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Original poster

Somebody has paid off my credit card?!?

33 replies

Creditcardproblem · 14/06/2006 14:56

We've just received our credit card statement, and somebody has made a payment to it, which leaves the card over £1000 in credit Shock. I've just checked all of our accounts to ensure that we've not done it by accident, but I'm fairly sure we haven't.

What happens next? Has anybody had this happen to them before?

OP posts:
Rhubarb · 14/06/2006 14:57

You have a party and invite us all round! Grin

WelshBoris · 14/06/2006 14:58

It was me you can pay me back now please

throckenholt · 14/06/2006 14:58

contact the credit card company and ask for the bank details of the transcation that paid the money in.

monkeytrousers · 14/06/2006 14:59

Don't spend it - the error will be uncovered and you will have to pay it back.

Norah · 14/06/2006 14:59

What happens next depends on you !

Either you confess and go back to where you were or you keep quiet and see what happens !

Odds are though that the real owner of the money will be asking where it's gone and soon they will recify the mistake on your account !

SaintGeorge · 14/06/2006 15:00

Notify them, it will backfire on you at some point in the future if you don't.

I had this with my mortgage. I received a letter confirming the £5K paid in. I told them I hadn't, they said I had. Back and forth for a while before they admitted their cockup. They did admit they would have stung me for back-interest at some point in the future when it was caught during an audit and corrected.

acnebride · 14/06/2006 15:00

Stick £990 in a high-earning savings account NOW, then you might make a few quid before whoever it is realises their mistake Smile

clumsymum · 14/06/2006 15:01

DON'T SPEND IT !!!!

The card company have obviously credited the wrong account, and eventually they will realise, probably when the person who has paid their own account complains.

Then the card company will debit your account again.

You must not treat this as your money, don't use the card until it's sorted.

Best really to phone the company and tell them.

Original poster
Creditcardproblem · 14/06/2006 15:06

I wasn't planning on spending it (wishful thinking!). It's just when something similar happened to me (I paid money into the wrong credit card account by accident), they told me that the other person wasn't obliged to give it back, and I would have to rely on their better nature.

OP posts:
Original poster
Creditcardproblem · 14/06/2006 15:08

Do I have to notify them? If I'm honest, I wouldn't normally even look at the statement - I know it is paid off monthly by direct debit. I know that's terrible, but it's just by chance that I've even noticed it.

OP posts:
SaintGeorge · 14/06/2006 15:09

Depends on how it got there.

If it is the payee who has made a mistake, then I would think it would rely on your goodwill.

However, if the credit company has made the error then you have no right to the money and the other customer would be entitled to it back.

clumsymum · 14/06/2006 15:12

I think that's rubbish actually. I believe that if you use funds which you know are not yours, then that is tantamount to theft, and can be prosecuted.

It is the bank/credit card company's job to ensure that money credited to the wrong account is re-allocated.

Norah · 14/06/2006 15:15

Just ignore it then and see what happens - if it stays for a few months maybe you've had a lucky break ! I would think it would go again pretty quick if the error was picked up.

Would really not take it out though - at least if you leave it you can plead ignorance - whereas if you actually do something with it you could be accused of something !

SaintGeorge · 14/06/2006 15:16

Yes it is theft, but if the payee credits it to your account then the onus would be on them to prove it was a genuine error.

Why should the bank correct an error if the paying in slip (for example) clearly states where the money is to go?

On the other hand, like I said, if it is the bank/company at fault then they should correct it.

Original poster
Creditcardproblem · 14/06/2006 15:28

Hmmm. Might just wait and see what happens then. Surely they can't say I've done anything wrong if I've done nothing to the account (i.e. not taken the money out).

Wonder how long it will take for them to notice? When I did it, it was only when I got the following months statement that I clicked that there was no payment made on it for the previous month.

OP posts:
AlmightyGod · 14/06/2006 15:30

It was I, you may thank me now!

GDG · 14/06/2006 15:31

I would mention it - what's the point of having htat money sat there if you can't spend it anyway? You may aswell be where you were before.

The error will soon be realised anyway - I just couldn't stop worrying about it if it was me and I'd have to be honest about it.

foundintranslation · 14/06/2006 15:46

Notify them.

SaintGeorge · 14/06/2006 16:19

If you decide not to tell them, at least make sure that you still pay the correct amount each month as if that £1000 wasn't on the account. Otherwise you will be doing something wrong by using someone else's money.

Just tell them, get it out of the way.

fairyjay · 14/06/2006 16:20

I would leave it and see what happens. But don't spend it, and be prepared to pay it back. You haven't stolen, but clearly a mistake has been made. It's not your job to rectify it though.

Kelly1978 · 14/06/2006 16:23

if you are aware you have to tell them really, you can't jsut wait and see because it is theft. You have to take reasonable steps to find the rightful owner, i.e. notify the ccrd company.

tenalady · 14/06/2006 16:23

I would let them know, but how exciting Grin. I received a rather heavy parcel this morning all properly and correctly addressed to me, when I opened it I found some bt phones about £70 worth of kit. I didnt order it, I havent paid for it and it comes from a private address. I couldnt find the tel number but I have sent a letter today to the sender querying this unexpected free gift. I have yet to hear. Thank goodness they put their address on the back as I would never of been able to check as it came without any paperwork inside.

monkeytrousers · 14/06/2006 16:27

You might get a reward from the person whose money it really is if you are honest about it, if they can afford it. If they can't, imagine how it would make you feel..

peachyClair · 14/06/2006 16:38

I would telephone them as a matter of honour alone, you don't know who this other person is- it could well be someone who has struggled to pay this (we sold opur house to clear bebts for example, or someone who has taken out a consolidation loan).

Its also, imo, theft to accept it.

puddytats · 08/07/2006 21:44

Tell Them now, please