The author was inspired to write ‘Poor Poppy and the Chocolate Man’ to help bring to the attention of all parents the realization that their children can become victims of a pedophile. At the same time she wishes to give the reader an insight into behind the scenes of the unknowing families, the law enforcement’s detectives’ efforts to help stamp out these ever increasing everyday heinous acts of behavior and the recognition for the introduction of harsher sentences.

The author also wishes to state that whilst the Australian Government has apologised to the stolen generation it is her heartfelt wish that through the pages of ‘Poor Poppy and the Chocolate Man’ a sincere apology will reach all of the children who have become victims of a pedophile.

You can Bank on that

An Article

by

Rose C Taylor

Sometime back in the late 1990’s the government of the day sought submissions from small business with regard to the banking habits of our major banking institutions.  I know because I acted on behalf of a small business.

Unfortunately it was put on hold because of a forthcoming election.  It is a pity that the intended investigation into the services and fees of our banking system back then did not go ahead.

It’s Your Money:

Not anymore.  How many times have you been disadvantaged because of the “Daily Limit” ploy?  With my bank if I try to spend over $1000.00 per day either by way of Efptos or an ATM machine I simply am told I have exceeded my daily limit.  Fine if I only want to go out for some fun on the same day I have purchased two large items for my home, however, in an emergency I have no choice but to wait until the next day.

Recently I wanted to transfer via my internet access more than $1000.00 to the “Pay Anyone Link” – unfortunately once again there was a limit of $1000.00 and because I was trying to buy $US700.00 dollars the delay in transferring to my Debit Master Card, which I have with another bank, ended up costing me an extra $AU30.00.  The Aussie dollar at that time was up and down like a yo-yo.  

The next control of your money comes from when you are expected to use a non bank ATM machine at a venue when you choose to take the family for a night out.  Because here in the ‘Nanny State’ the government has restricted all and/or any withdrawals to a $200.00 limit (supposedly to curb the spending of compulsive gamblers!!) once again we are slugged with fees that should not be legal. God forbid we might need more than $200.00.

The initial introduction of ATM’s and in time access to the internet was to cut down on the banks’ needing extra staff to cater for our monetary needs.  My bank like all others lacks the necessary tellers to meet its daily service to its customers yet feels no shame in charging us for using their electronic money making technological devices.

How to take your money without asking:

Have you ever applied for an overdraft and/or an increase on a current one?  Try getting a $50.00 overdraft when you are either unemployed or a low income earner.  Forget it.  But beware the bank can refuse you this pittance but at the same time allow you to go into debt and then charge up to $50.00 for the privilege.  They do not advise you that you do not have the necessary funds to cover an outstanding cheque or monthly PP; instead they take it upon themselves to honor your transaction and then charge like wounded bulls for the privilege.

Keeping your money safe:

Keeping it under the mattress we are told is a no no.  I say keeping a bank account is fast becoming a no no.  Keeping us safe while we use their outdoor ATM machines is also a no no.  I don’t expect that in the distant future the latter will be rectified nor do I expect that the Banking Ombudsman will take heed of any of my points made in this article.  “You can Bank on That!!”

Rose C Taylor

March 1st, 2009

alien2324au@yahoo.com.au

Copyright © 1999  [Rose C Taylor]. All rights reserved Revised: April 12, 2010