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Money Moral Dilemma: Should I tell the travel company they refunded me twice?
MSE_Sarah
Posts: 328 MSE Staff
This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...
Unfortunately the MSE team can't always answer money moral dilemma questions as contributions are often emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be enjoyed as a point of debate and discussed at face value.
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I recently applied for a refund from a big travel company but ended up receiving the payment twice as I was dealing with separate customer service agents. Should I 'fess up or keep the money?
Unfortunately the MSE team can't always answer money moral dilemma questions as contributions are often emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be enjoyed as a point of debate and discussed at face value.
If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply!
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Comments
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Yes. It's theft otherwise, and you'll look a right charlie when the accounting department catches up with you.0
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You could keep the money ; until a judge orders you to hand it over, but that can be a very tedious business.
Have you tried refunding them ? If it's proving awkward ; if they do such a thing, buy one of their pre-payment cards, then at least they "have the money", and you won't be tempted to spend it.0 -
Think you must be mad to even consider this. You have obviously contacted them as they charged you twice so wanted your money back so it is the same with the company. If they say you can keep it then thats a bonus but it's not your money so you must at least offer to pay it back.0
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Here's the thing - it is not your money and spending it at any time is at your own risk, however, from experience in all these results there are options:
Is it a large amount of money? No, then read on. Yes, then sort it now.
If the money may cause you difficulty by being in your account say it may be classed as savings or income, then you need to flag it up and have it removed asap.
If not, then consider if it is a small firm. If it is a small firm where this is an amount that makes a difference, then again flag it up asap.
If it is a large firm where no one will thank you for highlighting their mistake, then I suggest you do not spend it, but sit on it for 18-24 months. If, after that time it has not been reclaimed then take your chances.
Most firms will not reclaim then. Sometimes, they just prefer to write it off than spend time on it. It is just the way of the world. I've been treated badly by being honest in the past. No one in interested once they have finished dealing with you and going back is just a pain in the backside for them.0 -
Do you actually still have a holiday booked or have you already been and come back? It might be that 2 x refunds means holiday cancelled!
If you've already enjoyed your holiday then personally I'd put it in a separate savings account and see if they reclaim it. They should contact you though before taking the payment again!
Is it a small travel company or a multi-national and are you likely to travel with them again?
Like many dilemmas not enough information!0 -
If they overcharged you and you didn't notice, would they tell you? I doubt it. But if you spend it and they ask for it back could leave you skint. I'd keep it somewhere for few months and if heard nothing then spend it.0
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Yes. Can't see the dilemma0
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Am I the only one who is disturbed that MSE are using this potentially dishonest scenario as click bait?
Surely it's not even up for discussion? Or have MSE now decided it's OK promote fraud?Accept your past without regret, handle your present with confidence and face your future without fear0 -
As others have said, it's theft to knowingly keep (spend) it so if that's a "moral dilemma" to somebody then I think there may be bigger questions at issue :rotfl:
You've obviously contacted the company before, if they were easy to deal with then contact them again & let them know.
If, on the other hand, they were a hell to deal with, then I would just leave the money there and let them contact you.
If leaving the money there (assuming it WILL be taken back at some point) causes you any issue then do contact them.0 -
Most people joining or using MSE expect businesses to do the right thing and act honorably. If all business always acted honorably, maybe MSE might not even exist!
So you should act honorably as well. Don't steel the money just because someone made an error.
If you keep the money you're a hypocrite. If you saw an old lady drop her purse would you keep it or tell her? It's the same principle here.0
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