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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: CountDeMoney on June 20, 2013, 07:30:52 AM

Poll
Question: Do you or don't you?
Option 1: God, Baby Jesus and Elvis would want me to do The Right Thing, turn it in votes: 11
Option 2: Chase label on the bag?  Oh hells no votes: 18
Title: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: CountDeMoney on June 20, 2013, 07:30:52 AM
QuoteOut-of-work teacher finds bank bag containing $20K on side of road - and turns it in
Candace Scott, an unemployed teacher in College Station, Texas, discovered the bag and turned it into her local Chase bank branch. Thankfully, her honesty was rewarded.


One man's dirty diaper is another woman's cash cow.

An unemployed teacher driving in College Station, Texas, on Tuesday morning spotted a bag on the road that appeared to her like a soiled diaper and pulled over, thinking that someone had discarded it.

Candace Scott would soon find out the bag held much more - $20,000 in cash.

Even though she is out of work, Scott never for a second thought of keeping the money.

She told the Eagle newspaper that she first mulled calling 911 to report it missing or driving it to her local police precinct.

Scott ended up driving it to the local Chase branch to report the money found, as the bag had a Chase bank label on it, The Eagle newspaper reported.

The bank teller graciously thanked the Good Samaritan for returning the money.

"She told me I'm the most honest person in the world, and I said, 'Or the dumbest.'"

While driving along the road, Scott said the bag barely caught her eye. "It looked like a gallon-size baggie with a blue zipper on top.

"It just barely caught my eye, and I thought it was money, then was like, 'Nah, it's probably a dirty diaper.'"

Scott made the decision to turn around and investigate. But before she could, a dump truck drove over the bag, partially ripping it open.

Still, the out-of-work teacher was able to retrieve it. "There were two huge bundles of hundred-dollar bills wrapped in rubber bands," Scott said.

She told The Eagle that she initially thought it could be money from a drug deal before she spotted Chase's logo. She never counted the full amount before turning it in, but Greg Hassell, a Houston-based spokesman for the bank, said the bag contained around $20,000.

He refused to comment further about how the windfall came to rest on the side of a Texas road, citing carrier security issues.

But Scott wasn't left empty-handed for her honesty - she was given a $500 Chase debit card.

"Maybe it's a sign my luck is changing," an optimistic Scott told the newspaper.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Pedrito on June 20, 2013, 07:32:09 AM
OH HELLS NO

L.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: The Brain on June 20, 2013, 07:33:09 AM
There are a number of reasons why I would turn in a bag of money to the police.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: merithyn on June 20, 2013, 07:34:02 AM
I'd want to keep it... very badly, especially because I really, really hate Chase Bank. But everytime I spent a dollar of that money, I'd feel like absolute shit. So yes, I'd turn it in. :weep:
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Valmy on June 20, 2013, 07:35:50 AM
I would turn it in out of sheer paranoia.  When you suddenly start depositing lots of cash, or using lots of cash, it gets people suspicious you are a drug dealer or doing something else illegal.  Besides how do I know the money is not counterfeit?  Too dangerous, best to turn it in and take my chances of getting a measely $500.00 gift card.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Grey Fox on June 20, 2013, 07:36:12 AM
Is this a serious question?

I'd keep it, of course I'd keep it.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 20, 2013, 07:40:12 AM
Is it breaking a law to keep it?

Serious question.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: The Brain on June 20, 2013, 07:46:35 AM
Obviously I wouldn't turn it in to anyone else than the police.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: CountDeMoney on June 20, 2013, 07:47:11 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 20, 2013, 07:40:12 AM
Is it breaking a law to keep it?

Serious question.

Yup.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: The Brain on June 20, 2013, 07:48:26 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 20, 2013, 07:47:11 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 20, 2013, 07:40:12 AM
Is it breaking a law to keep it?

Serious question.

Yup.

It's Texas, so you can keep it if you find it after sunset.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: merithyn on June 20, 2013, 07:52:30 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 20, 2013, 07:47:11 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 20, 2013, 07:40:12 AM
Is it breaking a law to keep it?

Serious question.

Yup.

Which law? Why is it illegal to keep money that you've found?
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: The Brain on June 20, 2013, 07:53:31 AM
I find cars all the time in the streets. Of course I keep them, it's legal.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: garbon on June 20, 2013, 08:00:14 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 20, 2013, 07:35:50 AM
I would turn it in out of sheer paranoia.  When you suddenly start depositing lots of cash, or using lots of cash, it gets people suspicious you are a drug dealer or doing something else illegal.  Besides how do I know the money is not counterfeit?  Too dangerous, best to turn it in and take my chances of getting a measely $500.00 gift card.

I think I'd destroy it before handing it over to Chase. Fuck them.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: The Brain on June 20, 2013, 08:00:58 AM
Why not instead destroy Chase and keep the money?
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Razgovory on June 20, 2013, 08:09:38 AM
Turn it in.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Tamas on June 20, 2013, 08:13:02 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 20, 2013, 07:35:50 AM
I would turn it in out of sheer paranoia.  When you suddenly start depositing lots of cash, or using lots of cash, it gets people suspicious you are a drug dealer or doing something else illegal.  Besides how do I know the money is not counterfeit?  Too dangerous, best to turn it in and take my chances of getting a measely $500.00 gift card.

I voted FUCK NO, but this is actually a good point.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Eddie Teach on June 20, 2013, 08:17:23 AM
Did anybody see me find it and pick it up? :shifty:
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: CountDeMoney on June 20, 2013, 08:20:30 AM
Quote from: merithyn on June 20, 2013, 07:52:30 AM
Which law? Why is it illegal to keep money that you've found?

Because lost money is still somebody else's, particularly in a bank bag where the owner's name is printed on it.  It is not abandoned property, just lost property and that does not remove the legality of it still being their property. 
The Law of the Briny Deep does not apply.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Malthus on June 20, 2013, 08:22:50 AM
I actually got a windfall out of a bank once, many years ago when I was a broke teen.

Happened like this: I was down to my last few cents and needed cash, fast, for a cab - it was like 2 in the AM and I was drunk and stoned far from home, and on my own, having just vacated a party.

I walked and walked to find a bank machine. They weren't as common then, this was the only one for a long way, on the wall outside a bank. Some guy was ahead of me, using his card. It didn't work. The machine would not give any cash for him. He warned me not to use it, machine was fucked.

But I really, really needed some cash. So I put my card in, thinking maybe it was just his card that was fucked. The other guy stuck around, to see what would happen. I tried to take 20 bucks out.

The machine gave a strange grinding sound, and instead of the 20 bucks, a sort of chewed up wad poked out of the slot. I pulled on this, and it turned out to be a wad of bills. Both of us kept pulling on the wad and the bills kept comming. Some of them were pretty mangled, but in the end we had a few hundred dollars worth.

We just split that cash and took off. There was no question of handing it back to the bank, even though I suppose it would be pretty easy for the bank to find us - it had our card info. Nothing came of it, though. 
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: CountDeMoney on June 20, 2013, 08:26:19 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 20, 2013, 07:35:50 AM
I would turn it in out of sheer paranoia.  When you suddenly start depositing lots of cash, or using lots of cash, it gets people suspicious you are a drug dealer or doing something else illegal.  Besides how do I know the money is not counterfeit?  Too dangerous, best to turn it in and take my chances of getting a measely $500.00 gift card.

Fuck it.  If I got pinched, I'd take my chances with a jury anyway, and in the meantime turn the trial into a public indictment of the modern predatory capitalist model.

And then continue to blog for my man Ed on MSNBC from my cell.  :unsure:
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: The Brain on June 20, 2013, 08:28:46 AM
If I spot a 100 SEK bill on the ground I don't turn it in. I don't pick it up either.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: CountDeMoney on June 20, 2013, 08:30:36 AM
Quote from: Malthus on June 20, 2013, 08:22:50 AM
it was like 2 in the AM and I was drunk and stoned far from home, and on my own, having just vacated a party.

http://youtu.be/zPvXXfbN54g

Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Grey Fox on June 20, 2013, 08:42:25 AM
Quote from: Malthus on June 20, 2013, 08:22:50 AM
I actually got a windfall out of a bank once, many years ago when I was a broke teen.

Happened like this: I was down to my last few cents and needed cash, fast, for a cab - it was like 2 in the AM and I was drunk and stoned far from home, and on my own, having just vacated a party.

I walked and walked to find a bank machine. They weren't as common then, this was the only one for a long way, on the wall outside a bank. Some guy was ahead of me, using his card. It didn't work. The machine would not give any cash for him. He warned me not to use it, machine was fucked.

But I really, really needed some cash. So I put my card in, thinking maybe it was just his card that was fucked. The other guy stuck around, to see what would happen. I tried to take 20 bucks out.

The machine gave a strange grinding sound, and instead of the 20 bucks, a sort of chewed up wad poked out of the slot. I pulled on this, and it turned out to be a wad of bills. Both of us kept pulling on the wad and the bills kept comming. Some of them were pretty mangled, but in the end we had a few hundred dollars worth.

We just split that cash and took off. There was no question of handing it back to the bank, even though I suppose it would be pretty easy for the bank to find us - it had our card info. Nothing came of it, though.

No one is watching those camera feed.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Grey Fox on June 20, 2013, 08:42:52 AM
I would keep it, I would not deposit in my bank account & I would only use it to buy groceries.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: merithyn on June 20, 2013, 08:51:12 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 20, 2013, 08:20:30 AM
Quote from: merithyn on June 20, 2013, 07:52:30 AM
Which law? Why is it illegal to keep money that you've found?

Because lost money is still somebody else's, particularly in a bank bag where the owner's name is printed on it.  It is not abandoned property, just lost property and that does not remove the legality of it still being their property. 
The Law of the Briny Deep does not apply.

Okay. Makes sense. :)
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Malthus on June 20, 2013, 08:54:27 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 20, 2013, 08:30:36 AM
Quote from: Malthus on June 20, 2013, 08:22:50 AM
it was like 2 in the AM and I was drunk and stoned far from home, and on my own, having just vacated a party.

http://youtu.be/zPvXXfbN54g

Hey, getting cash for a cab home disproves that theory.  :P
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Malthus on June 20, 2013, 08:57:43 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 20, 2013, 08:42:25 AM
No one is watching those camera feed.

I would have thought they only recorded it and would look at it if someone attempted a robbery the bank later found out about.

Sadly, in the case above, I think the real losers were probably everyone who tried to take out cash before I did. The cash got stuck somehow inside the machine. So the bank's records wouldn't show any issues - the machine readings would say all the cash requested was dispensed.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: CountDeMoney on June 20, 2013, 09:05:36 AM
Quote from: Malthus on June 20, 2013, 08:57:43 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 20, 2013, 08:42:25 AM
No one is watching those camera feed.

I would have thought they only recorded it and would look at it if someone attempted a robbery the bank later found out about.

Sadly, in the case above, I think the real losers were probably everyone who tried to take out cash before I did. The cash got stuck somehow inside the machine. So the bank's records wouldn't show any issues - the machine readings would say all the cash requested was dispensed.

Yeah, those feeds are laid down on DVRs, but they can go back for months.  But it sounds like the feeder got fubar'd, and everybody else's accounts before you showed as dispensed.  Your lucky night.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Barrister on June 20, 2013, 09:17:03 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 20, 2013, 08:42:25 AM
Quote from: Malthus on June 20, 2013, 08:22:50 AM
I actually got a windfall out of a bank once, many years ago when I was a broke teen.

Happened like this: I was down to my last few cents and needed cash, fast, for a cab - it was like 2 in the AM and I was drunk and stoned far from home, and on my own, having just vacated a party.

I walked and walked to find a bank machine. They weren't as common then, this was the only one for a long way, on the wall outside a bank. Some guy was ahead of me, using his card. It didn't work. The machine would not give any cash for him. He warned me not to use it, machine was fucked.

But I really, really needed some cash. So I put my card in, thinking maybe it was just his card that was fucked. The other guy stuck around, to see what would happen. I tried to take 20 bucks out.

The machine gave a strange grinding sound, and instead of the 20 bucks, a sort of chewed up wad poked out of the slot. I pulled on this, and it turned out to be a wad of bills. Both of us kept pulling on the wad and the bills kept comming. Some of them were pretty mangled, but in the end we had a few hundred dollars worth.

We just split that cash and took off. There was no question of handing it back to the bank, even though I suppose it would be pretty easy for the bank to find us - it had our card info. Nothing came of it, though.

No one is watching those camera feed.

:huh:

But it is being recorded, and once there is a problem they can go back and look at the recording.  I see ATM CCTV footage all the time.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: CountDeMoney on June 20, 2013, 09:18:19 AM
Go get 'em, counselor!
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: The Brain on June 20, 2013, 09:18:56 AM
Quote from: Barrister on June 20, 2013, 09:17:03 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 20, 2013, 08:42:25 AM
Quote from: Malthus on June 20, 2013, 08:22:50 AM
I actually got a windfall out of a bank once, many years ago when I was a broke teen.

Happened like this: I was down to my last few cents and needed cash, fast, for a cab - it was like 2 in the AM and I was drunk and stoned far from home, and on my own, having just vacated a party.

I walked and walked to find a bank machine. They weren't as common then, this was the only one for a long way, on the wall outside a bank. Some guy was ahead of me, using his card. It didn't work. The machine would not give any cash for him. He warned me not to use it, machine was fucked.

But I really, really needed some cash. So I put my card in, thinking maybe it was just his card that was fucked. The other guy stuck around, to see what would happen. I tried to take 20 bucks out.

The machine gave a strange grinding sound, and instead of the 20 bucks, a sort of chewed up wad poked out of the slot. I pulled on this, and it turned out to be a wad of bills. Both of us kept pulling on the wad and the bills kept comming. Some of them were pretty mangled, but in the end we had a few hundred dollars worth.

We just split that cash and took off. There was no question of handing it back to the bank, even though I suppose it would be pretty easy for the bank to find us - it had our card info. Nothing came of it, though.

No one is watching those camera feed.

:huh:

But it is being recorded, and once there is a problem they can go back and look at the recording.  I see ATM CCTV footage all the time.

You dirty dirty man.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Valmy on June 20, 2013, 09:20:07 AM
Quote from: The Brain on June 20, 2013, 09:18:56 AM
You dirty dirty man.

:lol:
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Grey Fox on June 20, 2013, 09:21:30 AM
Quote from: Barrister on June 20, 2013, 09:17:03 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 20, 2013, 08:42:25 AM
Quote from: Malthus on June 20, 2013, 08:22:50 AM
I actually got a windfall out of a bank once, many years ago when I was a broke teen.

Happened like this: I was down to my last few cents and needed cash, fast, for a cab - it was like 2 in the AM and I was drunk and stoned far from home, and on my own, having just vacated a party.

I walked and walked to find a bank machine. They weren't as common then, this was the only one for a long way, on the wall outside a bank. Some guy was ahead of me, using his card. It didn't work. The machine would not give any cash for him. He warned me not to use it, machine was fucked.

But I really, really needed some cash. So I put my card in, thinking maybe it was just his card that was fucked. The other guy stuck around, to see what would happen. I tried to take 20 bucks out.

The machine gave a strange grinding sound, and instead of the 20 bucks, a sort of chewed up wad poked out of the slot. I pulled on this, and it turned out to be a wad of bills. Both of us kept pulling on the wad and the bills kept comming. Some of them were pretty mangled, but in the end we had a few hundred dollars worth.

We just split that cash and took off. There was no question of handing it back to the bank, even though I suppose it would be pretty easy for the bank to find us - it had our card info. Nothing came of it, though.

No one is watching those camera feed.

:huh:

But it is being recorded, and once there is a problem they can go back and look at the recording.  I see ATM CCTV footage all the time.

Is there a lot of problems?
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Barrister on June 20, 2013, 09:25:05 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 20, 2013, 09:21:30 AM
Quote from: Barrister on June 20, 2013, 09:17:03 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 20, 2013, 08:42:25 AM
Quote from: Malthus on June 20, 2013, 08:22:50 AM
I actually got a windfall out of a bank once, many years ago when I was a broke teen.

Happened like this: I was down to my last few cents and needed cash, fast, for a cab - it was like 2 in the AM and I was drunk and stoned far from home, and on my own, having just vacated a party.

I walked and walked to find a bank machine. They weren't as common then, this was the only one for a long way, on the wall outside a bank. Some guy was ahead of me, using his card. It didn't work. The machine would not give any cash for him. He warned me not to use it, machine was fucked.

But I really, really needed some cash. So I put my card in, thinking maybe it was just his card that was fucked. The other guy stuck around, to see what would happen. I tried to take 20 bucks out.

The machine gave a strange grinding sound, and instead of the 20 bucks, a sort of chewed up wad poked out of the slot. I pulled on this, and it turned out to be a wad of bills. Both of us kept pulling on the wad and the bills kept comming. Some of them were pretty mangled, but in the end we had a few hundred dollars worth.

We just split that cash and took off. There was no question of handing it back to the bank, even though I suppose it would be pretty easy for the bank to find us - it had our card info. Nothing came of it, though.

No one is watching those camera feed.

:huh:

But it is being recorded, and once there is a problem they can go back and look at the recording.  I see ATM CCTV footage all the time.

Is there a lot of problems?

Most commonly it's people using stolen bank cards.  Rarely there's a robbery or the like.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: CountDeMoney on June 20, 2013, 09:27:11 AM
Don't ever use those non-bank ATMs you find in shitty convenience stores or standing next to Cal in gas stations.  They're not subject to the same internal controls on privacy as banks are with the Bank Secrecy Act, and they are very popular with the Russian mob.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Valmy on June 20, 2013, 09:28:27 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 20, 2013, 09:27:11 AM
Don't ever use those non-bank ATMs you find in shitty convenience stores or standing next to Cal in gas stations.  They're not subject to the same internal controls on privacy as banks are with the Bank Secrecy Act, and they are very popular with the Russian mob.

The ones in strip clubs are ok though right?
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: CountDeMoney on June 20, 2013, 09:30:37 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 20, 2013, 09:28:27 AM
The ones in strip clubs are ok though right?

CASH FOR MOOSE AND SQVIRREL.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: DGuller on June 20, 2013, 09:32:11 AM
I wouldn't risk jail over trifle amounts.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: DGuller on June 20, 2013, 09:33:17 AM
Quote from: Malthus on June 20, 2013, 08:22:50 AM
I actually got a windfall out of a bank once, many years ago when I was a broke teen.

Happened like this: I was down to my last few cents and needed cash, fast, for a cab - it was like 2 in the AM and I was drunk and stoned far from home, and on my own, having just vacated a party.

I walked and walked to find a bank machine. They weren't as common then, this was the only one for a long way, on the wall outside a bank. Some guy was ahead of me, using his card. It didn't work. The machine would not give any cash for him. He warned me not to use it, machine was fucked.

But I really, really needed some cash. So I put my card in, thinking maybe it was just his card that was fucked. The other guy stuck around, to see what would happen. I tried to take 20 bucks out.

The machine gave a strange grinding sound, and instead of the 20 bucks, a sort of chewed up wad poked out of the slot. I pulled on this, and it turned out to be a wad of bills. Both of us kept pulling on the wad and the bills kept comming. Some of them were pretty mangled, but in the end we had a few hundred dollars worth.

We just split that cash and took off. There was no question of handing it back to the bank, even though I suppose it would be pretty easy for the bank to find us - it had our card info. Nothing came of it, though.
You should have offered to split the loot 80-20, under threat of turning over that cash to the bank.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Jacob on June 20, 2013, 09:33:48 AM
I expect I'd turn it in.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Valmy on June 20, 2013, 09:33:52 AM
Quote from: DGuller on June 20, 2013, 09:32:11 AM
I wouldn't risk jail over trifle amounts.

Yeah if it was 100 million dollars cash or something...that would be something to think about.  Not sure how I would transfer that much cash money to Switzerland though.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Grey Fox on June 20, 2013, 09:33:56 AM
Quote from: Barrister on June 20, 2013, 09:25:05 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 20, 2013, 09:21:30 AM
Quote from: Barrister on June 20, 2013, 09:17:03 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 20, 2013, 08:42:25 AM
Quote from: Malthus on June 20, 2013, 08:22:50 AM
I actually got a windfall out of a bank once, many years ago when I was a broke teen.

Happened like this: I was down to my last few cents and needed cash, fast, for a cab - it was like 2 in the AM and I was drunk and stoned far from home, and on my own, having just vacated a party.

I walked and walked to find a bank machine. They weren't as common then, this was the only one for a long way, on the wall outside a bank. Some guy was ahead of me, using his card. It didn't work. The machine would not give any cash for him. He warned me not to use it, machine was fucked.

But I really, really needed some cash. So I put my card in, thinking maybe it was just his card that was fucked. The other guy stuck around, to see what would happen. I tried to take 20 bucks out.

The machine gave a strange grinding sound, and instead of the 20 bucks, a sort of chewed up wad poked out of the slot. I pulled on this, and it turned out to be a wad of bills. Both of us kept pulling on the wad and the bills kept comming. Some of them were pretty mangled, but in the end we had a few hundred dollars worth.

We just split that cash and took off. There was no question of handing it back to the bank, even though I suppose it would be pretty easy for the bank to find us - it had our card info. Nothing came of it, though.

No one is watching those camera feed.

:huh:

But it is being recorded, and once there is a problem they can go back and look at the recording.  I see ATM CCTV footage all the time.

Is there a lot of problems?

Most commonly it's people using stolen bank cards.  Rarely there's a robbery or the like.

Oh dumb criminals.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: CountDeMoney on June 20, 2013, 09:37:23 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 20, 2013, 09:33:52 AM
Quote from: DGuller on June 20, 2013, 09:32:11 AM
I wouldn't risk jail over trifle amounts.

Yeah if it was 100 million dollars cash or something...that would be something to think about.

Trifle amounts don't always get noticed.  Trifle amounts wind up in the P&L ledger as a write-off and are forgotten. 
But 100 million dollars, somebody will chase you round the Moons of Nibia, and round the Antares Maelstrom, and round Perdition's Flames before they give it up.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Eddie Teach on June 20, 2013, 09:39:40 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 20, 2013, 09:33:52 AM
Quote from: DGuller on June 20, 2013, 09:32:11 AM
I wouldn't risk jail over trifle amounts.

Yeah if it was 100 million dollars cash or something...that would be something to think about.  Not sure how I would transfer that much cash money to Switzerland though.

In your pocket maybe.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fboingboing.net%2Fimages%2F_one-million-dollars.jpg&hash=56fea5ca3ee58e6d7c4bbaa6f57ba806b21d5a02)
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: garbon on June 20, 2013, 09:46:39 AM
Actually just donate to charity. :)
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: grumbler on June 20, 2013, 10:19:29 AM
Here's what I don't get
Quotespotted a bag on the road that appeared to her like a soiled diaper and pulled over, thinking that someone had discarded it.

What kind of a person pulls over to pick up soiled diapers?
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on June 20, 2013, 10:20:42 AM
In England it would be theft if you kept it. You hand it in at the police station and if nobody claims it it becomes yours after 28 days. Theoretically that applies to fivers or a tenner too, but I doubt anyone would actually go through all that rigmarole for a few quid.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: merithyn on June 20, 2013, 10:24:13 AM
Quote from: grumbler on June 20, 2013, 10:19:29 AM
Here's what I don't get
Quotespotted a bag on the road that appeared to her like a soiled diaper and pulled over, thinking that someone had discarded it.

What kind of a person pulls over to pick up soiled diapers?

She said that she thought it was money, then figured it had to be a dirty diaper, but she turned around to find out.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: DGuller on June 20, 2013, 10:27:22 AM
Quote from: grumbler on June 20, 2013, 10:19:29 AM
Here's what I don't get
Quotespotted a bag on the road that appeared to her like a soiled diaper and pulled over, thinking that someone had discarded it.

What kind of a person pulls over to pick up soiled diapers?
Yeah, I was scratching my head there too.

Woman:  Ooh, ooh, a soiled diaper, let's pull over and take a look! :w00t:  Oh, it's just a bag with money.  :(
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Malthus on June 20, 2013, 10:39:02 AM
Quote from: DGuller on June 20, 2013, 09:33:17 AM
Quote from: Malthus on June 20, 2013, 08:22:50 AM
I actually got a windfall out of a bank once, many years ago when I was a broke teen.

Happened like this: I was down to my last few cents and needed cash, fast, for a cab - it was like 2 in the AM and I was drunk and stoned far from home, and on my own, having just vacated a party.

I walked and walked to find a bank machine. They weren't as common then, this was the only one for a long way, on the wall outside a bank. Some guy was ahead of me, using his card. It didn't work. The machine would not give any cash for him. He warned me not to use it, machine was fucked.

But I really, really needed some cash. So I put my card in, thinking maybe it was just his card that was fucked. The other guy stuck around, to see what would happen. I tried to take 20 bucks out.

The machine gave a strange grinding sound, and instead of the 20 bucks, a sort of chewed up wad poked out of the slot. I pulled on this, and it turned out to be a wad of bills. Both of us kept pulling on the wad and the bills kept comming. Some of them were pretty mangled, but in the end we had a few hundred dollars worth.

We just split that cash and took off. There was no question of handing it back to the bank, even though I suppose it would be pretty easy for the bank to find us - it had our card info. Nothing came of it, though.
You should have offered to split the loot 80-20, under threat of turning over that cash to the bank.

Because arguing over stolen loot at 2 am on a deserted street with a complete stranger when you are drunk is a good idea ... ?  ;)
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: merithyn on June 20, 2013, 10:47:36 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 20, 2013, 07:30:52 AM
While driving along the road, Scott said the bag barely caught her eye. "It looked like a gallon-size baggie with a blue zipper on top.

"It just barely caught my eye, and I thought it was money, then was like, 'Nah, it's probably a dirty diaper.'"

Scott made the decision to turn around and investigate. But before she could, a dump truck drove over the bag, partially ripping it open.


For heaven's sake.... :rolleyes:
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: garbon on June 20, 2013, 10:49:34 AM
Quote from: merithyn on June 20, 2013, 10:47:36 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 20, 2013, 07:30:52 AM
While driving along the road, Scott said the bag barely caught her eye. "It looked like a gallon-size baggie with a blue zipper on top.

"It just barely caught my eye, and I thought it was money, then was like, 'Nah, it's probably a dirty diaper.'"

Scott made the decision to turn around and investigate. But before she could, a dump truck drove over the bag, partially ripping it open.


For heaven's sake.... :rolleyes:

I always think bags on the side of the road are money or diapers. Unfortunately I never investigate. :(
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: merithyn on June 20, 2013, 10:51:55 AM
Quote from: garbon on June 20, 2013, 10:49:34 AM

I always think bags on the side of the road are money or diapers. Unfortunately I never investigate. :(

Now you know that you should. :sleep:
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Barrister on June 20, 2013, 10:56:46 AM
Quote from: garbon on June 20, 2013, 09:46:39 AM
Actually just donate to charity. :)

Charity couldn't accept a cash donation that large.

Edit: or rather it would have to be reported, including your name.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Razgovory on June 20, 2013, 10:58:44 AM
Oooh, it's even! I'm trying to figure out if I'm morally superior or just stupid.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Jacob on June 20, 2013, 11:10:49 AM
Quote from: garbon on June 20, 2013, 09:46:39 AM
Actually just donate to charity. :)

Thing is, the money might not have belonged to Chase, but rather a Chase customer. It could be someone from a small business on their way to make a deposit who lost the money.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: garbon on June 20, 2013, 11:13:12 AM
Quote from: Jacob on June 20, 2013, 11:10:49 AM
Quote from: garbon on June 20, 2013, 09:46:39 AM
Actually just donate to charity. :)

Thing is, the money might not have belonged to Chase, but rather a Chase customer. It could be someone from a small business on their way to make a deposit who lost the money.

Sucks to be them.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Jacob on June 20, 2013, 11:16:17 AM
Quote from: garbon on June 20, 2013, 11:13:12 AMSucks to be them.

:lol:

Even when you contemplate charity your cruelty shines through.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: MadImmortalMan on June 20, 2013, 11:17:30 AM
Quote from: grumbler on June 20, 2013, 10:19:29 AM
Here's what I don't get
Quotespotted a bag on the road that appeared to her like a soiled diaper and pulled over, thinking that someone had discarded it.

What kind of a person pulls over to pick up soiled diapers?

It's College Station.

Aggies.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Ed Anger on June 20, 2013, 11:35:54 AM
I like Chase bank.  :)
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: merithyn on June 20, 2013, 12:09:28 PM
Quote from: Jacob on June 20, 2013, 11:10:49 AM
Quote from: garbon on June 20, 2013, 09:46:39 AM
Actually just donate to charity. :)

Thing is, the money might not have belonged to Chase, but rather a Chase customer. It could be someone from a small business on their way to make a deposit who lost the money.

A deposit slip will have been in the bag, then.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Valmy on June 20, 2013, 12:11:32 PM
Quote from: merithyn on June 20, 2013, 12:09:28 PM
A deposit slip will have been in the bag, then.

They still make those?
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Barrister on June 20, 2013, 12:14:14 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 20, 2013, 12:11:32 PM
Quote from: merithyn on June 20, 2013, 12:09:28 PM
A deposit slip will have been in the bag, then.

They still make those?

Yes.  How else do you record cash deposits?

I'm all up on this because I just had to prepare a big employee theft case where the employee was screwing around with the cash deposits. :smarty:
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Valmy on June 20, 2013, 12:17:47 PM
Quote from: Barrister on June 20, 2013, 12:14:14 PM
Yes.  How else do you record cash deposits?

I put cash into the machine and it spits out a receipt.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: The Larch on June 20, 2013, 12:19:10 PM
I'm pretty sure that notes on a bank supply bag (I assume it was a bag used for cash supply to bank offices that got lost) are somehow labelled or followed for, as the very least, supply management stuff, let alone legal stuff. The moment you use one of those bank notes somebody's alarm is going to ring.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Maximus on June 20, 2013, 12:19:51 PM
Quote from: merithyn on June 20, 2013, 12:09:28 PM
A deposit slip will have been in the bag, then.

I just withdrew a bunch of cash this morning. I got it in an envelope with the bank's name on it, no deposit slip in the envelope.

Of course it wasn't $20k. Maybe things are different at that level.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Maximus on June 20, 2013, 12:21:11 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 20, 2013, 12:17:47 PM
I put cash into the machine and it spits out a receipt.

Machines here don't accept deposits. I figured it was a US thing. Wish they did.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: merithyn on June 20, 2013, 12:24:38 PM
Quote from: Maximus on June 20, 2013, 12:19:51 PM
Quote from: merithyn on June 20, 2013, 12:09:28 PM
A deposit slip will have been in the bag, then.

I just withdrew a bunch of cash this morning. I got it in an envelope with the bank's name on it, no deposit slip in the envelope.

Of course it wasn't $20k. Maybe things are different at that level.

The question was one of deposit, not withdrawal. But yes, even a withdrawal will often come with a receipt when done for a business or for someone who requests it.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 20, 2013, 01:29:10 PM
Quote from: Maximus on June 20, 2013, 12:21:11 PM
Machines here don't accept deposits. I figured it was a US thing. Wish they did.

Really?  I've never banked anywhere that didn't allow deposits on their own machines.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Iormlund on June 20, 2013, 01:51:31 PM
Quote from: Barrister on June 20, 2013, 09:25:05 AM
Most commonly it's people using stolen bank cards.  Rarely there's a robbery or the like.

The stupidity of some people never ceases to amaze me. Who the hell doesn't know there are cameras at ATMs?
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Barrister on June 20, 2013, 01:54:06 PM
Quote from: Iormlund on June 20, 2013, 01:51:31 PM
Quote from: Barrister on June 20, 2013, 09:25:05 AM
Most commonly it's people using stolen bank cards.  Rarely there's a robbery or the like.

The stupidity of some people never ceases to amaze me. Who the hell doesn't know there are cameras at ATMs?

Stupid and/or desperate.

Another common ploy is for someone to use an ATM to "desposit", say, a $1000 cheque into their account, when in fact the envelope they put in the machine is empty.  I mean - it's their own account!  Of course they're going to get caught.  But people still do it...
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 20, 2013, 02:06:35 PM
Quote from: Iormlund on June 20, 2013, 01:51:31 PM
The stupidity of some people never ceases to amaze me. Who the hell doesn't know there are cameras at ATMs?

John Connor didn't get caught.  :huh:
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Jacob on June 20, 2013, 02:22:53 PM
Quote from: Barrister on June 20, 2013, 01:54:06 PMStupid and/or desperate.

Another common ploy is for someone to use an ATM to "desposit", say, a $1000 cheque into their account, when in fact the envelope they put in the machine is empty.  I mean - it's their own account!  Of course they're going to get caught.  But people still do it...

Recent thing happening in Vancouver:

Go to a bar or public party where things are hopping.

Either identify a target, or simply seed unattended drinks with date-rape drugs.

Hang back and observe as the drug takes effect. People will just assume the targets are getting super shit faced.

Figure out who is not there with close friends. Bundle them off into a cab. People will assume you're taking care of your too drunk friend.

Head to the nearest bank machine. Get the target's pin numbers (easy, they're super suggestible due to the drugs), deposit fake checks and withdraw the maximum from their various credit cards and bank cards.

The banks will treat it as customer trying to defraud them, the victim will remember few details, and the police will assume they're a drunkard trying to avoid responsibility for their own actions.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 20, 2013, 02:26:36 PM
Anyone here ever been roofied?  (Ruffied?  Rufied?)
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Barrister on June 20, 2013, 02:38:04 PM
Quote from: Jacob on June 20, 2013, 02:22:53 PM
Quote from: Barrister on June 20, 2013, 01:54:06 PMStupid and/or desperate.

Another common ploy is for someone to use an ATM to "desposit", say, a $1000 cheque into their account, when in fact the envelope they put in the machine is empty.  I mean - it's their own account!  Of course they're going to get caught.  But people still do it...

Recent thing happening in Vancouver:

Go to a bar or public party where things are hopping.

Either identify a target, or simply seed unattended drinks with date-rape drugs.

Hang back and observe as the drug takes effect. People will just assume the targets are getting super shit faced.

Figure out who is not there with close friends. Bundle them off into a cab. People will assume you're taking care of your too drunk friend.

Head to the nearest bank machine. Get the target's pin numbers (easy, they're super suggestible due to the drugs), deposit fake checks and withdraw the maximum from their various credit cards and bank cards.

The banks will treat it as customer trying to defraud them, the victim will remember few details, and the police will assume they're a drunkard trying to avoid responsibility for their own actions.

Perhaps.  But far more common occurrence is:

Have serious drug addiction.

Don't have any money for drugs.

Defraud the bank because although you know they'll catch you, it gets you drugs for that weekend, and that's more important right now.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Jacob on June 20, 2013, 02:51:41 PM
Quote from: Barrister on June 20, 2013, 02:38:04 PMPerhaps.  But far more common occurrence is:

Have serious drug addiction.

Don't have any money for drugs.

Defraud the bank because although you know they'll catch you, it gets you drugs for that weekend, and that's more important right now.

For sure it's a common scam; I don't doubt it. But that's exactly why the other thing works so well; it fits so well with the standard narrative that authority figures - like yourself - readily dismiss it.

It happened to a friend of mine, and he's not a drug addict, and he did not need short term cash for anything. He is just your kind of guy actually, small business owner, fairly conservative, likes oil companies and also the wilderness.

In fact, it would make no sense for him to do it because the money that he got hit for, while significant, was much less than what he could have legitimately gotten if he'd gone to the bank and accessed his line of credit (which the bank shut down as a result, freezing all his other assets as well, and causing serious trouble for his business).
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: lustindarkness on June 20, 2013, 03:20:34 PM
I would return it, I know for a fact it is not mine, it would be stealing to keep it. :( Yeah, I would return it. Most of it at least.
Besides, with my luck there are hidden cameras and it would be some tv show trying to see if people are honest. :D
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: mongers on June 20, 2013, 04:39:22 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 20, 2013, 07:40:12 AM
Is it breaking a law to keep it?

Serious question.

Over here, I think it's 'called' something like 'theft by finding'?
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Ideologue on June 20, 2013, 07:00:14 PM
Keep it.  Hide it.  Like GF, use it for groceries and local entertainment, and possibly start making a deposit of $100 every month starting six months later, if feasible.

I think I'd probably be able to do money orders to pay rent, but I'd have to look into how often and how large amounts you can use without being assumed to be funnelling money to terrorists.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Ideologue on June 20, 2013, 07:03:14 PM
Then again, is $20k a large enough amount to call Saul?
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Camerus on June 20, 2013, 07:31:01 PM
I'd turn it into the police or else just leave it there.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Josquius on June 21, 2013, 10:31:47 AM
Keep it.
The only concern is I'll be chased by the authorities/gangsters who lost it.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: KRonn on June 21, 2013, 12:50:46 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 20, 2013, 09:27:11 AM
Don't ever use those non-bank ATMs you find in shitty convenience stores or standing next to Cal in gas stations.  They're not subject to the same internal controls on privacy as banks are with the Bank Secrecy Act, and they are very popular with the Russian mob.
Good to know. There's one in a coffee shop/gas station I go to, and I used it a couple of times but never felt comfortable about it and decided not to use it again anyway.
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Iormlund on June 21, 2013, 01:02:35 PM
Quote from: Barrister on June 20, 2013, 01:54:06 PM
Quote from: Iormlund on June 20, 2013, 01:51:31 PM
Quote from: Barrister on June 20, 2013, 09:25:05 AM
Most commonly it's people using stolen bank cards.  Rarely there's a robbery or the like.

The stupidity of some people never ceases to amaze me. Who the hell doesn't know there are cameras at ATMs?

Stupid and/or desperate.

Another common ploy is for someone to use an ATM to "desposit", say, a $1000 cheque into their account, when in fact the envelope they put in the machine is empty.  I mean - it's their own account!  Of course they're going to get caught.  But people still do it...

I know of a woman who had been working at a bank for 30 years and was surely making over €50k (that's 4 times median salary). She used the card of a customer to draw 500 € from the ATM at her branch ...
Title: Re: 20K on the side of the road
Post by: Pedrito on July 03, 2013, 02:00:42 AM
Quote from: The Brain on June 20, 2013, 08:28:46 AM
If I spot a 100 SEK bill on the ground I don't turn it in. I don't pick it up either.

Heh. Just a couple days ago I found a 10€ bill on the ground.
Not only I picked it up, but it considerably lifted my morale for the day.

Am I: UNCLE SCROOGE?

L.