well, Anahata, if it happened, it happened, but it takes more than one mistake by a lazy bank employee, it would take at least three mistakes, and then it takes a further mistake by the staff at the Post Office.

if we conservatively assess the probability of each of these mistakes at say .01 % (in actual fact more like .0001% but let's be conservative, ) then the multiplicative odds of such an unfortunate occurrence happening is (.01)^4 , or in bookies terms, 10,000,000 to 1, and remember these are conservative odds, the true probability is much much less.

I don't think I would be losing any sleep over such an eventuality coming to pass, and if it did happen, I would be secure in the knowledge that I would be handsomely recompensed by the bank for what amounts to criminal negligence on their part.

I assume your friend was in fact handsomely recompensed ?