Recycle company refunded me twice, now they’re requesting the over payment bank!

Bassmonkey77

So got myself a new handset with my contract, didn’t fancy selling my old handset on eBay, so opted for a recycle company. Found a decent offer for my old handset, fully expecting them to knock me down on their original offer, they didn’t disappoint, but was happy with £300. Got my refund within 24 hours, was happy as Larry, that same evening  after receiving my refund, they then sent me a second refund of another £300 making £600 in total, thought I would sit on it and see what happens. Over a month later I get an email requesting the overpayment back, my question is where do I stand legally on this. I haven’t found much on this in the web, but did come across one article that suggested I could be money laundering?! Anyone got any advice? 

turnitround

Why would you ask that? You have been paid twice in error.  If you had been charged twice in error would you sit on it for a while and see what happens.
Legally you must pay them back.

PHK

If you receive money (or anything) that you know isn’t yours then of course you shouldn’t keep it. 

The correct thing to do would have been to notify them of the error and make arrangements to return the money (or item). If there is any expense to you in doing that they should pay that.  

WelshPaul

You will have to pay them back. Make it difficult for them if you want, but they will just submit a small claims court case and they will win.

littleboo

Anyone got any advice?
Yes,give the money back, it doesn’t belong to you. 

PHK

WelshPaul said:

You will have to pay them back. Make it difficult for them if you want, but they will just submit a small claims court case and they will win.

Yes, there's lots of case law on this and in fact 'retaining a wrong credit' is an offence under the Theft Act. So could result in a criminal case if you don't notify if the error straightaway.

d123

Bassmonkey77 said:

So got myself a new handset with my contract, didn’t fancy selling my old handset on eBay, so opted for a recycle company. Found a decent offer for my old handset, fully expecting them to knock me down on their original offer, they didn’t disappoint, but was happy with £300. Got my refund within 24 hours, was happy as Larry, that same evening  after receiving my refund, they then sent me a second refund of another £300 making £600 in total, thought I would sit on it and see what happens. Over a month later I get an email requesting the overpayment back, my question is where do I stand legally on this. I haven’t found much on this in the web, but did come across one article that suggested I could be money laundering?! 

Anyone got any advice? 

Why would you need advice on this? If the firm hadn't paid you would you have also kept quiet for a month? But because the firm made a mistake to your advantage you thought you'd keep quiet and keep their money?

Neil_Jones

Bassmonkey77 said:

So got myself a new handset with my contract, didn’t fancy selling my old handset on eBay, so opted for a recycle company. Found a decent offer for my old handset, fully expecting them to knock me down on their original offer, they didn’t disappoint, but was happy with £300. Got my refund within 24 hours, was happy as Larry, that same evening  after receiving my refund, they then sent me a second refund of another £300 making £600 in total, thought I would sit on it and see what happens. Over a month later I get an email requesting the overpayment back, my question is where do I stand legally on this. I haven’t found much on this in the web, but did come across one article that suggested I could be money laundering?! Anyone got any advice? 

Give them £300 back.

it is not yours.

It's not "money laundering", its technically theft.  Even though they gave you the money due to system error or whatever, you still have money you're not supposed to have.

Pay it back and the matter will be closed.  Not sure why you think you need to ask this, surely if it was the other way round and you overpaid £300 you'd want it back?

binao

If they paid you ìn error £300 every day for a month, would you still be asking?