BCS provided a Japanese restaurant with more than it expected when it became one of our merchants some years ago. When we verified its American Express Service Establishment Number, it came back to a restaurant with a similar name.

After further investigation, it was determined that just over $77,000 over a five-month period had gone into the wrong American Express Service Establishment Number and checking account. The restaurant owners, who didn’t speak English very well, had wondered why they were struggling to pay their bills, but hadn’t questioned why the American Express money wasn’t being deposited into their account.

After completing a lengthy accounting investigation and presenting it to American Express, we were able to show the $77,000 rightfully belonged to our merchant. American Express deposited the money into their account.

The owners were so elated, they offered to send four of us on an all-expense paid trip to Japan. We kindly declined, telling them it was a privilege to serve them. A month later, the owner called again and said, “You don’t seem to understand, we want to do something for you! Please accept our gratitude!” My family and I went on a wonderful seven-day Caribbean cruise!

Does your credit card processor check in with you to ensure nothing’s going awry with your deposits?