Wages paid into wrong account - How to get it back?

pimento

My son has just finished a Christmas temp job with Asda and payday (for the first half of his wages) was the 17th of December (with the rest beoing paid January 14th). He got a payslip but no money appeared in his bank account. It transpired that Asda had the sort code wrong by one digit (the account number was corrrect).

At first, they said "No problem, we'll raise you a cheque" but now they are saying "You must chase it with your bank".

My son called his bank today (HSBC) and they said they couldn't tell him if his wages had gone into a different account and cited the Data Protection Act to him and referred him back to Asda, who have referred him back to his bank again.

Anyone have any advice on what he should do next? It's a few days before Christmas and I can see myself buying my own present...

Lokolo

Do you know what the sort code was?

http://www.postcodeanywhere.co.uk/demos/bankvalidator.aspx

cte1111

Did he give them the wrong sort code or was it an error with the payroll dept at Asda? If it was his error then I think it will be a long process to get the money back.

If it was their error, then they should be paying him again using the right details or by cheque as they suggested. He has a contract presumably and they need to pay him according to that contract. If they have made an administrative error then it is their problem to chase up where the money is.

pimento

Ah, someone up there likes me. The (mistaken) sort code is legit (HSBC in St Helens Merseyside) but there's no account of my son's number at that branch.

I'm assuming that makes getting his money simpler?

Shoud he be pursuing Asda or HSBC?

cte1111

Asda, the money will bounce back to them eventually. The bank won't do anything.

AdelleSi

Hi

Has your son any documentation to prove he provided the correct sort code for the bank; he most likley signed a form with his details when he started? I would advise your son takes this documentation if possible to the HR specialist at the Asda branch and request them to get there bank to complete a BACS tranfer (basically a paper search to find the funds). Even if this is not Asda fault they need to suppport your son as he is an employee and should be pro active to rectify this situation.

Good luck, hope it works out.

pimento

cte1111 wrote: »

Did he give them the wrong sort code or was it an error with the payroll dept at Asda? If it was his error then I think it will be a long process to get the money back.

If it was their error, then they should be paying him again using the right details or by cheque as they suggested. He has a contract presumably and they need to pay him according to that contract. If they have made an administrative error then it is their problem to chase up where the money is.

He says he gave them the right code. However, his handwriting is atrocious (dispraxia). If there was any clarification needed by the payroll clerk, they should have sought it.
No court in the land would convict on the evidence...;)

Lokolo

pimento wrote: »

Ah, someone up there likes me. The (mistaken) sort code is legit (HSBC in St Helens Merseyside) but there's no account of my son's number at that branch.

I'm assuming that makes getting his money simpler?

Shoud he be pursuing Asda or HSBC?

Yes the bank can't do anything as the money will bounce back.

You should tell this to Asda, maybe get proof. Write to that branch and ask for confirmation that the account does not exist (explain why).

It might be easier if he goes into your local branch, talk to someone about it to get written proof. Display this to HR Asda

davidgmmafan

If there's no account no the funds should've bounced back, not sure of the timescale.

pimento

AdelleSi wrote: »

Hi

Has your son any documentation to prove he provided the correct sort code for the bank; he most likley signed a form with his details when he started? I would advise your son takes this documentation if possible to the HR specialist at the Asda branch and request them to get there bank to complete a BACS tranfer (basically a paper search to find the funds). Even if this is not Asda fault they need to suppport your son as he is an employee and should be pro active to rectify this situation.

Good luck, hope it works out.

The problem is that the Asda is in Hampshire (where he attends university) and he was collected by us today and brought home for Christmas in Essex. He's having to deal with Asda by telephone.

My mum (who is ex-HSBC staff) will go into son's branch here in Essex tomorrow with son and speak to a member of staff for advce.

Luckily, we're in the position to sub him until it gets sorted out, but it would be a problem if he really needed the money (for rent, for example).

LillythePink

I would be chasing Asda for the money as well - the bank should return the payment to the originator (Asda).

Who made the mistake - your son or them? If it was your son, then he will have to wait to see what Asda say/do etc but if it was them who made the mistake, then they should be correcting it by giving him his money regardless of the fact that they haven't received it back as yet.