Payment created on-line and sent using wrong sort code - help plz

herewegoagain2010

I'm hoping someone might be able to give me some advice please. We moved into our new home and n power supplies the gas and electric. I change supplier and n power sent me the final bill. I created 2 on-line payments for £13.94 and £42.14 to finalise and close the account. A few weeks late n power contacted us to say they'd not received them. Basically, I'd used the sort code 62-30-06 instead of 62-30-09, but the account was correct. It was a stupid mistake, but I'm struggling to get the money back. The halifax have said it's not their responsibility and to contact npower. Npower say it's not their sort code, so they can't do anything. Has anyone got any advice how to sort this stupid mistake out?

Thanks in advance.

dunstonh

Has anyone got any advice how to sort this stupid mistake out?

First thing is to be prepared to write off this money. Given the timescale that has passed it is unlikely you will get the money back. If the account number you used was invalid it would have been returned and back in your account within about a week or two.

So, now you are reliant on the person that has the money in their account being honest. Dont hold your breath.

The halifax have said it's not their responsibility and to contact npower. Npower say it's not their sort code, so they can't do anything.

The best Halifax can do is contact the bank that received the money and ask them to forward a letter to that account holder requesting the money back. Npower cant do a thing. Whilst the person that has the money has no legal right to it. The bank cannot take the money from their account and cannot identify the person to you. So, you cant take action against someone who you cant identify.

The bottom line is that if you are unlucky enough to have found and account/sort code that is valid and in force then you are reliant on the goodwill of that person.

herewegoagain2010

Thanks for your reply, I thought as much. I'll try the halifax again and send the letter. I'd used Npower my surname postcode and house number as the sender's ref, so it's obvious it's not theirs. It might come back one day, if not thankfully it was only £55!

Lokolo

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

You could also try this to see if it exists.

herewegoagain2010

I've tried that Lokolo and it said it was a natwest account, so called them and they said it was linked with Santander. It belongs to a Santander Consumer PLC according to Natwest, but neither bank can help. I keep going around in circles, so will try Halifax one more time. It's frustrating that the money is sat somewhere, but who knows where? I'm going to have to put it down to a lesson in life....check, double check and let your hubby pay!

Lokolo

If it's a Natwest account, send a letter into them. Or ask Halifax to do it. Halifax can't order the money back through their systems, its a matter for Natwest to deal with.

Just explain the situation, in a letter, you meant to go to this payment, made an error and wish to recoup the lost money.

glider3560

npower use the account number 00000000, which (in)conveniently validates with any sort code.

Both sort codes appear to be used by companies to clear payments from customers, so it is very likely 0000000 will exist on the 06 sort code.
Without knowing which company has this sort code, it is unlikely you'll get the money back.

coolesticeking

I know this is a bit off-topic but I know for example the government and some companies can reverse credits?

It does seem what has been said is correct, but if some can do a reversal then why can't the bank even if they charged for the service?

dunstonh

It does seem what has been said is correct, but if some can do a reversal then why can't the bank even if they charged for the service?

Because people who receive money from others would never know if the money they have received is going to be clawed back. The reasons for going for a recall outside of the normal cycle are limited to prevent abuse.

herewegoagain2010

Blimey...an afternoon on the phone and some success at last. I spoke to the Halifax again to the payent error dept and they said there's nothing they could do or help, so I asked to speak to a manager and explained I was feeling a little fobbed off and asked the normal procedure for finding lost payments. I explained I knew it was my fault, but there shoud surely be a way. She let it slip that they can do a audit trail, but it costs £25 and they wouldn't be prepared to do it for such a small amount. It's great to see that the Halifax can write off £55 of my money as a small amount even though I'd pay the £25. Another brick wall.

With nothing else to lose I tried Santander complaints just to see if there was anything they do with the receiving account and the answer has nothing. The guy was so helpful when I told him the full story and he told me to complain to the Halifax.

I called the Halifax again and re-told the story and the customer service was brillant. At first she said they'd credit the £25 and £5 call and do the audit. After being on the phone for ages the line went dead. I thought that was it, but she called me back about half an hour later. The halifax admit they could have dealt with it better and because the advice they've give has meant it's now too late to chase the payment in the correct matter, they've offered to refund the two payments themselves and £5 for my calls. I admit it was my fault but the whole situation has been a nightare trying to sort it out. Well done Halifax, you've surpassed my expectations!