Erroneous refund 23 September 2022 at 10:09PM in Consumer rights 8 replies 411 views

Girasolelass

Hi, this is my maiden post so thank you for accepting me!

I recently spent £128.80 at IKEA on 11/9/22 using my Monzo account and kept all the goods. 

On 19/9/22 I noticed a credit to my Monzo account from IKEA for the same amount despite not having returned anything.

Being an honest consumer, I contacted the store to explain what has happened but the staff member had no idea how to resolve the matter and advised the amount could be debited automatically at some point in the future. 

My question is whether there is any time limit in which they are able to take back their money which was erroneously credited to my account?  It’s very irritating to see the funds there and potentially have to leave them in the account in case IKEA realise an error has been made and do an auto recovery.

Basically, what are my rights and is there a time limit after which I am able to keep the funds?

Many thanks 🙂

Aylesbury_Duck

You don't have a right to keep the money unless they say you can, and they have six years in which to claim it back.

Girasolelass

Crikey I’d better pour it to one side then! Many thanks got your speedy response Aylesbury_Duck 😊

mattyprice4004

Just pretend it didn’t happen and that the money was taken - then wait 6 years. 

Bonus if they don’t reclaim it (but you need proof that you’ve tried to repay it) 

ThumbRemote

mattyprice4004 said:

Just pretend it didn’t happen and that the money was taken - then wait 6 years. 

Bonus if they don’t reclaim it (but you need proof that you’ve tried to repay it) 

Do you? Proof for whom, and for what reason?

As said elsewhere, you don't have a right to keep the money, but legally you don't have to make any effort to try and repay it, you can leave it entirely up to the retailer to spot and correct their mistake. 

unholyangel

ThumbRemote said:

mattyprice4004 said:

Just pretend it didn’t happen and that the money was taken - then wait 6 years. 

Bonus if they don’t reclaim it (but you need proof that you’ve tried to repay it) 

Do you? Proof for whom, and for what reason?

As said elsewhere, you don't have a right to keep the money, but legally you don't have to make any effort to try and repay it, you can leave it entirely up to the retailer to spot and correct their mistake. 

Theft act makes it a potential offence to dishonestly fail to take reasonable steps to have a wrongful credit cancelled. 

Jumblebumble

unholyangel said:

ThumbRemote said:

mattyprice4004 said:

Just pretend it didn’t happen and that the money was taken - then wait 6 years. 

Bonus if they don’t reclaim it (but you need proof that you’ve tried to repay it) 

Do you? Proof for whom, and for what reason?

As said elsewhere, you don't have a right to keep the money, but legally you don't have to make any effort to try and repay it, you can leave it entirely up to the retailer to spot and correct their mistake. 

Theft act makes it a potential offence to dishonestly fail to take reasonable steps to have a wrongful credit cancelled. 

That may well be true but who do you think is going to try and enforce it?
( Simple answer no one !)

Soot2006

Calling IKEA to make them aware was a reasonable step.

WhiskersTheWonderCat

unholyangel said:

ThumbRemote said:

mattyprice4004 said:

Just pretend it didn’t happen and that the money was taken - then wait 6 years. 

Bonus if they don’t reclaim it (but you need proof that you’ve tried to repay it) 

Do you? Proof for whom, and for what reason?

As said elsewhere, you don't have a right to keep the money, but legally you don't have to make any effort to try and repay it, you can leave it entirely up to the retailer to spot and correct their mistake. 

Theft act makes it a potential offence to dishonestly fail to take reasonable steps to have a wrongful credit cancelled. 

And surely we should be due compensation for the time and effort it takes us to try and rectify their mistake?