Stop Making Sense

Last week, a payroll person at the Montreal head office of my new employer emailed me to let me know that my first pay had bounced back when they attempted a direct deposit. It was a little unsettling because I would like anyone to be able to deposit into my account any time they wish. There should be no barriers to giving me money! 

It was also puzzling because I had scanned and sent them a VOID cheque. There was very little margin for error. So I called my bank. It appeared that there was a small mistake during input from Montreal, where a 0 was omitted. No big deal. I called Montreal and let them know. But no sooner had I hung up than my phone rang. It was the woman from my bank. The conversation when something like this.

SHE: I now see that the problem is your company didn’t put a six on the end of your account number.

ME: How would they know to do that?

SHE: Well, they wouldn’t and that’s what the problem is. We now have a six at the end of your account number. It’s something we did internally. You number now ends in six.

ME: (stunned silence)

SHE: So, just tell them to put a six on the end and it will go through.

ME: But my cheques don’t have the six on them. I wasn’t aware there was a new six on the account number. This is brand new to me.

SHE: Well it’s not something you need to concern yourself with because it’s only for our use, internally, at the bank.

ME: Except when I give my information to someone who wants to put money in my account. Then there’s an invisible six that I know nothing about.

SHE: It doesn’t really affect you.

ME: Except that it just did. Just now. When I gave incomplete information to my company because I didn’t know about the six.

SHE: Now you do know. Problem solved!

And mucky-mucks at banks wonder why people hate them!