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Original poster

£2,500 has unexpectedly appeared in my bank account overnight.

60 replies

Hitplay · 07/04/2022 08:11

The info line only states “Funds Transfer”. It’s into our joint account and husband knows nothing about it either.

I’m in work shortly so won’t be able to call the bank for a few hours.

Anyone want to proffer fun ideas as to why it’s there, and what to do with it*?

*Other than not get attached to it as I’d imagine it’ll be taken back sharpish if it is a banking error.

OP posts:
Sally090807 · 07/04/2022 10:29

“Ooo put all your lights on, turn the heating up all day and fill up your car”

Well that will be £1k gone already 😬

dizzydizzydizzy · 07/04/2022 10:43

This happened to me too. I phoned the bank and they insisted I had paid in a cheque in a branch in a town I had never been to. So, I left the money in my savings account for about 9 months assuming somebody would claim it. They didn't. I would say at least 2 years have passed now. I spent the money on some renovations to my house.

EdgeOfSeventeenAndThreeQuarter · 07/04/2022 10:46

Wash EVERYTHING you can find on a lovely hot wash, then tumble dry the lot.

After all that you’ll be exhausted so have a long, hot bath whilst the oven’s on.

Money gone. Problem solved.

bluebaul · 07/04/2022 11:03

@Lubeyboobyalt

it can't be error these days, they have to have the correct name on the account before transferring

That's not strictly true. The bank will tell you if the name doesn't match but it won't prevent you from making the transfer anyway.

Kezzie200 · 07/04/2022 11:33

It warns you but doesn't stop you. When the name for my PIP couldn't be confirmed they had auto messages seriously warning me to be absolutely sure if I went ahead. So I didn't.

RB68 · 07/04/2022 12:04

ITs easy to transpose numbers and confirm twice if any sort of number blindness or even not well - they will just eventually ask for it back although you can preempt it and contact the bank first

easterholidays · 07/04/2022 12:06

If it is a scam, how does it work?

Someone gets in touch with you, apologises profusely for sending you money in error and asks for it back. They give you bank details, you transfer it to them and at the same time they rescind the original transfer, so you're down by whatever amount it was.

The answer here is, as others say, to do nothing. Don't spend the money, leave it to your bank. Don't engage with anyone who calls you or gets in touch about it - if they say they're from your bank don't speak to them except to tell them you'll call the bank directly.

KnowingMeKnowingYouAhaaaa · 07/04/2022 12:13

Should just about cover your gas and electric for the first month, toasty Grin.

It'll be an error, contact the bank they'll sort it. Just make sure you go through them. My friend had this last year with a similar amount only it was a solicitors firm she had done work for in the past, payment was made in error (they actually said it wasn't and they owed her it, they didnt!). She imagined some poor junior team member shitting themselves over the error. It was sorted out.

AlexaShutUp · 07/04/2022 12:22

What happened next,@AlexaShutUp? As in, did you have to contact the bank or did they just take it back automatically?

I contacted the bank. They said that they would investigate and they subsequently informed me that it was an error and asked if they could transfer the money back to its rightful owner. Of course I said yes!Grin

Seeline · 07/04/2022 12:29

@Lubeyboobyalt

it can't be error these days, they have to have the correct name on the account before transferring
My app saves previous payees so it's possible to send money to someone with the correct name, bank details etc - it's just I 've clicked the window cleaner rather than the gardener for example.
shrumps · 07/04/2022 12:34

This happened to my then 14 year old son - who ran downstairs in delight at £3k appearing in his account overnight. Of course we called that bank and it was returned to the rightful owner...

AnxiousHeffalump · 07/04/2022 12:37

Be wary, as others have said, of being asked to transfer it elsewhere.

AtomicBlondeRose · 07/04/2022 12:40

Did you have a Help to Save account? Mine has just finished and the funds get automatically put back into your account.

Original poster
Hitplay · 07/04/2022 17:28

No, nothing like that.

The only thing that pays into the joint account is our wages, and then DDs come out. If I was giving anyone account details to transfer money, it’d be my personal account.

Will keep an eye out for scams.

OP posts:
Whattodoniw · 07/04/2022 17:42

@teaandtoastwithmarmite

It's actually mine. Was wondering where it had gone Grin
😆😆😆
londonmummy1966 · 07/04/2022 17:50

It's Mrs Sunak's annual tax payment gone to the wrong account.....

FuckYouDebbie · 07/04/2022 17:50

I had this - also £2500 - from HMRC immediately after a transfer from them that I was expecting for a much much less amount that also had went through on the same day. I phoned them, went all round the houses, really for a few weeks. It never got sorted. I bought a car in the end. This was two years ago. I did need a car. Sometimes these things just work out.

FuckYouDebbie · 07/04/2022 17:52

Maybe HMRC do this every year??? Can't balance the books so just give two and a half grand to a few lucky punters at tax year end.

JohnPrescottsPyjamas · 07/04/2022 17:58

@easterholidays

If it is a scam, how does it work?

Someone gets in touch with you, apologises profusely for sending you money in error and asks for it back. They give you bank details, you transfer it to them and at the same time they rescind the original transfer, so you're down by whatever amount it was.

The answer here is, as others say, to do nothing. Don't spend the money, leave it to your bank. Don't engage with anyone who calls you or gets in touch about it - if they say they're from your bank don't speak to them except to tell them you'll call the bank directly.

We had exactly this scam.

We had £10,000 suddenly appear in our current account followed by a phone call from a very tearful “Telecoms” company employee telling us they were supposed to refund us a £10 goodwill gesture for recent ‘ issues’ but had transferred £10,000 in error and that they would be in serious trouble with their employer if their mistake was discovered. They gave us bank account details to send the money to - which strangely, was a bank in Thailand. Hmm

Our initial thoughts were sympathy for this distraught individual but luckily, DH decided to have a quick look at all our other accounts before we returned the money.

Guess what? The £10,000 was actually our own money - transferred by stealth from from our savings account. It took one hell of a battle to get our online bank interested in the fact that our accounts had been accessed remotely.

Please be very, very careful. Sit tight on the money. Check your other accounts. Don’t spend it as if it is a genuine bank error, that may be considered theft. If your bank contacts you by phone, ring them back on a number you have obtained yourself - not one ‘they’ might give you.

Georgyporky · 07/04/2022 18:04

As already said, do nothing.
If your bank 'phones, ask them to send a letter.

If it is really is your bank, they'll understand.

Iamkmackered1979 · 07/04/2022 18:05

hope you get it sorted, def do not speak or give any details to anyone who calls you. Your bank will not phone you. Phone them.too many scams out there. Boyfriend works for bank and he deals with this all day long.

JanglyBeads · 07/04/2022 18:10

When similar happened to me it was delayed payment of some benefit areas, I'd expected a letter with the decision before I got the money, but no letter ever appeared!

Sux2buthen · 07/04/2022 18:14

@JanglyBeads

When similar happened to me it was delayed payment of some benefit areas, I'd expected a letter with the decision before I got the money, but no letter ever appeared!
Same here, I was overjoyed when it was finally cleared up
Uncurtailed · 07/04/2022 18:35

You will almost 100% need to return it - so don't spend it! However noting to stop it going in a ISA for a while and keeping any interest etc.

Concestor · 07/04/2022 18:40

If it was 3k I'd say it was mine. My new employer managed to pay someone else with the same name as me, and I'm still waiting to actually be paid!

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