Payment made to bank?

Charw92

I have received a payment to my bank account of £250 with the reference 'national magazines'. I was really confused as to where this came from, and a search on this forum suggested it could be from Hearst media, so wondered if it was from a competition. I haven't been notified of any wins, and didn't think someone could pay you without having your bank details. I'm so confused as to where this has come from. Has anyone else experience similar? Thanks!

Blulu

I don't know about the 'paying into the bank' thing, but I got a £50 cheque a few months ago that was also from a Hearst magazine win. I had no notication either. All I got was a Hearst Media comp slip with the cheque.

Blu XXX 

AC55

Has it come via paypal or anything? that's the only way I can think of (and even then i'd be surprised if they would take the risk without notifying you first)

Charw92

AC55 said:

Has it come via paypal or anything? that's the only way I can think of (and even then i'd be surprised if they would take the risk without notifying you first)

No, it came via a Bank giro credit with the reference 'national magazines'. My PayPal account is linked to another email address, so it can't be that. Just seems very strange!

AC55

Charw92 said:

AC55 said:

Has it come via paypal or anything? that's the only way I can think of (and even then i'd be surprised if they would take the risk without notifying you first)

No, it came via a Bank giro credit with the reference 'national magazines'. My PayPal account is linked to another email address, so it can't be that. Just seems very strange!

May be worth dropping them a message on Tuesday to double check 😊 

I'd recommend not spending the money until its confirmed though in case it's one of those coincidental mistakes 

Charw92

AC55 said:

Charw92 said:

AC55 said:

Has it come via paypal or anything? that's the only way I can think of (and even then i'd be surprised if they would take the risk without notifying you first)

No, it came via a Bank giro credit with the reference 'national magazines'. My PayPal account is linked to another email address, so it can't be that. Just seems very strange!

May be worth dropping them a message on Tuesday to double check 😊 

I'd recommend not spending the money until its confirmed though in case it's one of those coincidental mistakes 

Thank you. Would you suggest contacting Hearst given the reference is 'national magazines'? 

Charw92

So I have been doing a bit of digging and seen that I won another Hearst magazine competiton back in 2021, and I gave them my bank details at the time so they could give me my prize. I had a look at the reference from when I won then and it is pretty much identical to this time, except for the number at the end (assuming this is some kind of reference number for their end). So unsure if they still have my details from back then? Still a little strange they wouldn't notify me first and I can't find any competitons for a Hearst magazine worth £250, though I struggle with the search function at times. I will contact them though to make sure it is legit.

ellenvan

Sometimes the ref number can decipher the win e.g. PR = Prima etc. + issue number

Charw92

ellenvan said:

Sometimes the ref number can decipher the win e.g. PR = Prima etc. + issue number

Thank you. I was hoping that too, but it is just a number that doesn't seem to give any clues  

Ms_Dee

This is very odd, it would be silly for them to transfer money to an account, it could be an old account or you may not have access anymore etc.

Have you tried searching £250 > under newest discussions > Game Over?
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/search?domain=discussions&query=£250&sort=-dateInserted&scope=site&Search=£250&categoryOptions[0][value]=74&categoryOptions[0][label]=Game over&categoryOptions[0][data][parentLabel]=Competitions time&types[0]=discussion&types[1]=comment&source=community

Do you enter any of the Text/Phone comps? Daily Mail, Mirror? As there are a fair few that were £250 - if you are on a phone contract could it have been put into that account?

Chat Life Death Prizes had a couple of £250 prizes recently: 
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6433068/e-04-04-chat-issue-12
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6431323/e-28-03-chat-issue-11

Could it be through a site that usually has your details, like a cashback site?

Have you signed up to any paid competitions sites? Either for free competitions that require your details or paid for some entries? You'd usually get notified and they don't usually hold onto payment details, but could they have 'issued a refund' and put this amount through?

Just some ideas. I wouldn't have thought they would transfer money without you giving them details though or notifying you, would seem very strange to do that after a year or two with your details too.

Please let us know when you do find out.
Fingers crossed it is a genuine win and congratulations if it is!

Have you searched your email for £250, Congratulations, Winner, Prize or magazines?
1 word searches usually work better than multiple.

AC55

Charw92 said:

AC55 said:

Charw92 said:

AC55 said:

Has it come via paypal or anything? that's the only way I can think of (and even then i'd be surprised if they would take the risk without notifying you first)

No, it came via a Bank giro credit with the reference 'national magazines'. My PayPal account is linked to another email address, so it can't be that. Just seems very strange!

May be worth dropping them a message on Tuesday to double check 😊 

I'd recommend not spending the money until its confirmed though in case it's one of those coincidental mistakes 

Thank you. Would you suggest contacting Hearst given the reference is 'national magazines'? 

No harm, it's probably a good starting point