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?

Not a chance in a million years you would get the same person on the phone twice at NatWest call center. Go into a branch. It sounds like a scam. And check their email address, it's bound to be something really bizarre.

You need to go into a branch asap and discuss directly with staff.

This has all the hallmarks of a stay on the line scam

If NATWEST are genuinely behaving in this way they need to tighten up on their procedures....and compensate you for any travel costs, loss of time and stress incurred as a result of their errors.

Definitely sounds like a scam!

Definitely go in. DO NOT EMAIL. This is very likely to be a scam even though you have phoned them.

Not a chance in a million years you would get the same person on the phone twice at NatWest call center. Go into a branch.

This.

Sounds like a scam to me, too

I really hope OP has read this before doing anything..

Definitely sounds like a scam.

I had a text message from NatWest last week to say they were trying to get in touch with me regarding my bank account. Which would be fine, except I don't have a NatWest account, nor have I ever.

I would definitely be going into the branch to discuss this.

To clarify - It was the branch that I phoned. They phoned me and then about 15 mins later after discussing with my husband I went online and got the number for my branch and phoned them back.

It is my business account and they actually paid it into my euro account (in dollars) and it converted to Euros.

I'm certain it isn't a scam. I phoned the branch using the number on the website and asked to speak to Sophie and they put me through to her.

Think about it, the number on the website will be a generic customer services number. Now if this were genuine, the person contacting you would not be based on the generic inbound customer services line, they'd work in a specialist team. There's no way you would randomly reach them on the generic number through chance.

OP where are you? You didn't send that email did you?

If the bank had made a mistake, they'd just take it back again.

As others say, total scam.

I would still go in, in person. Just to be sure.

Be careful, they can put something on your phone so the next call you make will go straight to them, so it looks like you're calling the branch but it's just connecting to the scammers again

they'd work in a specialist team

Not necessarily. I worked at RBS (same process as Natwest) and branch staff would contact customers if an error was made during a deposit or withdrawal.

I don’t think requesting email approval from the customer is normal, though in my experience of working there they sometimes made up the rules as they went.

I’d still go to the branch and sort this out OP, at the very least to make sure they don’t make another error when reversing the transaction.

Even of you are sure it's not a scam, I'd still go into the branch in my person. How very odd.

Wait until they formally write to you then take letter into a branch and ask them to check.

Maybe it’s genuine
In the off chance it’s not go into the branch to sort it out

No No No!!! It's a scam, when you hang up they keep the line open and then it sounds like you've called the bank but you haven't, you're speaking to the same person again.

I'm certain it isn't a scam. I phoned the branch using the number on the website and asked to speak to Sophie and they put me through to her.

I would phone and get someone other than Sophie to look into this for you just incase.

The email required isn't unusual. If the payer used faster payments and got the account details wrong, the bank has to contact the receiver and get written permission to recover the money. If you don't agree, the payer has to take legal action to recover. The bank cannot just recover it out of your account in those circumstances.

But I'd want to be very certain this was legit before you email anyone anything; or you might well find your account is embroiled in money laundering or something.

Never reply or send anything be email to a bank.
Scammy McScamface

Go to a branch! Definitely go to a branch.
Have you actually checked your balance to see if the funds are in there?

What would scammers be able to do with an email saying "I grant permission to take the $400,000 out of my account"?

Definitely sounds like a scam to me. Banks do not communicate by email for things like this. I'd go into the branch in person if I were you.

OP unless you actually go into the branch and speak to someone face to face and see the money in your account, you don't know if it is a scam. They can hack your phone pretty easily. Do nothing until you actually go into your branch.