Paypal sent money to the incorrect sort code, transaction did not bounce back!

kingsandy

Hi guys I was wondering if anybody could help me. Here's a short [long] bit of history:–

About ten months ago I sold an item on eBay for around £500. After I had sent the item and the transaction had cleared into my Paypal account I then attempted to transfer the funds into my personal bank account.

2-3 days later I check to see if the funds had been received. They had not. Worried I traced back through the transaction steps and discovered that, whether by human error, or malicious means the sort code had been incorrectly. The final 2 digits were incorrect.

To summarize my name and account number were fine but the sort code was slightly off. Worried I contacted paypal and they assured me that if the sort code was incorrect the transfer would come back to me.

A month past and the transfer was "completed" according to Paypal but I never received the money and and the transaction did not bounce back.

I contacted Paypal and asked them to re-call the payment as I was advised it may be in an "suspend account". After having to fax them my bank statements, receiving no response I contacted them again.

Apparently they had not received my bank statements and the case had been closed. Angrily I forced them to re-open the case and re-sent them my statements. Confirmation that they had recieved them this time. Ok, I thought, we are on our way.

A month past, no response or update. Phoned them again. The case had been closed as they "Had not recieved a response from HSBC in a suitable amount of time" Thanks for telling me. Re-open the case now or I will get even angrier! [Hulking out a bit] The customer service agaent assured me she would get in contact with me every 3 days

No word. Ten months since the initial !!!!-up. I phoned again. The case had be closed due to a non-response from HSBC in a suitable time. "You were sent an e-mail sir"

umm… looking at my inbox and trash folders now – nope no email sent advising me of the situation. Why was I not contacted?

"Well according to my notes and e-mail was sent" …lies

Apparently the e-mail stated that I was to contact HSBC myself and ask for a trace to be run.

So I phoned my bank. Apparently no attempts have been made by Paypal to contact HSBC in this matter. You cannot initiate the trace, sir, that will have to be done by Paypal, they transferred the money.

So I then rang paypal again and informed them of the situation. Their trace dept will send another request yada yada yada…

This all seems to just be going round in circles, what should be my next move. Legal action? Keep being dicked around and hope someone may get their act together? Or have I lost my money and just accept it?

Sorry for the long post but I have no idea what I should do.

soolin

Firistly, they only send it to the bank account you give them, so the error is yours unfortunately. If the sort code was a legitimate sort code and there was someone with the same account number at that bank then they have your money, so it won't bounce back.

You may have to do some work yourself, see if the sort code is legit for a start and see what bank it goes to.

cyberbob

Why has it taken 10 months to chase this up? If the money was sent to a valid sort code and account number there is nothing you can really do.

FRUIT_SALAD

cyberbob wrote: »

Why has it taken 10 months to chase this up?

I was thinking that, why is it always a month at a time? why haven't you been on you bank and paypals case otherday everyday. £500 is a lot of money!

Did you ring up after the first three days when they said they would call but didnt?

Hope you get this sorted and without sounding horrible (and i don't mean too!) this experience should tell you to keep on top of things from now on!

kingsandy

I know it is 10 months. And I have been chasing it up alot but I keep getting the same responses.

The sort code is valid, but HSBC only have unique account numbers according to the customer service rep so it is impossible for it to have gone to anyone else.

Yes I did ring up after the first 3 days and they were very apologetic and then promptly told me it can take up to a month to recieve a reply from the bank – So within the month I ring up again and I find out they have closed the case without consulting me due to HSBC not replying in time.

soolin

I think as paypal have sent it where you asked them to your next plan of action will be to start on HSBC. Much as many people dislike paypal, I think in this instance apart from maybe allowing this to go on a bit too long, they have really done all they can.

You had the payment sent to the wrong account, so you need to now tackle HSBC to help you.