Found a big chunk of cash in a cashpoint...

geordiestory

I've just found a very significant amount of cash poking out of a cashpoint in central London - but don't worry, I've no intention of trying to keep it.

Cash machines are supposed to suck back unclaimed cash, but I could see it for about 10 seconds before I reached the machine, and no-one had recently left it.

With lots of unsavoury characters in the area, I collected it and stood by the machine for 15 minutes, to see if anyone returned to look for it. But nothing happened.

I called the bank just now to ask what to do and she said to return to the branch with the money when it reopens, but said "they may not be able to match it with the person, as they may not have the cashpoint records available". That seems bizarre.

So my question is this: I want to return the money to its rightful owner, but I'm concerned about it just ending up in some cashier's pocket/office kitty. What's the best way to return this with the assurance that it has or will actually reach its rightful owner?

wealdroam

geordiestory wrote: »

I've just found a very significant amount of cash poking out of a cashpoint in central London - but don't worry, I've no intention of trying to keep it.

Cash machines are supposed to suck back unclaimed cash, but I could see it for about 10 seconds before I reached the machine, and no-one had recently left it.

With lots of unsavoury characters in the area, I collected it and stood by the machine for 15 minutes, to see if anyone returned to look for it. But nothing happened.

I called the bank just now to ask what to do and she said to return to the branch with the money when it reopens, but said "they may not be able to match it with the person, as they may not have the cashpoint records available". That seems bizarre.

So my question is this: I want to return the money to its rightful owner, but I'm concerned about it just ending up in some cashier's pocket/office kitty. What's the best way to return this with the assurance that it has or will actually reach its rightful owner?

What consumer rights issue do you need help with?

Perhaps this thread would be better placed on the Banking Board.

JReacher1

geordiestory wrote: »

I've just found a very significant amount of cash poking out of a cashpoint in central London - but don't worry, I've no intention of trying to keep it.

Cash machines are supposed to suck back unclaimed cash, but I could see it for about 10 seconds before I reached the machine, and no-one had recently left it.

With lots of unsavoury characters in the area, I collected it and stood by the machine for 15 minutes, to see if anyone returned to look for it. But nothing happened.

I called the bank just now to ask what to do and she said to return to the branch with the money when it reopens, but said "they may not be able to match it with the person, as they may not have the cashpoint records available". That seems bizarre.

So my question is this: I want to return the money to its rightful owner, but I'm concerned about it just ending up in some cashier's pocket/office kitty. What's the best way to return this with the assurance that it has or will actually reach its rightful owner?

I don't think there is anything you can do. If the bank say they might not be able to match it to the person then there nothing else you can do.

They're never going to give you any personal information as to who the owner was.

I would suggest you hand it in to the bank as its not your money so you'll need to be a bit careful. Whether or not it goes back to the original person isn't really your concern. What is your concern is they will have cctv of you taking the money so it would be sensible to hand it in.

Le_Kirk

JReacher1 wrote: »

......... they will have cctv of you taking the money so it would be sensible to hand it in.

............and hopefully then, CCTV of the person before you who had had walked off without their significant bundle of cash.

JReacher1

Le_Kirk wrote: »

............and hopefully then, CCTV of the person before you who had had walked off without their significant bundle of cash.

Yep but it's difficult to match a face with a name.

Although it would amaze me if a bank can't find a customer who withdrew a set amount of money at a certain date from a specific cash machine.

geordiestory

Yeah thanks for all of your sarcasm. Maybe I should have just let one of the scruffy looking scumbags standing nearby grab it and spunk it on drugs, instead of spending 15 minutes waiting for the owner then spending my Saturday afternoon off trying endless numbers to get through to the right person at the bank.

Jamiesmum

Report to police so they've got it on record. Then take the money to the branch like the bank said. Not your problem.

Rappa

geordiestory wrote: »

Yeah thanks for all of your sarcasm. Maybe I should have just let one of the scruffy looking scumbags standing nearby grab it and spunk it on drugs, instead of spending 15 minutes waiting for the owner then spending my Saturday afternoon off trying endless numbers to get through to the right person at the bank.

Oh, the irony! :cool:

naedanger

geordiestory wrote: »

I called the bank just now to ask what to do and she said to return to the branch with the money when it reopens, but said "they may not be able to match it with the person, as they may not have the cashpoint records available". That seems bizarre.

It seems very bizarre to me too. Firstly I would have thought it very likely that someone will have realised they must have forgotten to take their money and will make a claim. But even if they don't I would have thought the bank would have very good cashpoint records, quite possibly including cctv.

So my question is this: I want to return the money to its rightful owner, but I'm concerned about it just ending up in some cashier's pocket/office kitty. What's the best way to return this with the assurance that it has or will actually reach its rightful owner?

My suggestion: go into the bank and ask to speak to a manager. Tell them the situation and ask them how they will ensure the money's owner is found and, if not, what will happen to it. (The chance of a manager pinching the money will be virtually zero. Even if they were crooked, which should be highly unlikely anyway, they would not be stupid enough to risk their job and future over a few hundred pounds.)

[Deleted User]

It should be a simple matter for the Bank to match up the amount returned to any such amount requested at the time the OP found the money. As long as a customer actually reports that they have lost the money, it should easily be returned to them or their account

If the OP truly believes Bank staff would pocket the money, he should ask for a receipt (but I would expect one to be issued regardless).

This thread is hardly anything to do with Consumer Rights, however.

SailorSam

Oh thanks. When i realised i hadn't picked it up i ran back to the bank but as i expected there was nothing there.
If you just pop it in an envelope and drop it in the post, i'd be ever so pleased.