Mysterious payment

[shouldhavecalleditoatabix]

So £500 has appeared in my bank account today. It is showing in a current account that I only use to pay bills. I have literally no idea where it came from. The bank say it was an electronic payment but cannot tell me anything about where it came from. It has an 11 digit reference beginning with a 7 and no other information.

I've asked family members. I've searched for the reference number. I've checked everything I can think of. I have no idea where it came from! Ideas?

[quote Carolofthebellies]‘Scammers paid £1,000 into my account so I told my bank - but that’s just what they wanted me to do’

www.walesonline.co.uk/news/scammers-paid-1000-account-told-15853749[/quote]
Wow, thanks for posting that! Everyone should read it. And remember, your bank will never all you to transfer money... no matter how legit it seems (I confess that this one might have taken me in...)

You’re not isolating and applied for the test & trace payment that certain people are eligible for?

@ I had £££appear in my account, TWICE and queried it hard each time....

And it was a mistake.

I also had £25k mortgage payment taken out of my account- also a mistake.

Bark bank!
I got £25k paid back.

I’d not spend it , as it is someone else’s money.
Banks can claw back mistakes I think.

Don’t spend it. Only place it in a savings account and incur interest. The problem is that the money isn’t yours, so you could be asked to return it and should be ready to do so when the time comes. Dependent on who paid it in, you could get fucked over in the future as it may be considered a debt.

Have you made any insurance claims? Could it be a refunded excess if the money was reclaimed from another party (had this with car insurance when other party had to pay my excess for me as part of the settlement between insurers).

HMRC reference numbers are 11 digits. Do you complete a self-assessment at all? Are you due a tax refund?

You have to know the name of the bank account holder now don't you to do a transfer

No, I can do so with just the sort code & account number

I won't be spending it but it is really worrying me. That article concerns me because I worry someone has applied for a payday loan or something in my name?

I'm not isolating
It isn't a rebate that I'm aware of
No bonus payments due
Not sure about frontline workers but I doubt Boris will do that considering they've just frozen public sector pay (except nhs).

@NEE1302

HMRC reference numbers are 11 digits. Do you complete a self-assessment at all? Are you due a tax refund?

I'm PAYE and have never done a tax return. Never had a rebate and surely that would show a reference of sorts?

@Rainbowshine

Have you made any insurance claims? Could it be a refunded excess if the money was reclaimed from another party (had this with car insurance when other party had to pay my excess for me as part of the settlement between insurers).

No insurance claims.

My first step was to call the bank but they seemed very uninterested!

Can't believe the banks are so uninterested in it. We are using their services.

Have you ever had a Barclaycard? They are currently making compensation payments to customers who may have been given a credit limit that was too high. They’re refunding certain charges and then paying compensation.
I had a mysterious payment of £75 last week for this, figured it out and then received my letter telling me about it at the weekend,
I was a bit gutted as it said the average payout was around £500 but still happy with a bonus £75 the week before Christmas

Have you searched the reference number online?

@TotheletterofthelawTHELETTER ooo what is your “high” credit limit? Wondering if I am eligible

Wait 24-48 hours and more info may appear on the listing

FYI. Insurance payouts come by cheque with an email or telephone call to warn you.
We’ve just had a claim in the last fortnight paid this way, and in October.

@TotheletterofthelawTHELETTER

Have you ever had a Barclaycard? They are currently making compensation payments to customers who may have been given a credit limit that was too high. They’re refunding certain charges and then paying compensation. I had a mysterious payment of £75 last week for this, figured it out and then received my letter telling me about it at the weekend, I was a bit gutted as it said the average payout was around £500 but still happy with a bonus £75 the week before Christmas

Is it bad that I am not sure?!

I have very good credit and I tend to change card ever 18-24 months to get 0% interest. Over the years I've had various cards but I don't think I have had barclaycard. Are any other credit card companies doing this?

@Vitaminsss yep I searched online and also my emails. Nothing

If you've checked using a mobile app, try using the full desktop web browser as sometimes there's more reference info than the on the app (depending on your bank).
Then try Googling the reference?

Could it be a grant for Covid? Councils pay them (firebreaks etc) and it could well be for you or a mistake in account numbers and but meant for you.

Have you tried googling the reference number.

I got £30 in my account once and searched the reference, found out it was from the lottery as I play online. The email notification had gone to an old email address so I didn't know it was going to be paid in.

Do you play the lottery online and linked to that bank account? When you win a prize from a previously won ‘lucky dip’ it appears as a mystery fund. I’ve had for £30 though, never £500!

Reference number on a V5 (car log book) is 11 digits - are you due a refund of any kind from DVLA?

None of the above and still no clue where the money came from. Maybe Santa really is real.......?

Might be worth checking your credit file using a free one like credit karma. At least then it'll give you peace of mind its not someone fraudulently using your details