URGENT- Re: Mistaken online BACS payment

The_Baroness

Hi

I've done something really stupid.

I had a large bill to pay for my business. Around 10% of total annual turnover.

I accidently paid it online to the wrong account.

It so happens that the (mistaken) recipient has reason to dislike me and to be uncooperative. I have the contact details of the mistaken recipient and all other details.

The payment was made this morning by BACS online. My account balance has decreased by the full amount but it is not appearing in my list of transactions made so I am not sure whether I can stop it.

The bank concerned, Santander does not open until 8 am on Monday, so I can't contact them

If I can't get the money back, my business is likely to collapse.

What should I do?

Lokolo

Contact the person and ask him to kindly give the money back when it comes through.

catieeb06

How early was the payment made? And was it done via a bill payment? If its no more than 2 or 3 hours call up Santander (assuming thats the bank it was made from) and just ask them to reverse it. They can do it.

AnonymousForObviousReason

Why don't you phone them up using the telephone banking? I know some transactions can be stopped.

Catieeb06 you beat me to it, I did search for a number but couldn't find it from their site. Best I could find was
Managing your account 08459 724 724*
7am-11pm Mon-Sat, 9am-6pm Sun

Lokolo

catieeb06 wrote: »

How early was the payment made? And was it done via a bill payment? If its no more than 2 or 3 hours call up Santander (assuming thats the bank it was made from) and just ask them to reverse it. They can do it.

Santander phone lines aren't open on Sunday... hence why the OP said he can't contact them until 8am tomorrow

[edit]

I lie, I was looking at the General Enquiries, they're open for some lines:

http://www.santander.co.uk/csgs/Satellite?appID=abbey.internet.Abbeycom&c=Page&canal=CABBEYCOM&cid=1210607130037&empr=Abbeycom&leng=en_GB&pagename=Abbeycom%2FPage%2FWC_ACOM_TemplateA2

rb10

From http://www.santander.co.uk/csgs/Satellite?appID=abbey.internet.Abbeycom&canal=CABBEYCOM&cid=1210607111045&empr=Abbeycom&leng=en_GB&pagename=Abbeycom/Page/WC_ACOM_TemplateA2:

Managing your account

08459 724 724*

7am-11pm Mon-Sat, 9am-6pm Sun

If it was sent as a BACS payment (and not as a Faster Payment) then it will not leave Santander until Monday morning, so can certainly be stopped if you phone them NOW.

Lokolo

rb10 wrote: »

From http://www.santander.co.uk/csgs/Satellite?appID=abbey.internet.Abbeycom&canal=CABBEYCOM&cid=1210607111045&empr=Abbeycom&leng=en_GB&pagename=Abbeycom/Page/WC_ACOM_TemplateA2:



If it was sent as a BACS payment (and not as a Faster Payment) then it will not leave Santander until Monday morning, so can certainly be stopped if you phone them NOW.

Remove the : from the end of you link

AnonymousForObviousReason

Lokolo wrote: »

Santander phone lines aren't open on Sunday... hence why the OP said he can't contact them until 8am tomorrow

[edit]

I lie, I was looking at the General Enquiries, they're open for some lines:

http://www.santander.co.uk/csgs/Satellite?appID=abbey.internet.Abbeycom&c=Page&canal=CABBEYCOM&cid=1210607130037&empr=Abbeycom&leng=en_GB&pagename=Abbeycom%2FPage%2FWC_ACOM_TemplateA2

You may have been confused by them being of no use on a Sunday. But that generally is now any day ending in a "Y"

The_Baroness

Hi guys

Success!

And if anyone says Santander is no help on any day. You are *SO* wrong!

We missed the first deadline, as all our paperwork gives numbers which do not work on a Sunday. So huge thanks to everyone who posted the Sunday number.

Eventually I was put through to their e-commerce department and the operator there was unable to cancel the payment on his screen. I guess if we had made contact within an hour or two, that would have been possible.

Instead, he put in a recall request. This means the money stays in inter-bank limbo for a few days, but does not reach the (mistaken) recipient's account and will be (should be?) restored to our account later this week.

Huge thanks to you guys over this one. Maybe we should have thought of all the options, but heck, when it's that much money, your heart goes a bit funny and that sick feeling in your stomach makes your brain go to jelly.

Thanks once more

All praise to Martin and his team of money savers

zppp

I must say that is the good thing about BACs vs FP

I am pleased for you Baroness :-)

le_loup

The_Baroness wrote: »

All praise to Martin and his team of money savers

No. All praise to helpful people who happen to want to help out of the goodness of their hearts.
Martin counts his money on a Sunday!