One of which would be to read their bank statements so that they would be able to contest any strange checks.
I don't know why people trust their money to others and then don't exercise the slightest bit of oversight. I think Sammy Davis went out the same way - trusting his accountant, who wasn't paying the IRS.
I have friends who don't read their bank statements or credit reports. This is just asking for trouble in these days of identity theft, if you ask me.
My mortgage is with WaMu and I have the monthly payments withdrawn automatically. I can tell you they DO NOT send out monthly statements as a matter of routine if this is the case. In 2003 they twice adjusted my monthly mortgage amount WITHOUT any notice to me. The only way I knew of the change was when my bank statements arrived at my house.
Also, due to their changes, at the end of the year my escrow was a couple hundred in the hole and so they decided to raise my monthly payments by $50 per month, which will put $600 more in the escrow. Minus the $200 deficit recovery which they caused and the presumed $200 to cover this year, that leaves $200 surplus going into next year. All money they, not me are holding and collecting interest on.
I really don't like Washington Mutual and if I weren't so lazy about it, I'd refinance with a different lender. But there are so many other battles taking up my time right now.