Editor, The News:

My daughter is receiving unemployment compensation.

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry issued her a debit card and her weekly amount credited to it. She was told that she could use it at any ATM to withdraw cash.

On Aug. 20, my daughter went to a local bank. When she put the card in the ATM, the screen went blank.

My daughter went to one of the bank tellers and explained what happened. The teller informed her that the bank was having trouble with the machine and it kept taking cards.

So why wasn’t a sign put on the machine? My daughter was told to return at 3:30 p.m. when the maintenance worker was there and he would get the card out for her.

My daughter returned around 4 p.m. The bank would not return her card because it was not a bank card. Even though she had a photo ID with her, she was told that it was bank policy that any card eaten by the ATM that wasn’t the bank’s card, it belonged to the bank.

The manager at the bank informed her that it takes a week to 10 days to get a new card, and that my daughter couldn’t access her money during that time.

I called and spoke to a supervisor. I explained the situation and was once again told the same thing.

I asked what would happen if I went to the bank’s ATM to use my credit union’s debit card, and the machine ate my card. Would I not be able to get it back?

She said that was correct. I would have to apply for another card.

Has anyone else experienced this situation? Do all banks have this policy?

Why should customers suffer because machines don’t operate properly?

Andrea Householder

Ellwood City