fat fingers internet banking

littlebigjon

On 30th September this year I thought I sent by direct bank transfer online, £100 to a person. That person said they hadn't received it. I checked my bank account and discovered that indeed nothing had left my account. So i did it again the following day and £100 left my account and was received by that person. I thought that was the end of the story.
However on the 30th October another £100 left my bank account unexpectedly to the same payee.
I assume that when i tried to send the money that didn't go through initially, what i actually did was by mistake create a future payment for the 30th October. And it remained unnoticed by me over the following month until it went out, and then i noticed it. Natwest confirmed i had set up that payment on 30th September, otherwise they say effectively there's nothing else they will do as it was created 'legally' by me. The payee are at the present time denying receiving the £100.
Is that it? Have i lost my money or should the bank actually help me in trying to recover it rather than just being unhelpful?
I would be grateful for opinions or advice and indeed both.
I thought i was super savvy but this has taught me a lesson for sure.

jonesMUFCforever

The banks have now a process to help mistaken transfers as in this case.
However it is not fool proof - if the beneficiary refuse to return it they cannot force the person to do so.
Some financial institutions are in the process of changing their terms and conditions of operating their accounts making it easier for them just to reverse the transaction.
You don't mention the 2 banks involved so I can't comment on that.


Last resort is small claims online - just as long as you have proof of the original debt.

GingerFurball_2

NatWest should have a procedure to chase up a payment made in error.

badger09

OP has made 2 payments to someone, whereas he intended to make only 1.

I'm not sure the new process for dealing with payments made in error would cover cases like this.

If I were to make 2 payments into, for example, my husband's account - what is to prevent me changing my mind, and later saying to the bank that one of those payments was made in error

I think it will be up to OP to reclaim the £100 from the payee -after all he knows who that payee is.

SailorSam

This is something they've spoken about several times recently on R4 Moneybox, and there have been people on the programme who have got money back, but not without a fight.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04kzz60

littlebigjon

Thanks everyone.
I am going to contact my bank Natwest again and let you know the outcome. Communication has dried up between me and the payee. Part of me believes he is as confused as i was at first, therefore doesn't actually believe i have sent an extra payment. (The other part of me believes he can't be bothered to check). Thankfully it's 'only' £100. Definitely a lesson learned, thankfully at not too great a cost.

Aquamania

littlebigjon wrote: »

On 30th September this year I thought I sent by direct bank transfer online, £100 to a person. That person said they hadn't received it. I checked my bank account and discovered that indeed nothing had left my account. So i did it again the following day and £100 left my account and was received by that person. I thought that was the end of the story.
However on the 30th October another £100 left my bank account unexpectedly to the same payee.
I assume that when i tried to send the money that didn't go through initially, what i actually did was by mistake create a future payment for the 30th October. And it remained unnoticed by me over the following month until it went out, and then i noticed it. Natwest confirmed i had set up that payment on 30th September, otherwise they say effectively there's nothing else they will do as it was created 'legally' by me. The payee are at the present time denying receiving the £100.
Is that it? Have i lost my money or should the bank actually help me in trying to recover it rather than just being unhelpful?
I would be grateful for opinions or advice and indeed both.
I thought i was super savvy but this has taught me a lesson for sure.

First talk to your bank, who may or may not be able to assist you directly as you did authorise both payments, and payments were sent to the intended recipient.

If no joy, demand the refund from the recipient and threaten/take legal action against them if necessary. They may deny having received the payment twice, but you have (or can easily obtain) such proof.

Aquamania

littlebigjon wrote: »

...Thankfully it's 'only' £100...

Well if you are prepared to give away your money, can you send me a ton too please? :cool:

littlebigjon

Official reply verbatim from the contact at my bank Natwest;

"I have contacted our Operations Support team who have advised me that as the additional payment of £100 has been sent to the correct sort code and account number and it was a payment authorised by yourself they are unable to help in this instance in retrieving the funds.

I am really sorry that I am unable to assist further and hope you can resolve this directly with the beneficiary."

Thankfully i did resolve this last night with the beneficiary after 2 weeks of prodding and poking!