Latest news with #Mathiesen
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Special Education Teacher Thought She Was Leaving $5 Tip, but It Was Actually $5,000
Linda Mathiesen said she accidentally left a $5,000 tip instead of a $5 tip at a California vape shop about a year ago She then claims she spent months trying to dispute the transaction before her bank refunded her Wells Fargo tells PEOPLE that they "resolved this situation" and "are committed to working with our customers to find solutions when they encounter issues"A California woman said she felt generous after shopping at a vape store and decided to leave a $5 tip — then realized she accidentally left three extra zeros. Special education teacher Linda Mathiesen told ABC affiliate KGO that about a year ago, she went to San Bruno Exotic to purchase a couple of items to help with her shoulder pain, including CBD relief gel. In a giving mood, she decided to leave a $5 tip, but Mathiesen told KGO that she couldn't fully see what she was doing at the tall checkout stand. "I push what I thought was only two zeros. Ended up being three zeros," Mathiesen said. Once she realized those zeros were in front of the decimal point, and not behind it, she tried to rectify her mistake, but the clerk reportedly said he didn't know how and processed the tip instead. Mathiesen alleged to KGO that she began the process of disputing the transaction with Wells Fargo that same day, but after dozens of attempts to try and reach them over several months, the matter hadn't been solved. However, the outlet claimed that after they reached out to the bank, Wells Fargo did respond to Mathiesen, promising to refund the tip plus interest. When reached for comment, a bank spokesperson told PEOPLE that after learning about what happened to her, they "resolved this situation." "We are committed to working with our customers to find solutions when they encounter issues," they added. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. According to KGO, the smoke shop, which now goes by Exotic Vapes, and a clerk they spoke with, who otherwise had no comment, claimed new owners took over in January. When PEOPLE reached for comment on Friday, June 6, the phone number was not in service. Mathiesen did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Special Education Teacher Thought She Was Leaving $5 Tip, but It Was Actually $5,000
Linda Mathiesen said she accidentally left a $5,000 tip instead of a $5 tip at a California vape shop about a year ago She then claims she spent months trying to dispute the transaction before her bank refunded her Wells Fargo tells PEOPLE that they "resolved this situation" and "are committed to working with our customers to find solutions when they encounter issues"A California woman said she felt generous after shopping at a vape store and decided to leave a $5 tip — then realized she accidentally left three extra zeros. Special education teacher Linda Mathiesen told ABC affiliate KGO that about a year ago, she went to San Bruno Exotic to purchase a couple of items to help with her shoulder pain, including CBD relief gel. In a giving mood, she decided to leave a $5 tip, but Mathiesen told KGO that she couldn't fully see what she was doing at the tall checkout stand. "I push what I thought was only two zeros. Ended up being three zeros," Mathiesen said. Once she realized those zeros were in front of the decimal point, and not behind it, she tried to rectify her mistake, but the clerk reportedly said he didn't know how and processed the tip instead. Mathiesen alleged to KGO that she began the process of disputing the transaction with Wells Fargo that same day, but after dozens of attempts to try and reach them over several months, the matter hadn't been solved. However, the outlet claimed that after they reached out to the bank, Wells Fargo did respond to Mathiesen, promising to refund the tip plus interest. When reached for comment, a bank spokesperson told PEOPLE that after learning about what happened to her, they "resolved this situation." "We are committed to working with our customers to find solutions when they encounter issues," they added. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. According to KGO, the smoke shop, which now goes by Exotic Vapes, and a clerk they spoke with, who otherwise had no comment, claimed new owners took over in January. When PEOPLE reached for comment on Friday, June 6, the phone number was not in service. Mathiesen did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
California woman thought she'd left a $5 tip until she saw it was $5,000 — and was told it couldn't be voided
Americans have long grumbled about tipping culture — but now digital checkout screens are turning that frustration into full-blown financial disasters. Sometimes, the issue isn't just pressure to tip — it's how easy it is to make a costly mistake. One in five Americans say they've accidentally tipped more than intended on digital checkout screens, according to an exclusive Opinium poll for on tipping culture. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) That's exactly what happened to Linda Mathiesen. While buying CBD pain relief gel at a store in San Bruno, California, she accidentally tipped $5,000 on a $129.28 purchase. Mathiesen said she meant to leave a $5 tip, but the payment terminal didn't show a decimal point, so when she entered '5000,' the system took it — literally. At first, the clerk at San Bruno Exotic told her the charge couldn't be reversed. Then the story shifted — he claimed the shop never received the money. But Mathiesen's bank statement showed otherwise. 'I'm just livid because I'm like I'm not going to pay $5,000 for something I never intended to happen,' Mathiesen told ABC 7 News. For Mathiesen, a $5,000 tipping mistake wasn't just a moment of panic — it became a financial crisis. As a special education teacher living on a fixed income, she didn't have the cushion to absorb the hit. With no emergency savings to fall back on, the charge was devastating. And she's not alone. According to the U.S. News survey, 42% of Americans have no emergency savings, despite experts recommending three to six months' worth of expenses. Mathiesen contacted Wells Fargo within five minutes of the transaction, but says the bank has done little to help, despite its promise of 'zero liability protection' for promptly reported fraud. The bank's website says its 'built-in protection features ensure that you won't be held responsible for unauthorized transactions, as long as they're reported promptly.' Yet, a year later, Mathiesen is still fighting to get the charge reversed. "I busted out in tears,' she told ABC 7 News. "My son is graduating college next week ... and I can't even buy anything for him because I have $5,000 outstanding ... now it's $5,500!" Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it Digital checkout screens may speed things up, but one wrong tap can turn a routine purchase into a nightmare. It happened to Vera Conner, too. The Georgia woman was ordering her usual No. 4 Italian sandwich at Subway — priced at $7.54 — when she accidentally left a $7,112.98 tip. Conner said she was entering her phone number for loyalty points when the screen suddenly flipped to the tipping prompt. Before she realized what had happened, the charge went through. After hours of calls with Subway and Bank of America, she eventually got the charge reversed — but not without major stress. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, there are steps you can take: Act fast. Contact your bank or card provider as soon as the transaction posts. The faster you report it, the stronger your case. Most banks allow 60 days to dispute a charge, but don't wait that long. Document everything. Screenshot the receipt, the payment screen if you can and keep records of any communication with the merchant. These details help prove the error wasn't intentional. Know the fine print. Many banks offer protection against unauthorized transactions, but not all mistakes qualify. If you technically authorized the payment, even by accident, you may be out of luck unless the merchant agrees to reverse it. Build an emergency fund. It's not just for layoffs or medical bills. Sometimes it's for the unexpected stuff — like tipping $5,000 for a $129 product. Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
California woman thought she'd left a $5 tip until she saw it was $5,000 — and was told it couldn't be voided
Americans have long grumbled about tipping culture — but now digital checkout screens are turning that frustration into full-blown financial disasters. Sometimes, the issue isn't just pressure to tip — it's how easy it is to make a costly mistake. One in five Americans say they've accidentally tipped more than intended on digital checkout screens, according to an exclusive Opinium poll for on tipping culture. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) That's exactly what happened to Linda Mathiesen. While buying CBD pain relief gel at a store in San Bruno, California, she accidentally tipped $5,000 on a $129.28 purchase. Mathiesen said she meant to leave a $5 tip, but the payment terminal didn't show a decimal point, so when she entered '5000,' the system took it — literally. At first, the clerk at San Bruno Exotic told her the charge couldn't be reversed. Then the story shifted — he claimed the shop never received the money. But Mathiesen's bank statement showed otherwise. 'I'm just livid because I'm like I'm not going to pay $5,000 for something I never intended to happen,' Mathiesen told ABC 7 News. For Mathiesen, a $5,000 tipping mistake wasn't just a moment of panic — it became a financial crisis. As a special education teacher living on a fixed income, she didn't have the cushion to absorb the hit. With no emergency savings to fall back on, the charge was devastating. And she's not alone. According to the U.S. News survey, 42% of Americans have no emergency savings, despite experts recommending three to six months' worth of expenses. Mathiesen contacted Wells Fargo within five minutes of the transaction, but says the bank has done little to help, despite its promise of 'zero liability protection' for promptly reported fraud. The bank's website says its 'built-in protection features ensure that you won't be held responsible for unauthorized transactions, as long as they're reported promptly.' Yet, a year later, Mathiesen is still fighting to get the charge reversed. "I busted out in tears,' she told ABC 7 News. "My son is graduating college next week ... and I can't even buy anything for him because I have $5,000 outstanding ... now it's $5,500!" Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it Digital checkout screens may speed things up, but one wrong tap can turn a routine purchase into a nightmare. It happened to Vera Conner, too. The Georgia woman was ordering her usual No. 4 Italian sandwich at Subway — priced at $7.54 — when she accidentally left a $7,112.98 tip. Conner said she was entering her phone number for loyalty points when the screen suddenly flipped to the tipping prompt. Before she realized what had happened, the charge went through. After hours of calls with Subway and Bank of America, she eventually got the charge reversed — but not without major stress. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, there are steps you can take: Act fast. Contact your bank or card provider as soon as the transaction posts. The faster you report it, the stronger your case. Most banks allow 60 days to dispute a charge, but don't wait that long. Document everything. Screenshot the receipt, the payment screen if you can and keep records of any communication with the merchant. These details help prove the error wasn't intentional. Know the fine print. Many banks offer protection against unauthorized transactions, but not all mistakes qualify. If you technically authorized the payment, even by accident, you may be out of luck unless the merchant agrees to reverse it. Build an emergency fund. It's not just for layoffs or medical bills. Sometimes it's for the unexpected stuff — like tipping $5,000 for a $129 product. Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
California woman thought she'd left a $5 tip until she saw it was $5,000 — and was told it couldn't be voided
Americans have long grumbled about tipping culture — but now digital checkout screens are turning that frustration into full-blown financial disasters. Sometimes, the issue isn't just pressure to tip — it's how easy it is to make a costly mistake. One in five Americans say they've accidentally tipped more than intended on digital checkout screens, according to an exclusive Opinium poll for on tipping culture. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) That's exactly what happened to Linda Mathiesen. While buying CBD pain relief gel at a store in San Bruno, California, she accidentally tipped $5,000 on a $129.28 purchase. Mathiesen said she meant to leave a $5 tip, but the payment terminal didn't show a decimal point, so when she entered '5000,' the system took it — literally. At first, the clerk at San Bruno Exotic told her the charge couldn't be reversed. Then the story shifted — he claimed the shop never received the money. But Mathiesen's bank statement showed otherwise. 'I'm just livid because I'm like I'm not going to pay $5,000 for something I never intended to happen,' Mathiesen told ABC 7 News. For Mathiesen, a $5,000 tipping mistake wasn't just a moment of panic — it became a financial crisis. As a special education teacher living on a fixed income, she didn't have the cushion to absorb the hit. With no emergency savings to fall back on, the charge was devastating. And she's not alone. According to the U.S. News survey, 42% of Americans have no emergency savings, despite experts recommending three to six months' worth of expenses. Mathiesen contacted Wells Fargo within five minutes of the transaction, but says the bank has done little to help, despite its promise of 'zero liability protection' for promptly reported fraud. The bank's website says its 'built-in protection features ensure that you won't be held responsible for unauthorized transactions, as long as they're reported promptly.' Yet, a year later, Mathiesen is still fighting to get the charge reversed. "I busted out in tears,' she told ABC 7 News. "My son is graduating college next week ... and I can't even buy anything for him because I have $5,000 outstanding ... now it's $5,500!" Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it Digital checkout screens may speed things up, but one wrong tap can turn a routine purchase into a nightmare. It happened to Vera Conner, too. The Georgia woman was ordering her usual No. 4 Italian sandwich at Subway — priced at $7.54 — when she accidentally left a $7,112.98 tip. Conner said she was entering her phone number for loyalty points when the screen suddenly flipped to the tipping prompt. Before she realized what had happened, the charge went through. After hours of calls with Subway and Bank of America, she eventually got the charge reversed — but not without major stress. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, there are steps you can take: Act fast. Contact your bank or card provider as soon as the transaction posts. The faster you report it, the stronger your case. Most banks allow 60 days to dispute a charge, but don't wait that long. Document everything. Screenshot the receipt, the payment screen if you can and keep records of any communication with the merchant. These details help prove the error wasn't intentional. Know the fine print. Many banks offer protection against unauthorized transactions, but not all mistakes qualify. If you technically authorized the payment, even by accident, you may be out of luck unless the merchant agrees to reverse it. Build an emergency fund. It's not just for layoffs or medical bills. Sometimes it's for the unexpected stuff — like tipping $5,000 for a $129 product. Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Sign in to access your portfolio
