Santander Refund Letter

BugSmurf

Hello All,

I've just received a letter from Santander advising that they have recently reviewed my personal bank account and found that overpayments made have put it in credit.

According to the letter they want to refund me around £2K when I sign and return the form attached to it.

Obviously I'm extremely dubious that it's a phishing letter as whilst I do have a Santander account, its been inactive for at least 6 years and as far as I am aware, empty.

No way am I going to sign and return this before going in to a branch to check, but wanted to see what you think?

The prepaid envelope address checks out for their PPI team, but a Google on the phone number brings up no official results. Also comes from their 'PBR Team' which brings up very few results.

So what do you think? Scam or have I got a bonus 2K?

Cheers

Smurf

robatwork

I "think" it's genuine, but you've given nothing to go on. For expert advice (and there are Santander employees around here) scan it in, redact your details, store it online, and post a link to it (you will have to break the link a bit as you're new).

Or type it in here, include their address and phone number, and who signed it.

eskbanker

BugSmurf wrote: »

I've just received a letter from Santander advising that they have recently reviewed my personal bank account and found that overpayments made have put it in credit.

According to the letter they want to refund me around £2K when I sign and return the form attached to it.

I don't understand this - surely if overpayments had been made that put a bank account in credit then they're overpayments into the account and if they're mistaken then they'd be looking for you to refund them?

Zanderman

BugSmurf wrote: »

So what do you think? Scam or have I got a bonus 2K?

Impossible to say, as your post doesn't add up.

What are these 'overpayments'?

And why, if they're in your account do they want to refund you?

Refund you for what? If the money's in your account you already have it.

You need to give more info if you want to know if this is a scam or not. The info you've given doesn't make any sense at all.

EssexExile

Phone Santander & ask them would be my first move, using their published number not the one in the letter.

pmduk

Just make sure you call them on a known Santander number, ie not one contained in the letter.

BugSmurf

Thanks for the comments so far. I have phoned Santander and they were really cagey when I asked who the 'PBR Team' were. They said I could only talk to them when they're open.

And if you Google 'Santander Refund Letter' the first result is for someone who had exactly the same thing in Feb 16, but with no conclusion.

Link to redacted letter: h**ps://imgur.com/gallery/3y0yF

Thanks you again.

Smurf

eskbanker

Re the phone number on the letter - according to http://www.unknownphone.com/search.php?num=08007567549:

This number is reported to be from Santander. Not sure who wrote the previous comment but suspect one of the scammers. Got a letter telling me I was due outstanding fees from my Santander account. Guy called Stuart Smith claiming to be Head of Historical Complaints. I have never, ever had an account with Santander. The headed notepaper looks photocopied or scanned. BE WARNED!!

antrobus

BugSmurf wrote: »

Thanks for the comments so far. I have phoned Santander and they were really cagey when I asked who the 'PBR Team' were. They said I could only talk to them when they're open. ..

PBR = Past Business Review

Here's the chap who claims to run it. Although he can't spell 'business'.:)
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/umar-aziz-7b6a0219

Goodness knows what it actually does, but it's clearly some kind of 'compliance'.

BugSmurf

Got to admit, their letter did appear to be scanned or run off a cheap printer which is what made me more suspicious. And the fact they are voluntarily offering me money. That's not like a bank!

djpailo

BugSmurf wrote: »

Got to admit, their letter did appear to be scanned or run off a cheap printer which is what made me more suspicious. And the fact they are voluntarily offering me money. That's not like a bank!

In this case it seems like a scam, but banks can and do offer refunds if they find an error. Indeed, Santander automatically refunded accounts for not paying interest a while back.