National: Couple Jailed for Theft After Bank Mistake
January 15th, 2009A Pennsylvania couple said they had no idea that an extra $175,000 in their checking account was the result of a bank error. But the fact that they quit their jobs, moved to Florida and were about to buy a new home was enough to convince authorities that Randy, 50, and Melissa Pratt, 36, were trying to cash in on the mistake. So the duo were arraigned Tuesday on theft and other charges and jailed in lieu of $100,000 bail. They had actually deposited $1,772.50 in their FNB Bank account last summer, but the teller misplaced the decimal, unwittingly giving the couple a windfall of $177,250.
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Tammi I’m with U. It seems normal to see a comment from David when it comes to an unfortunate situation on our side of the tracks!
I understand that it was tempting, but if I Knew that it was an absolute error, then I would inform the bank to avoid any conflict. Now, if it was an interest account, and they were ignorant to the interest process, then maybe they didn’t know. All in all I know they are asking themselves now, was it worth it?
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Yes, banks make mistakes it is called human error! there is no blessing or windfall in that situation. because people take the money and run, write bad checks, default on loans are contributing factors to the late fees and overdrafs..they are in place as a determent to make people accountable. The fees are high because of the people who are not responsible that impacts everyone, Banks are a business when they take a loss they increase fees to recover their money… It is not about how much money 2.3,4 5,6 figures. 177k may or may not be a lot of $ to some. 177k will go further in a place with a low cost of living vs somewhere like NY or PA. I was born and raised in PA , have lived in MD and now reside in NC. My $ goes further and the cost of living is not off the chart,. I agree people should work for what they want. unfortunately many do not have the same opportunites or skills at their disposal. I agree making 6 figures is nice and as for paying taxes a financial adviser is helpful. With the state the economy is in and all the people losing jobs paying taxes is a blessing because you have a job. When a company or organization looks to budget cuts usually the first to go are the higher paying positions. Anyway I thought this discussion was about what the stupid couple did and not about who makes 6 figures.
That couple is a prime example of why banks are asking for a BAILOUT. people wake up!!!
MM that person likes to brag about his education and income. Attribute it to his immaturity and extreme lack of class.
Everyone wants something for nothing and are not willing to put in the work!
They are old enough to know better, but with all the reality shows where people are given instant gratification …American Idol, I love Money, Making the Band, I love NY (please!) etc… Rappers coming out the woodworks ..singers who cannot sing without some technology like a synthesizer.. singer who try and act….people are stretching their 15 minutes of fame too far….I am not hating , go for your dream that is the American Way…You need to get your paper …legitimately!…working for yourself is the best job security..pay your taxes…why earn or win $ and not pay taxes? Why do people do stupid things to draw attention to themselves?. Is their ego so big they cannot fly under the rader? More money more problems? God knows what he is doing he gives a blessing and if you are stuck on stupid he will move you to jail. Wesley Snipes…T.I…Micheal Vicks….Ray Carruth, Kwame Kilpactrick….Martha Stewart…and the list goes on….your life is God’s gift to you what you do with it is your gift to him….
Some people get all the luck
EC…I have noticed that before…I say don’t talk about it be about it. from my experience the dog with the loudest bark has the least bite…Everyone agrees what the couple did was stupid . We can speculate what we would do however you don’t know until you are in that situation.. it is tempting ..but wrong… and the stupidy impacts us… our tax dollars are keeping them in jail.. if they have a public defender our tax dollars… They were porobaly ubder surveilance since the depoit was made..it is my understanding that any deposit over $10,000 is reported to the IRS.. The authorities were sitting back waiting for them to make their move.. and they moved to Florida. A bank is going to notice that error…..They know they did not put 175k on their deposit slip.. I would not be surprised if the deposit was their income tax refund!
Did they honestly think that the bank wouldn’t realize the mistake?
I never thought I would say this but…I agree wtih UMLAW and mm: Our financial responsibilities are just that – OURS. Would you teach your children that something such as this is right? I wouldn’t because it is WRONG to want to take something that is not rightfully yours. I don’t care that there are CEO’s and others in authority who are robbing us blind with disasters such as the Wall Street mess and automaker bailouts – just because THEY do it does not make it legit, and eventuall they will answer to a higher power. If something like this would have happened to me, I would have IMMEDIATELY contacted the bank to tell them that they made a MISTAKE and to please correct it. It’s a shame that this couple actually believed that the bank would NOT do anything about this, and for these people to have moved to another state knowing full well that they did not have this money legally is a prime example how some people think, and it is a sad commentary regarding the morals and ethics of some in this country.
I agree with everyone who said this couple was absolutely wrong. They knew the money was not their money. They should have reported it to the bank and left it alone until the bank cleared up the error. All of their actions after the bank made the mistake will be used to prosecute them and they should be. From an accounting standpoint there is always a paper trail and eventually even lazy accountants will reconcile accounts and discover the error. Numbers tell a story and often they tell the truth on you!
They black asses tried to play stupid, but it did not work!!!
nobody is as good at playin stupid as your dumb white ass david. you the man at being stupid ain’t ya.
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mad max..david is not “playing” stupid..he is….anyway the wife melisa claims her husband a roofing installer often gets large checks so they were not aware of the error. however they wrote checks to other accounts, bought a new vehicle and moved to orlando where the $ was traced they also have been assigned a public defender….
DAVID YOU DUMB A$$ THEY’RE WHITE
I would have put the money in the highest paying cd and kept the interest when they figured it out. I wouldn’t have moved and tried to spend the money. Even if they claimed I didn’t deserve the interest, they couldn’t arrest me for anything.
I would let the money sit in my account also and kept workn and living hust as normal life as possible and alittle at a time withdrew sum money with my bank card paying bills and stuff and when they noticed it it would have looked like a innocent mistake but to move and quit jobs and all that was a little to obvious.
At least 4 months of buisness, also internet glich all type of annoynomous winnings sent to email accounts , supprise assholse didnt file some type of complaint or make up some sht after flipping/pocketing some of that six month worth of bullsht ass headacke/money.
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