What Should I Do? Bank and Employer Issues (Very Long)

3lynns · **What Should I Do? Bank and Employer Issues (Very Long)**

I am not sure what to do.
Some of you may know that we have really been going through a rough period lately. Utilities were turned off, cable, phone, internet, gas and electric along with our cell phones. Well last week when our gas and electric was off I had an unexpected payroll deposit from my recent employer. They still owed me but not as much as was deposited. Needless to say it was enough to pay all of our utilities to turn them back on.
Stupid me doesn't call them to see what happened. I just used the money to pay the bills. Well that was Friday. Wednesday I look at the bank statement and they reversed the total amount that was deposited.

We now have almost $1000 negative in our account and pending checks to go through still. (Not utilities)
During this time we decided to withdraw from my Roth IRA to help catch up with all of our bills so that we are at least even and can start over. That check was supposed to be here Tuesday. It still is not here. IT would have made our account not go negative.
I called my previous employer and kind of told them the truth kind of not. I told them that I thought it was one of my husbands bonus checks so I paid the bills. Convincing them that my dh works 3 jobs and we sometimes do not communicate on a regular basis. I just assumed the money was in there from him.
I told them that I thought that I should have been notified of the reversal. Now I have late fees and probably will continue to have them until we can clear it up. Understandably they are not paying our late fees. End of story. Should I call them again? My dh thinks that I should call and chew them out for not contacting us about the reversal. I am not good at confrontation and do not think that they will budge on it.
I did call the Investment office as well about other check twice and had to leave a message with two different people on the status of the check. What is going on? Why can't anything be easy? UGH
Sorry for the very very long vent. Thanks for reading if you made it this far. I am just so lost right now.

TIA

Finalscore2g3b · 11-02-2007, 12:36 AM

Oh boy. Ive had things deposited then reversed too, twice this year. Maybe they can fed ex you the check? I hope things get better for you soon. Think positive, think money.

mnmomma · 11-02-2007, 10:44 AM

Let me get this straight- your employer deposited more money in your account than you were owed, you realized this and instead of contacting the empolyer- you used the money and now are mad at the bank for not contacting you about the reversal? What if your previous employer had not realized what they had done- would you have ever said anything? I am sorry- but the only person you should be mad at is yourself. You should not have used the money to catch up on your utilities- period. You were using money that wasn't yours. I am sorry that you are now in a worse off position with all the fee's from NSF checks. I guess I would call the bank and instead of chewing them a new one like your husband said- I would try to sweet talk them- have you ever had a NSF checks before- if these are your first maybe they will waive the bank fees- but you still will likely have fees from the places that tried to cash the checks- those I would just chalk up as a lesson learned. Sorry!

Oh I just see that they reversed the total amount- well I would contact the employer if they still owe you money. I still think you should have pointed out the error to the employer in the first place.

3lynns · 11-02-2007, 11:05 AM

Your're right I should have contacted my employer, BUT with all that we have been going through lately I honestly thought maybe I was shorted some hours. I was floating from store to store and there had already been a previous mistake with hours while doing that. (More than there should have been) And I did contact them on that.
Unfortunately we have had NSF fees already and I am positive that there is no way to reverse it.
I guess my initial reaction was my kids. We needed a place to live. In Wisconsin it has been down to 30-35 degrees every night. My dh stayed at the house and he said that the temp was reading about 42 in the morning.
I definately have viewed it as a lesson learned. Trust me all I can do is go through flyer after flyer and coupon after coupon and figure out the best and most cost effective way to feed our family.
Trust me I am crying while I read this because I am so ashamed of my behavior. Right now we are in the season where they cannot turn off the heat. I need to stay on top of the bills and not let this happen again. I feel like I need someone connected to me 24/7 telling me what and what not to do. What is wrong with me?
Thanks for the advice.

Debbiesmom · 11-02-2007, 11:09 AM

I'm really sorry that you spent the money before contacting them, but really, there is nothing much you can do.

Debbiesmom · 11-02-2007, 11:10 AM

Last winter, we got assistance for our heating bill(in Ohio) through HEAP. Maybe you should see if there is anything available for you. We picked up an application at the library.

macknkeebler · 11-02-2007, 11:15 AM

What about trying to file for heat assistance though the state? I have no idea how much your family makes but for a family of five the amount that you have to be under is pretty high. I would call your heath and human services department in your county and see what it is. I'm so sorry about what you have been going through, I've been there too.

melsb · 11-02-2007, 11:19 AM

I'm sorry but banks don't call when things change - unless you know someone at the bank. I would contact your heating / power company and explain the problem. I know my power company does have emergency money for people who need their heating, esecially during the winter months. Explain you have money coming and that you will pay them. And when that money comes make sure you pay them what you promised. Do you have any family that can loan you the money?

Then take a deep breath and remember You Will Get Through This! Everyone screws up and you need to pick up the pieces and move forward.

Bucsnpats · 11-02-2007, 11:33 AM

Sonja, my heart goes out to you, and I wish that there was something I could do to help you fix this. I am sending lots of good thoughts your way that all of this gets cleared up and cleared up FAST!

Big Hugs ((((((((Hugs))))))))

sounds like a few of the people here gave you some good advice.....keeping my fingers crossed for you.

3lynns · 11-02-2007, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Debbiesmom

Last winter, we got assistance for our heating bill(in Ohio) through HEAP. Maybe you should see if there is anything available for you. We picked up an application at the library.

Yeah we contacted them and make like $200 every 3 months more than the minimum.

Plus my husbands fire department check is so unpredictable they average it and it always ends up way higher. We would be fine if I could just stop shopping for silly things. Now it is just a matter of catching up.

Good new is this month I have not gone to the store yet!