Possible bank error, but tried to tell them

polarization

any_help_please wrote: »

Yes, I think you're pretty much thinking along the same lines as I was.

Barclays was -£500.
HSBC was at £0

HSBC was all of a sudden at +£500 after this payment went in.

Barclays say my account there was STILL -£500 after the mystery payment so it couldn't have come from them.

I paid Barclays with this £500, so now HSBC and Barclays are both £0 and Barclays have said they would send a letter confirming.

Both Barclays and HSBC say the money didn't come from them and both are happy with the balance of my accounts.

You see my confusion with this mystery money? Both banks categorically deny it came from them, even after my trying to tell both of them I think they made a mistake.

I would keep all the correspondence and keep a record of the time sate and who you spoke to and a few comment on the matter and their response.

I have another issues with co-op bank regarding the pay account. I cancelled the account and did not check the online banking as all is closed. After a year or so I received a statment from them saying I owe them GBP300ish fee. I called them with all the information, they admitted they did it wrong and refund me straight away. So, it is good to keep a record for these incident to protect yourself.

Caladan

I'd send a letter to both Barclays and HSBC stating that following several conversations with them you have been informed by both parties that there has been no error made on either side and that that the Barclays overdraft is settled. Also state that on this basis you are putting the matter to rest and relying on the information they have given you as per your phone calls on xyz days.

If something crops up in the banks internal accounting and someone suddenly chases you for the money then you can refer to that letter and state that you feel it is unreasonable for them to chase you for the funds now given you made every attempt to clear up the issue when you first came across it.

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Usually I am against people trying to keep funds that they are not entitled to, but you appear to have acted in good faith throughout. If the banks involved can't sort it out between themselves and have categorically stated there's no problem then in my opinion it would not by TCF (Treating customers fairly) to hound you for it later. I suspect the Financial Ombudsman Service would agree should it come to that.

Enjoy your windfall! But as others have said - Keep a similar amount in savings if you can just in case.