Wages paid into wrong account

[LoudBatPerson]

My DH started a new job last month and today was the first payday.

On checking his account the money didn't go in. He looked at his portal and has seen that they have recorded the sort code of his bank account have had the last 2 digits entered incorrectly.

He did not fill out the bank details. His company took them from a copy of his bank statement (that of course showed the correct details). So it isn't that he filled out a form wrong, they have.

I believe the sort code still would belong to the same bank.

Has this happened to anyone else?

Is this likely to be resolved quickly. Due to his change in jobs and several unexpected bills in the last few weeks we can't really afford to wait weeks for this to resolve. Particularly as it's not his fault (this time!)

I have used an online checker and the sort code they used doesn't exist. My understand is that then the payment shouldn't have left the companies account?

It is actually the last two parts of the sort code they entered wrong mot lady digit.

For eg, husband sort 11-22-33 and they used 11-33-66.

I am really hoping someone with HR/payroll experience can advise as husband can't speak to anyone for a few hours and I am really worrying.

Years ago I wrote my account number down wrong on new starter form. I just had to sign a form saying I would pay it back if the original payment ever made it to my account and they did a a second transfer for me the same day.

If it’s a sort code that doesn’t exist then that’s simpler because the company will still have the money in their account. He might have to be firm to make sure they pay it straight away and not tell him to wait until the next pay run. Some companies don’t like paying BACS fees to do a standalone payment. But it’s their error so make sure he fights them on it if that’s what they say.

This exact thing happened to me. My employer made an emergency payment to me within hours of finding out. They did say that they would’ve been less quick to act if it was my fault!

Has he raised this with his employer yet? Obviously they have a contractual obligation to pay him, so I would expect them to act quickly.

He is going to speak to them as soon as a manager gets in. He works part time 6am to 9am so no one else there at the moment. If no one is in by 9am he will ring.

I am hoping he can sort it today. His manager is great but HR are not on same site so no idea what they are like yet!

I am hopeful from reading these responses though.

This should be resolved fairly easily as if the sort code doesn’t exist the funds should be bounced back into the company account immediately as they will have nowhere to go.

The company will need to make a manual payment with the correct details and there is no reason why that can’t be done today.

It's nothing to do with HR, payroll need to do a payment which can be done immediately when they are told. You should have the money by the end of the day if DH is firm with them.

Payroll is part of the HR org in my company so am used to just using HR to cover both, but yep it's the payroll team he will need :)

Thank you everyone for the advice it has been very helpful and reassuring.

It's definitely been one of those months for us.

They are sorting it out and payment should be in before end of day :)

Thanks for the re assurance everyone!

Despite payroll saying would be paid in and the manager also chasing it up mid afternoon, the payment hasn't arrived still.

Now payroll have all finished for the night so waiting to hear tomorrow what's gone on.

The manager has confirmed though that the company made the mistake inputting the details so I don't understand why they haven't made payment yet.

@LoudBatPerson, has he been paid now?

@PatchworkElmer yes! They went in Friday afternoon all details correct now so fu fees crossed future payments will be smoother!

Payroll is usually paid using the BACS system which means that the payment goes into your account two days after the instruction, so if the BACS is raised by the company on a Thursday, the money will be in your bank on Monday (taking account of weekend) . It could be that the person raising the second payment just didn’t think and did it this way instead of by raising an instant payment.

Where I work they wait for the money to be recredited to the account and then pay it, could take a week

Payroll would have actioned a CHAPS payment so he was paid the same day.

Glad it is now all sorted.

@LoudBatPerson so pleased for you!