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Original poster

Transferred money to wrong account

45 replies

ellyfish · 16/02/2021 16:54

Hi!
So, my boyfriends, Dad transferred money into my boyfriends ex-girlfriends account by accident (used to be their account pre-split). They have tried contacting her numerous times and she is completely ignoring everyone. We have tried contacting the bank but they said it's a tricky and lengthy process to get it back and there is no guarantee of even getting the money back at the end of it. I apologise if this isn't your bog-standard post on here, I'm just pretty angry and at a loss at what to do! Does anyone have any advice on ways to deal with this?
Many thanks!

OP posts:
Itsjustmilk · 16/02/2021 16:57

She didn't find the money in the street it was transferred into her bank account. I don't think you can just say you want the money back again.

dementedpixie · 16/02/2021 16:58

He has to go through through his bank if she is not responding. No other way to get it back

Outbutnotoutout · 16/02/2021 16:58

It was transferred in error

I would go to her house and ask her to return the money or you are going to the police as its theft

dementedpixie · 16/02/2021 17:00

The police will not get involved and she could report them for harassment. He sent the money to the wrong account so he has to go through his bank to try to get it back

dementedpixie · 16/02/2021 17:03

Xpost Grin

Outbutnotoutout · 16/02/2021 17:11

Sec 20 of the theft act

"Theft by finding or other,"

The police will take it seriously

Xoxoxoxoxoxox · 16/02/2021 17:12

Was it a large amount? If it was under £50 I would write it off I think.
If it was a large amount perhaps you could try a solicitors letter and the small claims court.
I think there was a case where someone went to court to get back a large amount transferred in error and won the case; it took months but that was because they didn't know who it was transferred to, but in this case you do.

dementedpixie · 16/02/2021 17:14

@Outbutnotoutout

Sec 20 of the theft act

"Theft by finding or other,"

The police will take it seriously

I very much doubt they will be interested and will direct them to their bank to do it through the proper channels
ChonkyChook · 16/02/2021 17:15

@Outbutnotoutout

Sec 20 of the theft act

"Theft by finding or other,"

The police will take it seriously

That greatly depends on the force.
Outbutnotoutout · 16/02/2021 17:16

If they have tried the bank
Tried a recorded letter
I would then approach the police

that greatly depends on the force
It's their job

Hoppinggreen · 16/02/2021 17:16

I did something similar at work once, paid an ex employee by mistake. Bank said it was tough but thankfully the person concerned did return it when asked
If he did it willingly then it might be hard to get it back

CurlyReds · 16/02/2021 17:21

You’re unlikely to get it back. It wasn’t the bank’s mistake - you transferred the money into that account.

Sadandsadder · 16/02/2021 17:22

How much was transferred?

dementedpixie · 16/02/2021 17:22

The bank are being lazy and uncooperative if they are not investigating properly. Tell him to get back onto them and that they need to contact the receiving bank to reclaim the payment.

www.gocompare.com/current-accounts/reclaiming-misdirected-payments/

Gazelda · 16/02/2021 17:25

How long ago was the transfer made?

dementedpixie · 16/02/2021 17:27

Is his name still on the account or did he get his name removed? Would need both of them to sign to get the name taken off

Original poster
ellyfish · 16/02/2021 17:31

@Itsjustmilk It was transferred in error. It wasn't a small amount either. I think we have every right to ask for our hard-earned money back when it was a simple mistake. If she has spent it after we have asked for it back, that is theft.

OP posts:
CurlyReds · 16/02/2021 17:34

If she has spent it after we have asked for it back, that is theft
It isn’t though. Because she didn’t steal it. You gave it to her.

donewithitalltodayandxmas · 16/02/2021 17:36

Not sure how it works but you can't tell me if the bank actually put £4000 in my account by error and I spent it nothing would be done, so the bank can try .
In meantime yes try and contact the payee assuming she still has the account, my friend paid money into an old account of mine that was closed and eventually it just bounced back to her but took a week or more.

Original poster
ellyfish · 16/02/2021 17:36

[quote dementedpixie]The bank are being lazy and uncooperative if they are not investigating properly. Tell him to get back onto them and that they need to contact the receiving bank to reclaim the payment.

www.gocompare.com/current-accounts/reclaiming-misdirected-payments/[/quote]
Thank you for this, that's very helpful. I will pass this on!

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 16/02/2021 17:37

You need to go via the bank in the first instance
Is his name still on the account?

Outbutnotoutout · 16/02/2021 17:38

@CurlyReds

If she has spent it after we have asked for it back, that is theft It isn’t though. Because she didn’t steal it. You gave it to her.
They have informed her it was in error, therefore its theft
Soontobe60 · 16/02/2021 17:40

@Outbutnotoutout

It was transferred in error

I would go to her house and ask her to return the money or you are going to the police as its theft

It isn’t. He sent her the money, she didnt take it off him.