My bank threatening court over their mistake-please help!

Katzen

Hi all,
just had a letter off my bank saying I owe them money that they paid to me by mistake and they will take me to court if I don't pay. I recieved a letter over a month ago saying they wanted it back. I tried to call but they are only open 8-4 and I'm a teacher so can't usually make calls during these hours. On a couple of occassions where I have called early enough there's been no answer so I've left voicemails. Just tried to call today (before 4) and still got the machine.
Anyone know how seriously I should take this threat and any advice on what to do next?
Thanks
K

Noble_Savage

Katzen wrote: »

Anyone know how seriously I should take this threat and any advice on what to do next?
Thanks
K

1) Have you received any money that wasn't yours?
2) If yes, can you pay it back?

ClareEmily

you must get a lunchbreak to make a call?

Like the other poster said, if they have paid you money by mistake then you must pay it back.

If not call and sort out asap

mysparrow

I think you should take it very seriously! Does the letter name the date they intend to do it?
I am in a similar situation.
In Nov 2008 I received 2 separate credits, totalling £1420, from citibank marked as 'nostro' account. I knew they were not for me. I rang my bank (HSBC) immediately to tell them. Their response - 'wait & see when they ask for it back'!
It wasn't returnable directly for some reason so it couldn't just be reversed like I wanted them to do.
Anyhow I have spent the last 13 months trying to return that money. I have received several letters addressed to my bank to pass on to myself asking to return via electronic credit or by cheque. I tried on several occasions to return it to the account details given but they had got that wrong too (!) & it wouldn't accept the transfer. I refused to write a personal cheque to a strange bank.
All this time I have held that money in my current account waiting for it to be reclaimed.
Yesterday I received a letter from my own bank informing me that they would be retreiving the credits on the 22nd Dec. Hallelujah! At least they have given notice - I can imagine other people may have moved it or even spent it.
So for those of you that think they can't get it back - They CAN!

noh

ClareEmily wrote: »

you must get a lunchbreak to make a call?

Like the other poster said, if they have paid you money by mistake then you must pay it back.

If not call and sort out asap

Or write a letter.

orc_2

Katzen wrote: »

Hi all,
Anyone know how seriously I should take this threat and any advice on what to do next?
Thanks
K

Good on you for taking the time to try and resolve the issue.

Yes, if the moneys not yours, it will be reclaimed at some point and yes, they can take you to court. Hopefully, they would give you written notice of the day it is to be debited.

Why don't you write them a letter, keeping a copy, saying that they have your permission to take the money from your account.

Please make sure that you have enough money in your account to cover this debit. Otherwise, when it is debited, potentially it could put you in overdraft or beyond your OD limit. That could leave you paying charges etc.

Good luck!

Katzen

Well, that's pretty clear then. Christmas holidays next week so I'll be sure to get on the phone-hopefully they'll actually answer it
Thanks

M_Thomson

Katzen wrote: »

Well, that's pretty clear then. Christmas holidays next week so I'll be sure to get on the phone-hopefully they'll actually answer it
Thanks

And you're a teacher????? Worrying that you have to ask wether the bank can claim money back that isn't yours.

chambta

Katzen wrote: »

Hi all,
just had a letter off my bank saying I owe them money that they paid to me by mistake and they will take me to court if I don't pay. I recieved a letter over a month ago saying they wanted it back. I tried to call but they are only open 8-4 and I'm a teacher so can't usually make calls during these hours. On a couple of occassions where I have called early enough there's been no answer so I've left voicemails. Just tried to call today (before 4) and still got the machine.
Anyone know how seriously I should take this threat and any advice on what to do next?
Thanks
K

You could easily call between 8 & 4 if you wished.

Kavanne

chambta wrote: »

You could easily call between 8 & 4 if you wished.

Haha you've clearly never been a teacher....

McKneff

noh wrote: »

Or write a letter.

and if they have overpaid you, enclose a cheque