What is the law if a supplier sends me a refund in error

mawallace

What is the law if a supplier sends me a refund in error and I keep quiet?

does it change if it is a businss debt or a personal debt?

skylight

A refund in error that is kept is stealing. You would be a thief.

An error is an error and should be treated as such. And it makes no difference if its a business or personal; once the error is discovered you will be chased for its return and all that it entails (debt collectors, possible court action etc). There is also the possibility you could be prosecuted for theft on top.

Then there is the moral aspect. If you paid money to someone in error, you woud expect it back. There is the potential that the person who made the error could lose their job because of it and so on.

Pay it back. Its not yours (or your companys) and it will make you feel better knowing you have done so.

somethingcorporate

If you have had the goods and not paid for them then you still owe for them.

They have 6 years to seek the money from you.

I do not think it makes a difference if it is a personal or business debt.

ThumbRemote

skylight wrote: »

once the error is discovered you will be chased for its return and all that it entails (debt collectors, possible court action etc). There is also the possibility you could be prosecuted for theft on top.

Thats a rather melodramatic description.

What's more likely to happen - if they notice - is they will try to take payment automatically, eg using any card details you'd given them before. If that fails, they'll get in contact and ask you to pay.

Only then will they try to force you to pay.

Quentin

skylight wrote: »

Then there is the moral aspect. If you paid money to someone in error, you woud expect it back. There is the potential that the person who made the error could lose their job because of it and so on.

The "moral" aspect is totally irrelevant, and not what the OP came here for!

The OP can safely hang on and see if they spot the error.

If they don't, then this is an unsolicited bonus!

bris

It's a civil matter and cetainly not theft, the OP didn't steal anything. That said they still have the right to it back.