Hanley bank blunder left dad without cash for five days
A BANK has apologised after a young dad was left without money following a cash machine blunder.
Pietro Lanza had sent his brother Nick Farrell to withdraw £240 from the cash point outside the Co-operative Bank, in Hanley, to buy provisions for his baby boy, Vincenzo, who was born premature.
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NO GO: Pietro Lanza with the bank card he used at the Co-operative in Hanley. Pictures: Wesley Webster
But when Nick tried to make the transaction no notes came out.
A mini-statement revealed the bank had already recorded the amount as being withdrawn, leaving just £6.95 in Pietro's account.
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Pietro, of York Close, Talke Pits, was left without money for five days while the bank investigated the matter.
The 23-year-old said: "I'm really annoyed that it took so long for my money to go back in.
"My little boy was born on Boxing Day, five weeks earlier than the due date so all of a sudden, I had to buy a steriliser, bottle warmers and things for Vincenzo.
"Because I had no money left in my account, I had to borrow money from families and friends.
"It couldn't have happened at a worse time."
Pietro had sent his brother 29-year-old brother Nick, of Baddeley Green, to the bank to collect the money while he stayed in hospital with his girlfriend Haylea.
Nick said: "I was devastated when I had to tell Pietro that no money had come out of the machine. I was worried for him knowing he had just had a baby and would need the cash desperately."
Nick and Pietro informed the bank of the incident on December 28 and were told the same thing had happened to other people.
Pietro said: "I explained my situation to the branch manager and asked if they could give me an overdraft to cover me for but they said no.
"It's ridiculous considering it's not my fault in the first place. Haylea was really upset because we hadn't got everything we needed and we were left with nothing."
The money was returned into Pietro's account on January 2.
The bank has not provided an explanation about what caused the fault.
A spokesman for The Co-operative Banking Group said: "We are sorry to hear that Mr Lanza experienced problems when using our ATM over the festive season.
"He has now been fully reimbursed and we would like to apologise for any inconvenience this caused him.
"We would also like to reassure customers that there are no reported faults relating to this ATM."
Comments
by Huey_Hog
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 10:01PM
“Irrespective of what billted said, I'm surprised the bank hasn't refused to pay out since he's clearly given his PIN to someone else.”
by stokeandvale
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 9:02PM
“Billted 13
You have certaintly put a different slant to the story.....umhhhhh”
by billted13
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 7:06PM
“FACTS”
by dougalcross
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 6:39PM
“Interesting, Billted! But are you sure that these are facts and not just the local gossip?”
by mole10
Monday, January 07 2013, 10:03AM
“The same thing happened to other people, says the bank.
"We would like to reassure everyone that there are no reported faults"
The bank reimbursed him.
I'm no detective, but, they know how much cash is in the machine and a quick count up will reveal if there has been a problem.
The simple fact is they gave him the money back and so admit fault.
The apology shouldn't be accepted and compensation should be given.”
by Newcastle_Ram
Monday, January 07 2013, 7:16AM
“left with no money for 5 days? nice to see the brother who went to draw the cash out didnt offer to help until it was sorted!”
by warren-lloyd
Monday, January 07 2013, 5:09AM
“What the hell, I come on her and give out sound advice on how to safely control your cash flow, and get that....lol. Don't think so Doc, you would only make a large donation to the Conservative party with it.”
by DoctorDo
Sunday, January 06 2013, 8:16PM
“Prove it Warren, post your account numbers and sort codes.
I promise I won't do anything with them!!!!!!!!”
by warren-lloyd
Sunday, January 06 2013, 12:21PM
“We don't know the arrangements of the guys money, it was wrong of me in my first post to assume he only as one account, this one seemed to be a current account so as to get money in a hurry if needed. I have three accounts a current account, a savings account and a second current account that a use for internet shopping.”
by BedNinja
Sunday, January 06 2013, 11:56AM
“warren-lloyd, everyone knows babies can come early so surely it makes sense to buy the basics well in advance. If they hadn't got the money to start with then surely they should have thought twice about bringing a baby in the world to start with??? The £6 or so he had left in the bank would just about have covered one packet of nappies. What happens after that? By the way, my child was also born premature, you have to be prepared for these things.”