Won 1800 GBP, at at least I thought I had!

Rexxy

Hello,

In mid August I returned from holiday to find a cheque for 1800GBP addressed to me from the National Magazine company,there was no letter with the cheque just a remittance advice slip but presumed I must have won a competition. It had my address, my correct full name and so I put in the bank.

I've just returned from a work trip today to find 2 letters asking for the return of the money as it was sent in error, the 2nd one claiming that if I didn't return the money within 7 days from the date on the letter (16th September) they would start legal proceedings. I've only been away since the 14th September and the 1st letter which was dated 7th September hadn't arrived before I left.

I presume I'm going to have to return the money as its been sent in error & doesn't appear to be mine. Obviously I'm really disappointed as I thought I'd won, the winning of a comp was the only way I could think that they would have my details & I do enter a lot

I'm away again overseas from Monday morning & am going to have to order a new cheque book before returning the cash, unless someone is in the office at the company tomorrow or I can leave a message they're going to think i'm ignoring their requests.

Has this happened to anyone before and does anyone have any advice? I'm quite alarmed by the treat of legal action.

Thanks

davross

If it was me I would speak to a solicitor before returning the money.

blackmidnight

how do they send a cheque for that amount to a person in error?! you cashed it in good faith - what would they do if you had spent the money? I would get further advice as to whether you have to pay it all back in one go etc... but i don't actually know anything about the legal side of all of this! maybe contact them and say you are seeking legal advice before returning the money or something? hope you get something sorted

surfboard2

Hi,

I really can't believe something like this has happened. This is ridiculous. I would definitely seek legal advice too. Maybe ask on another part of this site or something?

mrschuck

Yeah its therre error xid seek legal advice xhave u spent the money yet xxx

katieandlee

Oh that's an awful situation. My gut instinct is that you wouldn't have to give them the money back, it's their error, with your name, address etc so you weren't meant to know that this wasn't for you! Seek some legal advise, what about spaeking to citizens advice?! Write to the company to tell them you're seeking further legal advice. Hope you get it sorted x

Rexxy

Thankfully I haven't spent it, I'm saving up for a holiday to Oz at Christmas so was going to put it towards that. Although, I probably have bought a couple of small treat things that I wouldn't normally have done just because I've been on a tight budget all year to save for the holiday. Thanks for your advice so far, I might try to post on another forum thread to see if experts have advice.

I don't have a solicitor & worried about this ending up costing me money.

mrschuck

yeah id ring citizens advice xx

kremmen

Being a cynical type that I am can I assume that the cheque HAS cleared the system and you do actually have the money in your account?

Paul

mrschuck

if they knew it was a error they could have cancelled the cheque themselves x

MsBlonde

mrschuck wrote: »

if hey knew it was a error they could have cancelled the cheque themselves x

Exactly, your name your address, their problem. I'd personally call their bluff and let them "start legal proceedings" see how far they get with that in court.