Dear Harry: Last week, I went to my bank to make a withdrawal from the $574 balance my bankbook showed for my savings.

The teller told me that the computer would not allow me to draw the $250 I wanted because it showed a withdrawal of $350 on Sept. 13, 2008.

I made the transaction and it was apparently recorded "off-line" because it was done on a Saturday.

The bank book was never brought up to date for that withdrawal. The teller asked if she could destroy my bank book and give me a new one, but I said no. I reduced the amount I wanted to withdraw to $200, and she gave it to me. This left a new balance of $24. I spoke with the manager who told me the same story and apologized. I had been to that bank about 20 times since last September, and not once did a teller tell me that my book balance was not correct.

This was clearly the bank's fault, but I'm the one who has to wait a couple of weeks for my next pension check with very little cash. Shouldn't the bank have to pay for its mistake in not keeping my book updated with the correct balance? I once got two money orders for $100 each when I only bought one. I returned it to the bank because I thought it would come out of the teller's pay. I should have kept it.

What Harry says: Just what do you want the bank to do? You also have a responsibility to keep your bank book current. You knew of the transaction that was not recorded, and you could easily have asked for an update at your first visit after that $350 withdrawal.

You admit that your balance is now correct. The fact that you are tight for cash may create a problem for you, but it's not the bank's fault. Sorry.

Write Harry Gross c/o the Daily News, 400 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19130. Harry urges all his readers to give blood - contact the American Red Cross at 800-GIVE LIFE.