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Original poster

Someone’s transferred me money

97 replies

HironsBirons · 16/07/2020 18:12

Quite a lot of money. My bank statement just says my name in the notes section . The bank can’t help, they just keep asking if I was expecting this. I literally cannot think of any reason why anyone would be sending me £800 - I’m not expecting a refund for anything that I can think of.

Any ideas?? Is this some sort of scam?!

OP posts:

HooNoes · 16/07/2020 20:18

My bank balance a year ago used to be quite confusing as it showed the balance (not including pending outgoing transactions) and it also included my overdraft in my bank balance - i.e. money available for withdrawal.
Now legislation has changed (or my bank has changed at least) and it shows the balance NOT including the amount I have available on overdraft and also INCLUDING pending transactions.

lifesalongsong · 16/07/2020 20:24

@HooNoes

There is no lag between money appearing in your account and when it's in your account. Maybe 50 years ago with cheques and the like. When you click on the transaction on your online statement, does it bring up nothing?

That's what I thought which is why I think I don't understand the possibility of a scam, how would a scammer make it appear to have come in the acount holder's name?

I think it will turn out to have an innocent explanation

HooNoes · 16/07/2020 20:29

I think there was a paypal scam along that lines, but it wouldn't work with bank accounts as when the money is gone, it's gone. You could certainly open a dispute with the bank along the lines that you'd erroneously sent it to the incorrect person, and get the person to send the money back I guess and then the bank might also reverse the transaction (only with your permission) but it's a long fucking shot.

HooNoes · 16/07/2020 20:30

Don't click on any email that you really don't trust, open your postal mail and don't do anything without first consulting your bank on their secure number, not on a number in an email or similar.

Original poster

HironsBirons · 16/07/2020 20:33

The bank are being useless and keep saying they don’t know where it’s from and it looks legit as it has my name on it.

I don’t have an overdraft so it’s not that.

I’ll keep an eye on the post over the next few days and will be watching my account like a hawk! It’s so very very strange

OP posts:

HooNoes · 16/07/2020 20:34

My Dad sent me £100 in the post out of the blue about 4 months ago. No reason whatsoever. He just did lol. Never in my 40+ years has my Dad sent me money outside of my birthday or Christmas (for which he can be counted on). I was dumbfounded. He had no explanation either only 'buy something nice for yourself'. Lol.

Patsypie · 16/07/2020 20:35

Watch out for scams and never transfer any money

HooNoes · 16/07/2020 20:40

Even if the bank rings you, tell them you'll call them back. Then get their name, dept. tel number and then ring your bank back on the number they have on their website.
Maybe someone just got generous!

HooNoes · 16/07/2020 20:42

Is it the exact sum of £800 or is it something like 801.13?

VenetoResident · 16/07/2020 20:42

I transferred £800 to a friend by accident. I meant to pay my CC and gave the wrong 'last 3 digits' on phone banking. I'd transferred money to her before for tickets. Luckily she gave it back!

Bargebill19 · 16/07/2020 20:44

I second the idea it’s from an old isa or pension that you’ve forgotten. Other option is someone has bought you a premium
Bond at some point in your life and it’s paid out. (Ours payback into our premium bond account - but larger sums pay direct).
Do you insurance which have repaid due to covid?

HooNoes · 16/07/2020 20:46

I meant to pay my CC and gave the wrong 'last 3 digits' on phone banking.

I'm sorry, I don't understand. You gave the wrong last three digits of what? A credit card? Your pin? How did you end up randomly paying a friend instead of your credit card?

Michaelbaubles · 16/07/2020 20:53

I paid my childcare provider from a different account than usual once and the next day she said “did you transfer me money yesterday?” - turns out the “from” reference had been her own name, rather than mine. Very strange as I went back and checked and I’d definitely filled everything in correctly.

Original poster

HironsBirons · 17/07/2020 09:40

Have called the bank and they’ve said because it’s got my name on it it’s definitely meant for me, but as it’s a BACs transfer they can’t see who it’s from she’s said it’s safe to keep, but what the hell?! I can’t spend it until I know where it’s come from or what it’s for!

OP posts:

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 17/07/2020 10:10

Ask the bank to put that in writing then spend away!

lifesalongsong · 17/07/2020 10:16

Do you have a job? A BACS transfer might be a payment from an employer for some reason. An individual wouldn't use BACS would they, unless it's an industrial scale scamming operation

Zaphodsotherhead · 17/07/2020 10:16

Can you email the bank (so there's a paper trail)? And get in writing any confirmation that it's definitely your money to spend?

I had to pay someone yesterday (it was a friend, but I wasn't set up to pay them ever before). Set up new payment and it asked for 'name'. I just put 'Anne' (not real name) and it refused the payment until I put her full name in the box.

But it could still be a scam. Get EVERYTHING between you and the bank in writing and don't do anything with the money over the phone, only in person, in branch.

Ticklemelmo · 17/07/2020 10:18

The bank can definitely trace it, and make contact with the other bank to investigate.

lifesalongsong · 17/07/2020 10:19

@Zaphodsotherhead

Can you email the bank (so there's a paper trail)? And get in writing any confirmation that it's definitely your money to spend?

But it could still be a scam. Get EVERYTHING between you and the bank in writing and don't do anything with the money over the phone, only in person, in branch.

You've had the same experience as me then, I queried yesterday about being able to not notice you're paying the wrong person now, it does seem like you'd have to know you were wrong now although I suppose someone might still go ahead and knowingly accept the wrong payee.

Ticklemelmo · 17/07/2020 10:21

Just seen them saying you can keep it, that's not right, it might be a mistake. Can you ask for the details of the sender? The other bank may come asking for it at some point and you'd have to pay it back.

If they won't do that, I agree with others get some written confirmation from the bank so that if the other bank come back to try claim, your own bank will they lay responsible to reimburse.

Spanishmama0114 · 17/07/2020 10:25

I can't see how this could be a scam as the money is in your account. Credits never pend onto an account, once it is in your account it is cleared funds so if they wanted the money back it would be their money they were requesting.
As I mentioned before I'd be surprised if the person who sent is had made a mistake as if the name and acc details don't match the sender has to confirm they are still happy for the payment to go through before the bank will authorise it. And once they have done that they would be highly unlikely to be able to claim the funds back if they had made a mistake.
I'd just put it into another account so you don't spend it incase their bank request the money back and forget about it just now but I honestly think this is genuinely a payment meant for you. You would be surprised at how many payments are sent where the sender does not want the person to know the money has came from them

lifesalongsong · 17/07/2020 10:32

Of course now you know it's a BACS payment the confirmation of payee doesn't apply, strange that the bank are so sure it's for you even though they don't know where it's come from.

I don't think I'd be spending it any time soon.

Spanishmama0114 · 17/07/2020 10:59

I've just seen it's a BACS payment. Could you be due any HMRC payments as a lot of extra payments have been hitting customers accounts this week, but to be fair, they do normally say what benefit it is.
Or could it be a payment from your employer by mistake?

Apolloanddaphne · 17/07/2020 11:11

Are you due a refund on any travel or tickets you bought and can't use due to CV?

Iwantacookie · 17/07/2020 11:21

Do you do any surveys online a few of those do BACS payments?
Any school refunds for trips etc?
Was it exactly £800 to the penny?

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