Unsolicited financial gift from former Credit card company

Emmia

is it something like a PPI payment that you've not had a letter about yet? I received a 4 figure sum from Barclaycard (following a PPI claim) about a week before the letter notifying me of this appeared - but they were able to clarify that is what it was for, when I called them to check. 

I'd call and ask. 

bris

It is a crime to knowingly withhold wrongful credit. To clear it up one way or the other you need to speak to them to find out why it was credited.

No it's not a gift and no court would accept that as a defence, and you can't possibly seriously think that, can you?

Highland76

Twincarb said:

The company concerned is an app only provider which used to be free and then started charging, at which point I paid off my balance and cancelled the card. 

Who is the provider? Because I'm not aware of any CC company (well known at least) charging customers to use their smartphone app. It's ok, you won't get into trouble if you name the CC company 😂

MalMonroe

It's crazy to receive unexpected money from any company without phoning to find out what it is. That's not called making unsolicited phone calls, it's called doing the right thing.

I've also been a model customer with credit card companies before, never was rewarded with a grand! But wish I had been.  Honesty is always the best policy, even if they tell you it isn't a mistake and you can keep it. 

You know the right thing to do, and so do we.

sourcrates

The crucial thing is that if it's a gift, with no agreement to repay the money, you can keep it quiet legally.

Gerry1

Probably unlikely, but you need to consider whether it's part of a money laundering operation or suchlike.  You might soon get a communication saying that the transfer was made in error and asking for it to be retuned via a different route.

It's just not wise to be sitting on a sum of money with such a strange provenance.

Twincarb

Highland76 said:

Twincarb said:

The company concerned is an app only provider which used to be free and then started charging, at which point I paid off my balance and cancelled the card. 

Who is the provider? Because I'm not aware of any CC company (well known at least) charging customers to use their smartphone app. It's ok, you won't get into trouble if you name the CC company 😂

The app isn't paid for they now charge for having a CC with them.

Twincarb

bris said:

It is a crime to knowingly withhold wrongful credit. To clear it up one way or the other you need to speak to them to find out why it was credited.
No it's not a gift and no court would accept that as a defence, and you can't possibly seriously think that, can you?

Thanks Bris,
Your answer has pointed me in the in the direction of, 1968 Theft Act - 24A Dishonestly retaining a wrongful credit.

(1) A person is guilty of an offence if—
(a) a wrongful credit has been made to an account kept by him or in respect of which he has any right or interest;
(b) he knows or believes that the credit is wrongful; and
(c) he dishonestly fails to take such steps as are reasonable in the circumstances to secure that the credit is cancelled.

Just for clarity no I don't seriously think that it's a gift. It's only because I was looking for another payment in my bank app this one caught my eye. The statement view doesn't tell me who it came from I had a to phone my bank for that information; prior to phoning the bank I was cautious of it being part of a money laundering scam. I am curious what the CC company are going to say when I phone them. I am wonder how many financial institutions make errors in payments and what it costs to the customers.

cymruchris

I would imagine if they were generous enough to send you a gift- they'd be sending you a fancy letter or other form of communication congratulating you on your good fortune. Or did you get an email from someone in Nigeria - and you've received funds from their wealthy uncle who happens to be the king's brother's son-in-law's father?

Highland76

Twincarb said:

Highland76 said:

Twincarb said:

The company concerned is an app only provider which used to be free and then started charging, at which point I paid off my balance and cancelled the card. 

Who is the provider? Because I'm not aware of any CC company (well known at least) charging customers to use their smartphone app. It's ok, you won't get into trouble if you name the CC company 😂

The app isn't paid for they now charge for having a CC with them.

Thanks, so it seems they are charging an annual fee for their CC. Can you name the provider? If you do, then maybe others might also recall having received an “unsolicited financial gift” from them and might be able to advise you the reason for this.