Signing on and have recieved an odd payment from my ex employer. What should I do?

storminbalder

The payment has just arrived and is for £247. I am baffled as to what it is. The temptation of course is to keep it - I am rather skint and it is Xmas. But I am also unreasonably honest and anything dodgy worries me intensely.

I haven't worked for this employer (an agency) since March of this year. I'm wondering if it's some sort of tax refund, if so then I believe that the money is mine to keep.

I did however go for a 2 day interview a few weeks ago and am wondering if they have accidentally paid me for these two days? This obviously then would need to be repaid or declared to the job-centre.

I obviously could easily find out tomorrow - it's just that it is 1.20am now and I'm fretting.

This is further worrying as I am currently awaiting a start date to work at the DWP, and would presume that benefit fraud may be frowned upon amongst their employees!

If anyone has any thoughts of anything I might have missed that might put my mind at rest i'd be grateful.

storminbalder

Just had another thought, indeed if anyone else is also an insomniac, it can't be pay for the two day interview I had, because they would have paid for that last friday and not this one? They always pay meticulously on time.

I'm even more confused.

dmg24

I'm an insomniac too!

It could be a mistake (possibly should have been paid to someone else), or as you suggest, a tax rebate, but you're not going to know until morning I'm afraid.

Give the agency a call first thing (if you're not asleep by then!), I'm sure they'll be able to explain. Now sleep!

chelleybelley

another insomniac here!!! i like u am a worrier/honest and non sleeper too lol i would get in touch with relevant agency/job and enquire about the money its not worth the worry or even the loss of ur new job to be, and if it is a tax rebate then when u do spend it you will do it with a clear conscience!!
hope it works out well for u!!:j

storminbalder

Glad I'm not the only insomniac.

Just had another thought though. It can't be a tax refund either surely, I haven't worked for them in this tax year.

Gets odder and odder.

Perhaps it's a christmas gift. An odd thing for an agency to do, but stranger things have happened I suppose.

chelleybelley

:T lol well would still try and find out where it has come from hopefully it will be genuinely yours in time for the sales!!:T

chelleybelley

:T mmm talking of strange things happening tho i recieved a letter today from an old mobile phone company that the contract ended 7th september 2007 stating i was 21.00 in credit so they're gonna send me a cheque after 15 months!

[Deleted User]

Could the money not be outstanding holiday pay,or have you already had that


wish i could sleep but its been the worst day of my life today and its still not over !

storminbalder

Thanks for the replies.

No, the money was an overpayment. Rang them first thing and have returned the money to them.

Can sleep easy now, panic over.

lonestar1

Could it be an xmas bonus reduced as you didnt work the full year ?

If you want to know you'll have to ask them I expect unless you have any friends still working their who could tell you if it was a bonus

kompess

Im an insomniac too. I suffer from Fibromyalgia and this is one of the associated symptoms of it.