Bank accidentally gave me $400,000

[Onatreebyariver]

I just had a phone call from NatWest. They've accidentally credited my account with US $400,000 (an international payment)

I first thought it was some sort of scam but I have put the phone down and called NatWest back using the phone number on their website and spoke to the same woman -so it's definitely real. She said they'd like me to reply to their email giving them written confirmation that they can take the $400,000 back.

So... of course I will send the email and give them permission but just out of interest... what would happen if I said "this all sounds like a scam" and didn't reply to their email and used the money to pay off my mortgage :D

I know, I know, I have to give it back... but why are they even asking me, why don't they just take it?

Definitely don't email. Despite the phonecall you made. Go into a branch.

It would be theft if you used the money knowing it wasn't yours. There have been previous cases.

Not sure why they have to ask you.

Use another phone to call Natwest first, check this isn’t a scam. They’re getting very advanced and can stay on the phone making you think you’ve got through

They don’t have permission to take money from your account. It’s your money right now. You can of course be sued to recover it, and you would then be potentially liable for legal costs etc. But that’s why they’re asking for your permission.

Don’t rely on having rung them back. Scammers can stay on the line to keep it open. Ring NatWest again on a different phone, or ring your mum on the same line to make sure it’s clear before you ring.

Please be careful, you may not have spoken to the bank. Advice from Which:

Another variation of a phone scam involves the fraudster persuading people to transfer money to other accounts or to hand over cash directly to a courier.

The fraudsters are known to encourage people to hang up and call their bank to verify the legitimacy of the call.

However, a phone line can stay open for up to two minutes so the fraudsters remain on the line and play a dialling tone to trick the individual into thinking they’re calling their bank.

In fact, the fraudsters are still connected and the individual is not speaking to their bank but is still connected to the scammers.

To ensure you don’t fall prey to this type of phone scam, remember that in no circumstances would your bank or the police ask you to take such actions.

These types of requests will only come from a fraudster. Our guide helps you if you think you may have given a fraudster your bank details.

Go to a branch. Don't engage with email or phone calls just in case. Have you actually seen the amount in your bank account? If not then don't do anything until it actually appears in your account.

That said- I would still go into a branch to deal with it. I wouldn’t be doing it online or over the phone.

I'd go in person to a branch.

That sounds wrong! If you called a general number from the website, the chances of speaking to the same woman would be minuscule!

Did you listen to the dial tone or use a different phone?

Did you use the same phone line? Use another line to ring NatWest (not on the number they gave you) or better still go into a branch. Do not give authorisation over email until you know this is not a scam.

SCAM SCAM SCAM

Please do not do anything other than go into your branch and check your balance

Sounds unlikely to me that you would get through to exactly the same person.

Woaaaaah

Just check the money is there!

Did you go through the usual security checks on returning the call?
Seems a bit odd you got the same person on returning the call?

That should be do not give authorisation over email full stop. That bits very odd!

I agree with Elizabeth2019, there is a good chance that they just stayed on the line while you dialled out again. I mean, how easy is it ever to get through to the right person when you speak to your bank? IME you always have to get transferred to the wrong department at least once, then they lose you while you're on hold and then the person you want isn't at their desk.

I would be concerned you got through to the same woman while ringing the number from the website. Also if they haven’t mentioned anything about secure email I’d be wary.

Check your balance first. There are several checks international payments go through, especially one of that size, so it also rings alarm bells that they’re saying this has happened.

Not to worry you too much, but please do contact the bank again before taking action.

Oh dear. Did they have your account details/ did you give them?

This is almost certainly a scan.

They cant have given you dollars unless your account is a dollars one. If you make an international transfer it is converted into the currency it is needed in at the point of origin and then transfered in the correct currency. SInce I assume your account is in pounds sterling this sounds like a scam.

Bizarre that you would get the same woman by dialling the number on their website. I mean what are the chances?

It’s probably nothing but I’d go to a branxh.

It's a scam. Avoid.

Go into a branch OP!! You got through to the same woman when you rang back? Wtf? They have hundreds or more people in their call centres. Banks would never ask you to do this.

This stinks like ten day old kippers, please check first with action fraud and branch (local number)

Cross-posted with lots of others with thw same thought!

Do nothing. Go to a branch.