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?

Scam. Google it, it's been done many times before. Have you actually checked your balance?

Please update when you know more.

OF course it’s a SCAM!

Change your passwords ASAP, preferably on a device not linked to your home WiFi in case it’s joined to your landline/ mobile phone account, as so many are these days. Library? Friend? Neighbour’s PC? Preferably go into a branch ASAP as possible and they should be able to help you block your account and change passwords there.

Wow this is scary.

I’m glad you’re going into the branch. Make sure you flag that you disclosed banking details (if you did) and get them changed

This is pretty scary OP. Let us know how you get on.

Did they send you a link to anything? Have you disclosed passwords and or sensitive information to "Sophie"?, have you actually checked this account??????

Stupid question but have you checked your bank balance? Is the money actually in your account?

I wouldn’t be sending or replying to anything. I’d go into a branch when I could get there and speak to someone face to face. It has scam written all over it.

Go into the branch and get a mini statement.

Then speak to someone about account security.

I've seen a payor and bank make a genuine mistake and it does not ask for an email.

It usually freezes the account until the mistake can be corrected.

PLEASE go into a branch immediately. Do NOT send any email or divulge any account details, passwords or personal information unless you are In. A. Branch.

Id phone Natwest Fraud dept and ask them - from a different phone.

They would never ask for an email. If they required something in writing, it would be a document that you would need to sign in person at a branch. Please don't click on anything.

This happened to me, a much smaller sum tho. I had to go into my bank with a signed note to give them permission. A pain in the ass to be truthful, but they certainly did NOT ask me to send an email.

Sounds like it could be a scam to me.

If it’s genuine I absolutely assure you you don’t need to “do” a thing they take the money back bloody quickly. Without permission

What security details did you give this Sophie when you rang her back?
Please go into a branch immediately.

It happened to me, except there was a pigeon in my bank account. I had to give them my details so they could open the account, remove the pigeon, spray the inside of my account, decontaminate the money, then close the account again. Took about twenty minutes.

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 know you've now said you'll visit a branch, but please read the post at 13.43 for the advice from Which? The point isn't who you thought you called and asked for, but that the scammer's call TO YOU was probably never disconnected, even though you thought it was

If these scams weren't so sophisticated hardly anyone would fall for them - but they are so they do. Just make sure you're not the next one

It's not the email that they're able to do anything with.

It's the fact that when you rang them back, you gave a scammer key banking security information to "verify your identity." You know how you can never ring a bank, utilities company or anybody without them asking you to confirm who you are with passwords and bits of information like your balance, a regular DD, etc? It is that which they were stealing from you. It is the information that they need, to be able to hack your account, clone cards, make payments from your account to theirs, blackmail you, etc.

As others have said and I hope you have taken in by now, you didn't manage to get hold of sophie at your bank again and confirm it was legit by googling their number and ringing that. All you did was hang up then pick up again on the same phone line. I know it's hard to get your head around but please believe us, it is a known method of scamming people.

You will probably need to change security information or even close this account. Don't do that over the phone or email but in branch where you can guarantee they actual work for Natwest

Bloody hell. I'm not very technical but I even I think this has a big chance of being a scam.

@Al2O3

What does this actually mean?

I suspect that what will happen now is that you will get an email asking you to click onto the link, enter your bank details and password, and confirm the transaction to transfer the money out again.

Don't fall for that, whatever you do.

Go into the branch and speak to a person.

Honestly I'd go to a branch. Just to be sure. It does sound odd when there are so many things that banks refuse to do over email

• @Al2O3*

What does this actually mean?

I think that was a very tongue in cheek post.

It happened to me, except there was a pigeon in my bank account. I had to give them my details so they could open the account, remove the pigeon, spray the inside of my account, decontaminate the money, then close the account again. Took about twenty minutes

Love that programme