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Original poster

Refunded twice

105 replies

Feelingguiltyandpoor · 23/08/2022 20:29

I paid for an event which ended up being cancelled by the company. After a huge amount battling and about 6 weeks later they finally refunded me the money (after initially saying it would be refunded in 5 days). I refunded my friends for their bit and thought that was it. However a week later and I've been refunded again. I'm now in a dilemma as since I bought the tickets a few months ago my financial situation is much worse. Would I be completely unreasonable for not telling the company and keeping the money? It's a big organisation and not a small company who will be hard hit. It's around £100.
God I know it's wrong and it's stealing. I need to tell them don't I even though they tried to keep my money in the first place. This money would be used for petrol and food and not luxuries but I know it's still wrong. I feel so guilty and know I need to do the right thing but this money is so needed right now. Ahhh.

OP posts:
Iced · 23/08/2022 21:26

Keep it!

Wonnle · 23/08/2022 21:27

I got credited twice by EDF for them not turning up to change my meter , as i had the afternoon off work unpaid I kept it .

VioletInsolence · 23/08/2022 21:29

I’d keep it. The world isn’t fair and big organisations get away with things such as not paying tax. I couldn’t respect someone who paid this money back because they felt guilty…in fact it’s probably this kind of person who would insist on paying their energy bills however much they went up.

AdobeWanKenobi · 23/08/2022 21:33

All you who kept it and nothing happing posters should remember that companies have six years to reclaim the money, so your celebrations might yet be premature, specially if the company in question decided to have an audit.

Brefugee · 23/08/2022 21:36

Yeah I do chilli. However I'm looking for a 2nd and possibly 3rd job just to pay my bills.

but it doesn't justify stealing it. Sorry for your financial woes, but you have to give it back.

HillyBillyBob · 23/08/2022 21:41

Keep it it's their mistake!

PeskyYeti · 23/08/2022 21:54

Keep it.

user1471457751 · 23/08/2022 22:01

Would you be OK with it if you made a mistake paid double and the company refused to refund you?

They will have 6 years to chase you so putting it aside for a week is rather pointless.

SurfBox · 23/08/2022 22:05

*Something like this happened to me a few years ago. I kept it, they never asked for it back.

If I sent money to a big company accidentally do you think they would give it back*

so does that justify it to you?You think because others might do it then it's a pass for you to do likewise?

Squashedraddish · 23/08/2022 22:08

I would keep it. Their mistake

CourtneeLuv · 23/08/2022 22:11

Keep it, they'll write it off.

Christmasiscominghohoho · 23/08/2022 22:11

I’d keep it.
I wouldn’t spend it for a few weeks incase they took it back but after that I’d spend it.

It’s not stealing as they gave it to you. It’s not your job to chase then to do their job properly.

ThanksAntsThants · 23/08/2022 22:14

Don’t spend it, sit on it a bit, then after three months if they haven’t called it back it’s finders keepers.

AdobeWanKenobi · 23/08/2022 22:41

ThanksAntsThants · 23/08/2022 22:14

Don’t spend it, sit on it a bit, then after three months if they haven’t called it back it’s finders keepers.

Three months? 😂
its SIX YEARS

WaffleIron · 23/08/2022 22:47

Depends if you can afford to lose the money at any other time doesn't it?

By all means keep it- and spend it - but with the understanding they can - and likely will - just come along and take the money back, possibly when you really can't afford to be £100 down. They likely wont care how and if you can afford it when they come back for it.

BashfulClam · 23/08/2022 22:57

I bought some clothes via a national retailer during lockdown. I then got an e-mail saying they’d received my return and would credit me (it was only £35). Sure enough a few days later the money was back in my account , I hadn’t returned anything and i kept the money. If they try and take the money again (doubtful 2 years later) would probably cost them more than £35 to do it.

BashfulClam · 23/08/2022 23:01

Oh I also got my MOT for free. We booked online and paid, they called to re-arrange but then we got an e-mail to confirm the original appointment would be credited. When we were at the garage they asked ‘did you pay online?’ (This was before we knew about the refund) and we obviously said ‘yes’ so no charge was made.

Getoff · 23/08/2022 23:06

Why you can’t keep accidental payments
Keeping any money wrongly credited to your account could lead to you being charged with ‘retaining wrongful credit' under the Theft Act 1968.
You could be guilty of an offence if a wrongful credit is made to your account and:
You know the credit has been made incorrectly
You don't take steps to cancel the credit

www.money.co.uk/guides/can-you-keep-money-accidentally-paid-into-your-bank-account

CapMarvel · 23/08/2022 23:13

I would pay it back without a seconds thought, as it's the right thing to do.

CapMarvel · 23/08/2022 23:14

VioletInsolence · 23/08/2022 21:29

I’d keep it. The world isn’t fair and big organisations get away with things such as not paying tax. I couldn’t respect someone who paid this money back because they felt guilty…in fact it’s probably this kind of person who would insist on paying their energy bills however much they went up.

This argument that it's ok to rip companies off just because they are big is total bullshit, you realise?

Namechangenoidea · 23/08/2022 23:36

Just don’t do anything. Leave it a month and if they haven’t contacted you spend it.

AdobeWanKenobi · 23/08/2022 23:40

Namechangenoidea · 23/08/2022 23:36

Just don’t do anything. Leave it a month and if they haven’t contacted you spend it.

As you seem to be advising OP to just spend it can you link to the relevant legislation that you think overrides the six year statute of limitations down to just one month please?
Clue. There isn’t any and your advice is dangerous at best for an OP already on a budget who might find that budget reduced unexpectedly without any warning by £100 at any point within the next six years.

scorpiogirly · 23/08/2022 23:43

I'd wait a bit and keep it. I know that makes me sound bad but meh.

Vikinga · 23/08/2022 23:47

I think the hassle of trying to send it back isn't worth it. I wouldn't say anything but I wouldn't spend it just now.

Vikinga · 23/08/2022 23:48

Getoff · 23/08/2022 23:06

Why you can’t keep accidental payments
Keeping any money wrongly credited to your account could lead to you being charged with ‘retaining wrongful credit' under the Theft Act 1968.
You could be guilty of an offence if a wrongful credit is made to your account and:
You know the credit has been made incorrectly
You don't take steps to cancel the credit

www.money.co.uk/guides/can-you-keep-money-accidentally-paid-into-your-bank-account

People don't check their accounts diligently. It is often the other way round with consumers paying subscriptions for years without realising.