Bank credit received by mistake - can you help?

spili

Morning all

A bit of an unusual request for my first post I think!

Ok, I was checking my Bank Of Scotland account today (it is a bank account I use very little in the month to only pay bills…) when I realised that I received on the 5th March a credit from a company called C.E.C (“Bank Credit – C.E.C” is what appears on the statement) for over £700. After frantically checking with my family, friends and girlfriend (this was around my birthday), I have to say that I have absolutely no idea where this money is coming from. I had a word with BoS: a nice guy tried to help me, but was unfortunately unable to trace the payment much further (he couldn’t give me the country of origin, the name of the person who sent me the money, etc…), but he confirmed that the payment was made to my name (!!!!!! ??!) and he suggested that the payment might have come from a company called Best Exchange (http://www.bestexchange.net/CEC_whyUs.html). I also made a note on my account that I contested this transfer

I am getting a bit paranoid as I wonder how a company like that would have my details (I have never used them!) and am even wondering if this is some sort of clever scam (I haven’t shared my bank account details with anyone though…).

I could easily just sit down and enjoy the money, but it just feels wrong using this money which is not mine and coming from an unknown source.
Would you have any thoughts on that? Should I close this bank account just as a measure of safety? Is there anything else I could check?

Who would have thought that I would complain receiving money on my account huh?!

Thanks guys

spili

angied81

I noticed your message from quite some time ago when I googled Bank credit CEC. This has just happened to me. Did you ever find out where it came from and what happened?
Thanks

no-oneknowsme

Angie , its been almost 2 years since the author of the original post even signed into this site so im doubtful that he will be able to answer your query.

Hopefully though some of the other posters will be able to help you.

fdlowe

Just in case anyone else is wondering, to the best of my knowledge Bank Credit C.E.C is a payment from the City of Edinburgh Council (eg, housing benefit, etc.)

andy_allblack

Used to be with Barclays, several years ago when I was with them, I opened a National Savings and Investment account, stating on the form by Barclays account number and sorting code. Accumulated about a thousand pounds, anyway, switched to Lloydstsb after a disagreement with Barclays in 2004. In 2008, decided to close NS&I account, assuming money would be transfered to LTSB. Instead the money was transfered to Barclays old account number in someone else's name, OK it was my fault for not informing NS&I of change of account, but How many customers realise, that old account numbers of closed accounts are dished out to new customers?