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?

Can you still get branch telephone numbers? I thought everything was centralised now.

I'm just amazed you can actually phone your branch!

Some branches you can phone direct according to the natwest website but it isn't all of them.

What is the reference on your statement for the transfer? Curious to know the provenance of this $400k

OK.

You get a phone call. You enmd the phone call and go off and do your checks.

You ring the number on the website BUT the original caller did not hang up, they kept your line open and have now intercepted your return call

They confirm they are legitimate and you send them an email... they then have the correct email address for that account.

Or

They can take the money back prior to clearance and then given the money back by the bank on your clear orders....

Or other things that normal people won't even begin to imagine. But the phone trick is a very very old one and does still happen!

Definitely go to a branch.

But first can you check your account via online banking?

OK thanks will go into a branch. But still curious about what scammers can do with an email saying "I grant permission to take the $400,000 out of my account"?

It's mot what the email says, it's the action of clicking on the link. Once you have done that- they will access to your account and/or passwords.

How did you get the phone number for the branch op, rather than the generic customer service phone number?

I've tried Nat West + a few towns (with a branch) and all I get is the general customer service number.

OP - THEY HAVE WAYS OF KEEPING THE LINE OPEN. So when you thought you were calling the branch you were actually still on the phone to the same scammers.

THIS IS A SCAM.

OP you could try phoning the Natwest Fraud team and talking it through with them. They tend to be a bit more specialist over these things than the branch staff. It may be easier than getting to a branch - but make sure you've got a dialling tone first - or use another phone

personal.natwest.com/personal/support-centre/contact-us.html

OK.

You get a phone call. You enmd the phone call and go off and do your checks.

You ring the number on the website BUT the original caller did not hang up, they kept your line open and have now intercepted your return call

This! Definitely this.

I don't know what the scammers do on receipt of your email but this is how they trick you into thinking you've phoned a legitimate number.

It's a scam. I had the same thing but different bank and higher amount.

I told her to fuck off. Checked my bank balance and of course it wasn't there.

Sorry meant to post their phone number

NatWest Business accounts (Monday to Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-6pm, Sunday 9am-5pm)

UK: 0345 300 3986

(if you just ask for listsandbudgets and hand over your bank details I'll do the rest )

Call again from your mobile/another number.
Please.

Just to be sure

one of my DM's close wealthy family friends was in the position of transferring money to a 'bank' when his DW pulled the plug on the phone!

definitely a scam

Even though you're sure it's not a scam, you do need to go in and speak to someone face to face. It's not worth the risk.

This is a well known scam.

There is no 400k, that's the hook to keep you interested. They called you, stayed on the line then you called natwest. The scammers were still on the line when you disclosed your security details (usually telephone banking password). They then put you through to 'Sophie' so you think it's all legit while they call Natwest and empty your bank account. You are so busy worrying about the 400k and whether that's a potential fraud that you forget about the funds that are actually in the account.

Call your bank from a different phone this second and block internet telephone banking Immediately. Then you need to speak to your banks fraud dept and see if any transactions have been made. I'm so sorry you've been targeted and I've seen so many people lose money this way.

You are right to go to the branch, OP.

It could be genuine - an error by the person making the transfer, who put your account instead of the intended account number (reversed digits etc). When this happens, the bank does need consent from the recipient before they can simply reverse it, because the money has been legitimately transferred to you.

If it is a scam, the email you send would just be opening communications - they would then need something else, etc (like the Nigerian Prince ones).

Sounds dodgy but let's see what the OP says when she returns from the bank.

I suspect this would just be the start of the scam.

This can't be real

I think firstly you should check your balance to see if there is any money there. Secondly i would do nothing before getting into a branch and talking it through. If it is genuine then they should be able to walk you through what happens. I would also ask for the reverse transaction to be done in my presence then a letter given to me stating what they did and signed by the manager.

A bank would not take or ask for permission given by email to remove $400k. Honestly.

Don’t email anyone. Don’t phone anyone. Acces your online banking from a laptop and transfer any funds to another account. Then go straight to the branch and ask to speak to the branch manager to get this rectified. It will also need to be passed on to the fraud department.

They called you, stayed on the line then you called natwest. The scammers were still on the line when you disclosed your security details (usually telephone banking password). They then put you through to 'Sophie' so you think it's all legit while they call Natwest and empty your bank account.

This is far more likely than Nat West moving 400k out of your account on the say-so of an email.

It makes me more suspicious that you spoke to the same person?!

Do you realise how many people a huge bank would have in their call centres. Definitely a scam!