returning a bank transfer

mummy_jonno

A day or so ago I got a transfer into my account from someone I don't know. I've not sold anything and taken it as payment so I can only assume that it's been done by mistake.

Does anyone know if I can call the bank and ask them to return the payment to sender?

A little worried about it and I'd just rather it went to where it came from.

Thanks in advance.

mummy_jonno

It was a person not a company - also I'm with Natwest if that make's any difference.

Thanks

mgdavid

I don't think the bank will do what you suggest; I think you need to sit on it until somebody spots the mistake and asks for it back.

innovate

If you are really sure you should not have received the payment (was it a refund? A cashback? A mate repaying a loan?, etc), you should immediately notify Natwest that you do not wish to keep the money and that they should remove it from your account. That way, you will remove yourself from any associations with money laundering, and reduce the risk of having your account closed (see the threads about "my bank closed my account")

mummy_jonno

innovate wrote: »

If you are really sure you should not have received the payment (was it a refund? A cashback? A mate repaying a loan?, etc), you should immediately notify Natwest that you do not wish to keep the money and that they should remove it from your account. That way, you will remove yourself from any associations with money laundering, and reduce the risk of having your account closed (see the threads about "my bank closed my account")

Nope none of thee above. There is no payment explanation entered. It's literally a payment from someone I've never even heard of.

I will call them first thing as I'd really rather not wait for someone else to notice. It could take forever. To top that off they went into my savings account that is attached to my main account too which is a bit weird x

innovate

mummy_jonno wrote: »

To top that off they went into my savings account that is attachedv to my main account too which is a bit weird x

Could be as simple as somebody who paid you before mistakingly sent more money to you. They'll be greatful if you return the money.

Sending money to a random bank account isn't easy. If you try to make a faster payment to a non-existent bank account, you get an error message. Bank account numbers aren't consecutive, so just typing one wrong digit in the account number and/or sort code is most unlikely to hit an existing account. But the 1-in-a-million combination could have been hit by someone.

But as I said, if you are certain the money is not destined for you, tell Natwest and ask them to move the money out of your account.

mgdavid

please let us know how you get on.

mummy_jonno

Nope I am pretty certain it's not for me. The account itself is only 2 months old so all the transactions are fairly new and fresh.

Will ask them in the morning, they should have some form of sorting this "just incase" it happens.

Will let you know how I get on x

jonesMUFCforever

mummy_jonno wrote: »

Nope I am pretty certain it's not for me. The account itself is only 2 months old so all the transactions are fairly new and fresh.

Will ask them in the morning, they should have some form of sorting this "just incase" it happens.

Will let you know how I get on x

Just be careful if you receive an e-mail or phone call asking for the money to be returned - normally they will say keep £x for your trouble.
This is a very common scam.
If it is fraudelent the BANK will take it back but it will be in your best interest if you tell them that the money is not yours before then.

A lot of threads on here at the moment about banks closing accounts for no reason. You don't want to be the next one.

stclair

I doubt the bank will remove the money on your instruction.

You would be better off just putting the money into a saving account until someone comes forward for it.

innovate

stclair wrote: »

I doubt the bank will remove the money on your instruction.

You would be better off just putting the money into a saving account until someone comes forward for it.

I can't believe that you, as a bank employee, would suggest the OP should touch the money. Moving it into a savings account could be construed as being part of a potential fraud.

Of course the bank will remove the money if you ask them - and if they don't, go to the FOS and the Press. It is totally inconceivable that a bank would force a customer to keep what could be fraudulent money.