Friend of a friend accidentally paid 700 into my old account

skadooshka

I have a bank account which I have left neglected for over a year or two now. The account didn't have an overdraft but somehow the bank still let me go overdrawn by a very small amount (~20). I didn't check it for several months after this as I was using a different account, but when I did come to check it to my surprise I noticed they had piled on a load of charges. I continued to leave the account unchecked after this.

Then today I get an email saying a friend of a friend had accidentally paid his rent money to me (somehow) and it's been paid into the old account, which as stated above is now in unauthorised overdraft far exceeding what he has paid. He had my details as he transferred me money before.

I can't possibly afford to pay off the overdraft right now and am reluctant to anyway since the charges seem so unfair.

How to proceed? Thanks.

tl;dr friend of a friend who I last saw 3 years ago has accidentally paid his rent money into an account of mine that is in unauthorised overdraft far exceeding the amount he sent.

Candyapple

I'm guessing it would be treated the same way as if this 'friend of a friend' had paid the money into a stranger's account - they would need to speak to their bank to see if they can recall the funds.

agrinnall

I can't see the money coming back, it was paid to an account owned by you, even though it wasn't the one you would have wanted, and the bank will certainly use the money to reduce your overdraft. About the only way they would consider returning it is if you pay off the full amount of the overdraft now, but as you say you refuse to do that I reckon you're stumped. Take it as a lesson not to bury your head in the sand and to deal with your debts in future.

thriftylass

He should've noticed by now. And contacted the bank. You should do the same as it is not your money. I just had £100 paid accidentally paid into one of my saver accounts and I contacted the bank who said definitely don't use it and wait till someone notice or get back to us. It's not my money and don't want to get caught spending it if it was an honest mistake. However, I don't think they can force you to give it back, as you'd have to go 700 into the black before paying it back effectively costing you £700 or more.

Little extract from the article below:

"So whether you get the money back and how quickly depends on whether the person who wrongly receives the money admits that it is not rightfully theirs. Further complications can arise if the recipient has spent the money, as the bank cannot take money out of their account if it'd cause them to enter their overdraft."

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/send-money-wrong-account

Candyapple

I still don't get how 3 years this person managed to select your name from their list of payees and send you a significant amount of money (rent) without even checking at the second stage of confirmation where most banks ask you to confirm the details before paying, that they didn't spot the incorrect payee name (especially given the large sum of money involved). Also, I thought most people paid their rent either by standing order or direct debit. Sounds very suspicious.

Who sent you the email telling you that this friend of a friend had paid money to your account?

Have you checked the bank account balance yourself since to confirm whether it's true or not?

lewishardwick

So you have knowingly ignored a bank account that has gone into an unauthorised overdraft, been slapped with fees and you're still ignoring it?!

It's a perfectly valid bank account so no way will you get the money back if they've used it to clear your debt.

Perhaps you should head over to Clearscore or Noddle to see if this has affected your credit rating.

The fact that you've allowed a £20 overdraft spiral to over £700?! WOW!

molerat

It doesn't help that banks like RBS do not allow you to delete payees. My son always has to check which of my account number he has to pay money into because he cannot delete the old one.

teddysmum

The overdraft won't go away, so do something now.


Perhaps the person will get his money back if it wasn't meant for you, but if it was and just went to the wrong account, then the bank has a right to keep it to service the mounting debt.

TheShape

skadooshka wrote: »

The account didn't have an overdraft but somehow the bank still let me go overdrawn...

This is something I hear regularly. It seems that a lot of people don't understand how bank accounts and overdrafts work.

bigadaj

Could be worse, try doing this in much of the Middle East and you'd end up in jail (unauthorised overdraft that is, not the payment).

skadooshka

Candyapple wrote: »

I still don't get how 3 years this person managed to select your name from their list of payees and send you a significant amount of money (rent) without even checking at the second stage of confirmation where most banks ask you to confirm the details before paying, that they didn't spot the incorrect payee name (especially given the large sum of money involved). Also, I thought most people paid their rent either by standing order or direct debit. Sounds very suspicious.

Yes it is indeed very suspicious, and baffling.

Candyapple wrote: »

Who sent you the email telling you that this friend of a friend had paid money to your account?

Both. Friend emailed me to say he'd given the guy my email.

Candyapple wrote: »

Have you checked the bank account balance yourself since to confirm whether it's true or not?

Would have to go to a branch.

agrinnall wrote: »

Take it as a lesson not to bury your head in the sand and to deal with your debts in future.

Certainly will