Opinion: True tales of selfie deposits

0

This week I continue my look back at how I have wrestled with new technology during the past 20 years, and then I’ll provide updates on my recent progress.

I like bank tellers because they help me fill out deposit slips. They even occasionally laugh at my jokes. I never get a giggle out of an ATM. Tellers know exactly how much cash I have in my savings, so they couldn’t be laughing at my lousy puns just because they think I’m wealthy.

Several years ago, I wrote about a new technology that was threatening my relationship with these bank employees. I could make deposits by simply clicking a photo of the checks. The first time I tried it, I held the check at arm’s length and snapped a shot with my smartphone. I showed it to my wife for her approval.

“Is that a good picture of the check?” I asked.

“No, but it’s a great photo of your thumb. Geesh, I sure hope that’s your thumb.”

I tried a few more times, but I kept getting error messages that my photos were fuzzy, the camera wasn’t steady, or the amount wasn’t legible. I never got this kind of flak from Brad, Sarah, or Miranda at the bank, so why was I putting myself through this?

I went to my branch and told the staff that I preferred their outstanding customer service to using some cellphone gadgetry and that I planned to continue banking there in person. Unless, of course, I could find an app that would laugh at my jokes.

Update: I now deposit all my checks by phone, although since I retired, I hardly ever have anything to deposit. I’ve gotten pretty good at this new way of banking. I’m embarrassed that one of my first attempts was a selfie of my hand that proved jowls are not the only thing that make you look older. Gnarled fingers and the orange stuff from Cheetos contribute to a seasoned look.

That app still tells me when the picture I took of the check isn’t clear enough. It tells me if I need a darker background. Have they read my bio? Could I have a darker background? I get a lot of prompts to hold the phone steadier. I’m just depositing a few bucks, not making one of my shaky financial investments.

The transaction I made an hour ago was refused: CHECK AMOUNT DOESN’T MATCH DEPOSIT AMOUNT. My check was for a lousy six dollars.  I wrote 600, which looked right to me. Until I found my glasses.

I used to spend a lot of time messing with my accounts, moving money from checking to savings. That resulted in a few extra dollars in the savings account each month. But in the last several years, I’ve continued to lose interest in the process.


Current Morning Briefing Logo

Stay CURRENT with our daily newsletter (M-F) and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox for free!

Select list(s) to subscribe to



By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Share.

Current Morning Briefing Logo

Stay CURRENT with our daily newsletter (M-F) and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox for free!

Select list(s) to subscribe to



By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact