).

So, okay. Just recently here 19 people got charged with bank fraud, after going to the ATM to withdraw cash, and finding that due to a bank error, they were able to withdraw large amounts of money (that wasn't theirs) and overdraw their accounts. In some cases, people withdrew $200,000!

There has been much debate about this, because it was a bank error, there are mixed opinions on if these people should have been charged. This got me to thinking about other similiar situations I have experienced and what other people think about it.

For example. Have you ever been given too much change at the store, or been undercharged for something you purchased? Have you ever found a lost wallet containing cash and ID? If so, what did you do in the situation? Also love to know if anyone has had their honesty repaid to them?

I have experienced all 3 of the scenarios listed above and every time I will go back, and make it right. Even if a cashier gives me 10c too much change, I'll still give it back. Why? Because it's not mine, and I'm not entitled to it. Just because it's not my fault, doesn't make it right.

I have found that honesty like this is rare. Have you ever tried to go back to a store and pay for something you weren't charged for? The Cashiers look at you like you have horns and 3 noses? Instead of saying 'Thank you for your honesty' they say 'Uh ok then' and look at you like you're crazy! Anyone else ever experienced this?

Anyway, just thought this was an interesting topic. Because I believe honesty and integrity are some of the greatest virtues a person can possess, but sadly these days, they seem to be dying traits.

So, interested to hear your thoughts, would especially love to hear stories of you being blessed for your honesty. Will share mine soon.
 
J

Jullianna

Guest
#2
#2
I do think the people who realized the funds they were able to withdraw were not their own would be guilty of theft, bank error or no bank error. They should most definitely, at the very least, have to return all of the money.

Yes, I have received too much change and I do give it back because, having worked as a cashier in my teen years, I know that person's drawer will be short at the end of their shift. I also know that if they are distracted for some reason, having someone politely bring this to their attention and kindly return the money can serve as a bit of a wake up call to them before they make a huge mistake that could cost them their job.

I've found money outdoors from time to time, but never in a wallet or anything identifiable. I would wait to see if anyone claimed it or heard of anyone looking for it, but no info came. The last time I used the money to take all of the neighborhood kids swimming.
 
I

iraasuup

Guest
#3
#3
Jullianna said:
I do think the people who realized the funds they were able to withdraw were not their own would be guilty of theft, bank error or no bank error. They should most definitely, at the very least, have to return all of the money.

Yes, I have received too much change and I do give it back because, having worked as a cashier in my teen years, I know that person's drawer will be short at the end of their shift. I also know that if they are distracted for some reason, having someone politely bring this to their attention and kindly return the money can serve as a bit of a wake up call to them before they make a huge mistake that could cost them their job.

I've found money outdoors from time to time, but never in a wallet or anything identifiable. I would wait to see if anyone claimed it or heard of anyone looking for it, but no info came. The last time I used the money to take all of the neighborhood kids swimming.
Click to expand...

Aww. Yes, I have found loose money on the street and kept that, I also made sure I asked around if anyone had lost any, but I have found wallets with ID and cash in them. One had $500 in it. I took it to the police. They called me the next day to let me know they'd found the owner and that he would contact me shortly to say thanks, but he never did.

I've also been undercharged at stores countless times and given too much change. Same experience I work in retails so I know the repercussions of this, that and, well my conscience just wouldn't ket me do anything else.

What you did with the money was wonderful. I agree that those people at the ATM should pay it back.. apparently someone made the discovery then told all of their friends.. so they should be held accountable too. I guess I'm just surprised at how many people have such a lacksidaisical attitude these days. Honesty and integrity doesnt seem to be valued as highly anymore. It's sad.
 
LightningClap0002

LightningClap0002

Senior Member
#4
Feb 10, 2008
3,371
16
38
#4
I've brought back change only once, but they did look at me like I was crazy. Also found a purse that somebody had left in a grocery cart. I decided to bring it to the customer service desk, so didn't have to go through it myself. Thankfully, the owner of it walked in just after I dropped it off.

There was once that I think I got undercharged for something. There was an entire season of a popular TV show on DVD, normally for $50. There were a bunch of normal DVD movies marked down to 9.99 (normally$15). It was a TV show that I liked, so decided that I would get it because it was such a great deal. When I went to check out, it rang up at normal price. I pointed out the sticker to the lady and just mentioned that if it wasn't marked down that I didn't think I'd buy it. So she dropped the price manually. Maybe not quite the same as a bank error, but...

On a diffferent topic, if it took you a day to realize that you had been given too much change would you still bring it back?
 
Nautilus

Nautilus

Senior Member
#5
Jun 29, 2012
6,488
53
48
#5
Normally I just shove all the change in a pocket, so if I didn't notice till the next day, then I honestly, probably wouldn't. Now what if something rings up at the register for cheaper than it says on the shelf do you just let that slide?
 
N

niceguyJ

Senior Member
#6
Feb 5, 2011
520
25
28
#6
Not that long ago I was given, I think, $5 too much at the bank. I didn't realize it until I got home. I turned around and took it back to them. The lady was very appreciative. As mentioned already, people can lose their job over that kind of thing..and really it was simply an honest mistake.

I've been handed $10 too much in cash payment for some work and I handed it right back. The guy did look a bit shocked. Ha.

Simply put, I'd feel terrible if I kept even a penny too much. Honesty is a huge deal to me.
I don't expect anything in return for it really. However, I'm sure the lady at the bank remembers it. So she'd be more likely to pay more attention to giving me good service. Also, the guy I handed the money back to saw that I'm honest. If someone trusts you, you're more likely to get their business. So being honest does have its perks.
 
lil_christian

lil_christian

Senior Member
#7
Mar 14, 2010
7,489
73
48
27
#7
iraasuup said:
Okay I know this doesn't really belong in this forum, but I thought I'd get the most interesting replies here (because all the cool posters hang here haha).

So, okay. Just recently here 19 people got charged with bank fraud, after going to the ATM to withdraw cash, and finding that due to a bank error, they were able to withdraw large amounts of money (that wasn't theirs) and overdraw their accounts. In some cases, people withdrew $200,000!

There has been much debate about this, because it was a bank error, there are mixed opinions on if these people should have been charged. This got me to thinking about other similiar situations I have experienced and what other people think about it.

For example. Have you ever been given too much change at the store, or been undercharged for something you purchased? Have you ever found a lost wallet containing cash and ID? If so, what did you do in the situation? Also love to know if anyone has had their honesty repaid to them?

I have experienced all 3 of the scenarios listed above and every time I will go back, and make it right. Even if a cashier gives me 10c too much change, I'll still give it back. Why? Because it's not mine, and I'm not entitled to it. Just because it's not my fault, doesn't make it right.

I have found that honesty like this is rare. Have you ever tried to go back to a store and pay for something you weren't charged for? The Cashiers look at you like you have horns and 3 noses? Instead of saying 'Thank you for your honesty' they say 'Uh ok then' and look at you like you're crazy! Anyone else ever experienced this?

Anyway, just thought this was an interesting topic. Because I believe honesty and integrity are some of the greatest virtues a person can possess, but sadly these days, they seem to be dying traits.

So, interested to hear your thoughts, would especially love to hear stories of you being blessed for your honesty. Will share mine soon.
Click to expand...
if it was their own money, then I would say, they didn't have a right to charge them. It's on them for not realizing that bank error. BUT... if it's not your money, you don't have a right to touch it.

Yup, I would say it's both the bank's fault and the people's fault. It's the bank's fault for not figuring out that there was a bank error. But it's also the people's fault for going ahead and doing the wrong thing when they fully knew what they should have done, which was say no and do the right thing.
 
A

anonymous04

Guest
#8
#8
Iraaaa You got a golden heart :)
 
U

Ugly

Guest
#9
#9
Back when i was a teen and driving, before gas stations were all pre-pay, i would still go in an pay first. I can't count the number of times i went back in because i went over by a few cents, or even a penny, and paid. Usually the cashiers just stared at me, some discouraged me from doing it again. Not that i've always been that honest in every situation, but overall i try.
 
Oncefallen

Oncefallen

Idiot in Chief
Staff member
#10
Jan 15, 2011
6,031
3,264
113
#10
I've heard of similar cases here in the States Iraasuup, so it isn't just an Aussie thing.

Along with the general breakdown of morals in general in society, the breakdown of personal integrity doesn't surprise me much. I don't understand how people can unashamedly spend money that they know isn't theirs and obviously somehow justify to themselves that it isn't stealing since they didn't hold up the bank in person.

As for myself personal integrity is a critical component in a relationship of any type. Guys who work for me that get caught stealing or lying can kiss their job goodbye and rest assured that they have no chance of rehire in the future. In personal relationships I tend to be a little more lenient in that although I may not completely cut someone out of my life, it sure will be difficult for them to regain my trust.
 
J

Jullianna

Guest
#11
#11
I agree about the bank thing, Oncefallen. People have a general idea how much money they have in the bank, so when they find a considerable amount over that available to them and take it without checking to see how the overage got in there, it's silly to say it's all the bank's fault when they take something that doesn't belong to them. Most of us learned not to do that as preschoolers.
 
S

Stuey

Senior Member
#12
Aug 17, 2009
892
4
18
#12
But you get to keep the bank error money in Monopoly.....
 
A

arwen7

Guest
#13
#13
Stuey said:
But you get to keep the bank error money in Monopoly.....
Click to expand...
Oh, if life were like Monopoly... I would get bored after 1 hour of living:p
 
S

Stuey

Senior Member
#15
Aug 17, 2009
892
4
18
#15
If you are playing properly you should be able to get it finished in about 2 hours or so.
 
Ritter

Ritter

Banned
#16
Jul 25, 2005
2,417
34
0
#16
Nautilus said:
Normally I just shove all the change in a pocket, so if I didn't notice till the next day, then I honestly, probably wouldn't. Now what if something rings up at the register for cheaper than it says on the shelf do you just let that slide?
Click to expand...
Haha, I do the exact same thing. This thread isn't particularly pertinent to me in that way.

As for letting things slide at the register? Well, there could be some sort of special deal for all I know, so I don't ask.

Who says willful ignorance is always a bad thing?

Yes, withdrawing $200,000 in cash that isn't yours isn't right. Reminds me of that episode of Frasier when Marty gets more than he asked for on a bank withdraw, so his sons make him go back and correct the error.

He tries to do so, but the bank apologizes for the error and gives him more money, to which he complains again and the up the ante farther to which he gives up.

I guess there are structurally imposed limits to being the good Samaritan toward a bank or business,they being customer service and consumer culture. Of course I am using an example from a TV show XD


Hey look! 1,000 posts! How grand!
 
J

Jullianna

Guest
#18
#18
Congrats on your 1000+ posts, Ritter! I agree with Lightning. You should post more often.
 
I

iraasuup

Guest
#19
#19
I had this happen to me again, just today!

I bought some items totalling $8.80. I handed the cashier a $10 note. She gave me $9.70 change!?!?

I was like 'Uh, you've given me too much change' and handed it back.

But I was left wondering how the heck she made that mistake.. it doesn't even add up at all.
 
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