I had a $500 a year service contract with a company that will remain anonymous. I contacted them to terminate the contract. I was willing to keep the contract for the current year if they would just stop renewing it. A simple matter, right?

I went through a lengthy process of copying passwords and contract numbers. I gave them control of my computer and they ran some program requesting a refund. Here is the weirdest part – I was prompted for the amount of the refund. Why they couldn’t just send me the refund, I don’t know. There was a problem, either due to the program or my computer that caused the entry of $50,000 instead of $500. When I checked online, there was in fact a $50000 deposit to my checking account.

It was now necessary for me to go to my bank and wire the difference, $50000 – $500 = $49500, to some world bank outlet in Hong Kong. For my troubles they have promised a $100 gift certificate. Do you find this as strange as I do?