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Money appeared in my bank account

288 replies

AlexaShutUp · 08/01/2022 12:11

Just under £3k has mysteriously appeared in our joint bank account. Dh knows nothing about it. Neither do I.

I will talk to the bank on Monday, but in the meantime, I'm speculating. Could this be something dodgy or a genuine mistake?

It's an Internet transfer from a bank in Swansea. Confused

OP posts:
user1481840227 · 09/01/2022 23:50

Thanks @AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair and @PerkingFaintly

Very useful. I never would have known if not for this thread!

Mamanyt · 10/01/2022 00:55

There was just a big news story here in the USA about a GB bank that inadvertently sent out over $3M in USD to various people in GB. I'd check with your bank about it. DO NOT spend it, DO NOT send it to ANYONE ELSE if asked. Let your bank handle this.

GrannytoaUnicorn · 10/01/2022 00:58

@Mamanyt

There was just a big news story here in the USA about a GB bank that inadvertently sent out over $3M in USD to various people in GB. I'd check with your bank about it. DO NOT spend it, DO NOT send it to ANYONE ELSE if asked. Let your bank handle this.
OP already did - 2 days ago!

Cancel the cheque!!!!

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Furries · 10/01/2022 01:11

These bastards are getting more and more sneaky. I kind of miss the days of receiving a letter/email from a Prince - seems so old-fashioned now!

Basic summary is - your bank should never ask yo to transfer funds to another/safe account.

If your “bank” do call you, feel free to hang up and call them yourself. Ideally from another phone, if not then call someone else first to check the line is clear.

Never call a number provided in an email or text. There is usually a phone number printed in the back of your card. As an aside, whenever you receive a new/replacement bank card, it’s worth noting the number in your contacts/address book so that you have it to hand if your card is stolen.

Separately, and a bit late now, but be aware of texts in the weeks leading up to Christmas - saying they are Hermes/DPD/Royal Mail “sorry we couldn’t deliver your parcel, click here” etc. They rely on people being so busy and having ordered multiple goods online.

Basically, be a completely suspicious pain in the bum when it comes to anything digital regarding funds. I think most banks/businesses are now fully aware that customers are likely to conduct their own “due diligence”.

Lastly, if you have the time to spare and you’re 99% confident you’ve been contacted by a shitty scammer, I highly recommend keeping them on the line and “playing along”. The longer you have them on the line, the less time they have to be contacting someone more vulnerable. I’ve only been able to do it twice, but the satisfaction when the realisation finally hits them is well worth it! It is the only time that I’m willing to play the stereotype of a “dumb woman” - usually the arrogant shits tend to fall for that.

GoodnightGrandma · 10/01/2022 05:59

If I get a text or an email saying that it’s from my bank I immediately delete it, and contact my bank either through my app using my security details or via the contacts on their website. Never ever hit a link.

GoodnightGrandma · 10/01/2022 05:59

@janj2301

Whenever I have to transfer money to another account, the first time I send £1 and when they confirm safe receipt I send the rest, a simple typo and my money could go to the wrong account and it can be difficult getting it back
I do this too !
AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 10/01/2022 07:40

Doesn't everyone do the £1 for large new payments?

Ring from another phone is fast becoming the new cancel the cheque when it's really not necessary. Yu're worrying all the people who only have one phone.

Ddot · 10/01/2022 14:16

This happened to me, I had all the employees pay 🥳 I did return

KissedintheDark · 10/01/2022 19:17

I"d have bought myself something nice by now like a posh holiday and ask if I can pay it back in instalments when they ask for it back. Wink

Shallwegoforawalk · 10/01/2022 20:02

Just place marking to find out what happens!

My bank made a huge error once and I was helpful and got £250 as a good will/thank you. That was a long long time ago!

IndieR22 · 10/01/2022 20:53

Not quite the same scale but found £20 in my purse yesterday. Can't remember where it came from or why it's there as I never have cash on me. Bought a Chinese with it.

Ddot · 10/01/2022 23:11

Always makes your day when you find money in your bag you forgot about

Kebabandchipsplease · 11/01/2022 08:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Curiousmouse · 11/01/2022 08:58

I was debited a reasonable sun of money in my account, The bank eventually (6 months later) discovered that they'd mistyped one digit whilst paying 1500 from someone else's account to a third party. I had to go to considerable effort to get them to see/believe that I would not have paid that sum myself. It was sorted eventually.

XiCi · 11/01/2022 09:35

@SnackSizeRaisin

I once reported a debit card missing and then someone tried to use it the same day. The debit card later turned up safe and sound, so it must have been an inside job from the bank employee. Dodgy things can and do happen. Stay vigilant and trust no one
I work in fraud. This just can't happen with debit cards. Most transactions are contactless or chip and PIN. The card needs to be present. And with any distance contract the 3 digit security number on the back of your card would have to be used and there is no possible way any bank employee can get this. Likely someone close to you or in your household will have taken the card, tried to use it and then returned it without you knowing.
HaveringWavering · 11/01/2022 13:17

Any news from the bank OP?

Pr1mr0se · 11/01/2022 14:40

Report to your bank. ASAP. If you don't you could find a bailiff or worse on your doorstep or your bank account suspended. It could affect your credit rating even if it's not your fault if you don't pay back the funds quickly so make sure you follow that up too.

monotonousmum · 11/01/2022 14:42

A few years ago I had a nationwide account, and you did not have to enter the three digits to make an online transaction. It went through a 'verified by visa' check when I bought anything, but I didn't have to input anything other than my card number and expiry, and name.

I actually cancelled the account because it took months to get back about £100 from a transaction that clearly wasn't mine - they were insisting that because it was verified by visa it must have been me. I was on a plane at the time of the transaction and had to take my boarding pass into a branch to verify. The purchase was for one of those shops in London that sells hair extensions etc.

AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 11/01/2022 15:07

@Pr1mr0se

Report to your bank. ASAP. If you don't you could find a bailiff or worse on your doorstep or your bank account suspended. It could affect your credit rating even if it's not your fault if you don't pay back the funds quickly so make sure you follow that up too.
Phew, at last a sensible suggestion after 3 days of waiting GrinGrin
HollowTalk · 11/01/2022 15:27

I really hope this money actually belongs to you, OP. You deserve it after all this!

AlexaShutUp · 11/01/2022 15:31

I have now had an update from the bank. The money was transferred in error by an individual from their personal account. It seems that they typed in the wrong account number, didn't register the warnings that the name didn't match and decided to proceed with the transfer anyway.

The money has now been returned to its rightful owner!Smile

OP posts:
AlexaShutUp · 11/01/2022 15:31

What's the betting that I'll still get a few more posts on here advising me to contact the bank? Wink

OP posts:
AlexaShutUp · 11/01/2022 15:32

@HollowTalk

I really hope this money actually belongs to you, OP. You deserve it after all this!
That's so lovely @HollowTalk. Sadly, it wasn't ours but I'm glad that it has gone back to the right person now!
OP posts:
Everdreamer1990 · 11/01/2022 15:33

@AlexaShutUp

I have now had an update from the bank. The money was transferred in error by an individual from their personal account. It seems that they typed in the wrong account number, didn't register the warnings that the name didn't match and decided to proceed with the transfer anyway.

The money has now been returned to its rightful owner!Smile

Glad you found out who it belonged to. I'm sure that individual was very grateful & you'll have some good karma coming your way.
whataboutbob · 11/01/2022 15:34

Well done @AlexaShutUp I like to believe most people would do the same as you.

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