Being Paid in small duplicate amounts. Why would somebody do this? Claim Back Later?

PRAISETHESUN

Without knowing the sender's side of the story it's mostly just speculation, but I agree you need to be careful in case YOUR bank thinks something suspicious is going. At the very least you should have a secondary account with access to some money so you can pay your bills in the event your bank freezes your account. I'd also start documenting the debt owed (eg. receipts of sale, etc) as well as tracking how much has been actually paid off - both for your benefit, but also so there is some evidence to provide to your bank in case they ask for it.

Flugelhorn

I would tot up how much they have sent you and message them with the total and reminder as to how much more you are expecting - just in case they are hoping you have lost count 

jimjames

BenjyBoo said:

COIAHLGW said:

I would have him create a new backup current account with a new banking group just in case, so it is all up and running and available in case the original account is locked.

Could this really happen, by giving your name and bank account number for someone to pay you back? Why would my account get locked because someone is playing silly games and paying me back in small suspicious looking amounts? I didn't think about that, I was just worried about my partner using the money and then the sellers bank drawing it back.

If your account was being used to receive scam payments then absolutely it could be locked. It doesn't sound like this is the case but if someone was setting up a scam and receiving payments under false pretences then the bank would stop the receiving account while they investigate. Have a look for details of money mules.

flaneurs_lobster

What was the reason for the item's return? Sounds to me like there's a bit of the narrative missing and the seller is having a huffy and has decided to muck about and make the refund process as inconvenient to you as possible without actually refusing the return.

As others have said, just beware of any negative effect on the receiving bank account, the suggestions about having at least one other bank account are good, regardless of this particular incident.