Money appears as if from nowhere!

chris1210 · 29-08-2006, 4:10 PM

Logged onto my internet banking tonight to find that some kind soul/souls have paid in the nice sum of £2030

Immediately phoned the bank who comfirmed it went in over the weekend... but because it only cleared today, they do not yet have a name from the transaction, only that it was paid in via my debit card!

After a bit of thought, i have an inkling that it is money from the returned travellers cheques i sent back, it was due to get paid in in the next day or two, but theres a big difference between £170 and £2k!

Now im a genuinely honest person, but if it was them and they dont realise...... how tempting!

DJT75 · 29-08-2006, 4:15 PM

Leave it in your account for a year, don't touch it & sit back.

GeoffWork · 29-08-2006, 4:18 PM

Keep a close eye on it to watch they don't suck more back, may be fraudsters trying your account is working, or they will contact you direct, say it was a mistake and can you refund it, then cancel the original transfer.

DVD-Man · 29-08-2006, 5:01 PM

Like you say tempting to the extreme, we could all do with some cash but I am sure there is a reason for it and you wouldn't want to be paying it back.

Tough one really, I wouldn't know what to do.

Liam

Pat_C · 29-08-2006, 5:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris1210

After a bit of thought, i have an inkling that it is money from the returned travellers cheques i sent back, it was due to get paid in in the next day or two, but theres a big difference between £170 and £2k!

I would guess that they converted the wrong currency back to sterling and got too much of it.

Mep · 29-08-2006, 6:29 PM

stick on high interest deposit until they ask for it back

drskhaled · 29-08-2006, 7:47 PM

I got overpayed from an ex employee for two months once (~4k). I called to let them know twice and they said they'd get it sorted when doing the accounts in a few months. Well I waited a year for them to claim the money but now three years on its stuffed into an ISA earning a bit of interest. So long as you've let the bank know then just wait a year or so if its not claimed i reckon its yours. Its a bit like if you find money and give it to the police you get it back if its not claimed after a certain period (unless the laws changed and Gordon Browns got his mitts on lost money)

Astraeus · 29-08-2006, 11:56 PM

I got three weekly payments of £31.50 over the course of the past month. It was appreciated but did arouse my suspicions and now NatWest are looking into who made the payments.

Woodywizz · 30-08-2006, 6:08 AM

If it is the bank itself which has paid the funds in, then - their internal reconciliation system - should pick up the error. However, note the word "Should" - this may not happen.

If you are worried then - as a Bank Manager - you can deposit the funds in my account and I will purchase a Sony X series which can be used as collateral for any future claim. Obviously the goods will have to remain in my living room until the Bank claims the funds back.

Duncan G · 30-08-2006, 8:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJT75

Leave it in your account for a year, don't touch it & sit back.

Transfer it to a high interest account and then sit back and watch for a year.

chris1210 · 30-08-2006, 10:20 PM

Confirmed via my Online Banking that it was what i thought, the 'refund' from my Travellers cheques, with an additional £1860 on top. Goodness knows how they've done it, i even have a reciept here that they sent me on Saturday stating £168!

Still no further forward tho... totally in two minds what to do.

**Steven** · 30-08-2006, 10:27 PM

Man some people get all the luck! Student here

Put it in a seperate account and don't touch it. Do you really want to be paying that back? Tempting, I know but the 'but' is an expensive one

chris1210 · 30-08-2006, 10:37 PM

Gonna give it a week, see if it stays in the account, then open a savings account and leave it for a year or whatever.

Anyone recommend a good savings account with high interest for £1800? (and dont say your own back account or back pocket! :D)

loz · 30-08-2006, 10:40 PM

many years ago a friend of mine found £85,000 mistakenly credited to his account. Back then it was a lot of money.
He repeatedly told the bank about it, but nothing seemingly happened. The money remained there.
After a few months temptation got the better of him and he withdrew the lot - and went to live in Spain.
A couple of years later he came back, then got a job in Holland.
One day there was a knock on the door and Interpol arrested him.
He was on remand for 6 months, and when he finally got to court he was able to show proof he had written to the bank several times, and the judge showed leniency and partly blamed the bank for their poor management. After all, not only had he told them it wasnt his, when he finally asked to withdraw it they just handed over the cash

So, he walked from the court without spending any more time in jail, but was bankrupted paying back as much as he could.

jenic · 31-08-2006, 7:41 AM

Since you know the source its only fair to give them a ring and tell them, you never know, they might reward you for your honesty.

dragonfly · 31-08-2006, 8:49 AM

I dont want to sound boring, but this is an arrestable offence under section 24A the Theft Act 1968 refered to as (RETAINING A WRONGFUL CREDIT)
Definition;- A person is guilty of an offence if:
A wrongful credit has been paid into an account kept by him,
he knows(or believes) the credit is wrongful, and
he dishonestly fails to take steps to ensure the credit is cancelled.
unfortunately laws does not allow ignorance even though you did not ask for the money to be paid into your account you are oblidged to give it back.
I am sure you dont need the hassle that may follow.
Regards

Drd · 31-08-2006, 9:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loz

many years ago a friend of mine found £85,000 mistakenly credited to his account. Back then it was a lot of money.
.

I'm obviously living in a different world 'cause to me that's a great deal of money even now

Oh,and give it back,it's the honest thing to do.Simple really.

Duncan G · 31-08-2006, 9:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ipod crazy

Since you know the source its only fair to give them a ring and tell them, you never know, they might reward you for your honesty.

Reiner · 01-09-2006, 3:53 AM

Withdraw all the money, close the account and run ...

Just kidding, inform the bank and wait, then you have IMO done the right thing. If nothing happens after a year or so spend it wisely (on a new Plasma TV or so ...)

01-09-2006, 10:26 PM

Hi Chris,

Could it be a kind friend or relative, who has acquired money (legacy, football pools, lottery, etc. or gambling) and wants to give you some without disclosing their identity?

Even someone you work with or have met online, or a rich woman, who fancies you

A pity if he or she doesn't at least clear this matter with the Bank for you. They might end up claiming it as their's

01-09-2006, 10:26 PM	#20
Cynthia 7 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Money appears as if from nowhere! Hi Chris, Could it be a kind friend or relative, who has acquired money (legacy, football pools, lottery, etc. or gambling) and wants to give you some without disclosing their identity? Even someone you work with or have met online, or a rich woman, who fancies you A pity if he or she doesn't at least clear this matter with the Bank for you. They might end up claiming it as their's
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