found money in cashpoint...

molly24_2

Hi everybody

I am more of a lurker than a poster, and not sure if this is the right place to post but I am hoping you could help me out.

I went to the cashpoint earlier to withdraw a tenner and someone had left their money behind. I wasn't really sure what to do, so took the money out and just stood there looking around to see if they came back for it. I withdrew my own money, then stood around for a bit more - I felt really guilty as I was holding someone else's cash and by this time I was shaking, expecting the person to come back and call me a thief!

Anyway nobody came back and so I ended up aking the money home. I am sure you can all understand how much this extra cash would help! But, my morals won't let me just keep it - I would feel too guilty so would like to try and return it.

I am going to call the bank it came from in the morning and see if they can trace and contact the person who used it before me - does anyone know if this is possible or have any other ideas on what to do?

Thanks for your help

Molly

tyllwyd

Hi Molly

Chances are the person who left the money behind will have contacted the bank and asked them if it has been found. (If you had left it, the machine should have sucked it back in.) So if you talk to the bank they will probably be able to pass it back to the right person.

MarkyMarkD

The money either belongs to the bank or another customer; the customer will probably contact the bank and ask for the money or complain that they had it debited from their account but didn't actually get it.

So I agree with the previous posts - take the money back to the bank (or tell them by phone and let them debit it from your account if that's easier). If it's unclaimed and did belong to another customer, rather than the bank, they may let you have it - they should do.

Oldernotwiser

Congratulations, fantastic to see that there are still some honest people left in this world.You've restored by faith in human nature (a little).

bigturnip

You could have just left it and the machine would have taken it back, I used to do this all the time in my (slightly) younger days. Clubs would only let you out and back in for free if you came back with a cashpoint receipt and this worked if I didn't actually need any cash, it even went back into my account automatically.

The machines normally take the money back within about 20-30 seconds so it's odd that you didn't see anyone around the machine, maybe it was just giving out free money.

jamtart6

i didnt know the machine took it back!

i would have taken it striaght into the bank if there was one, if not, get on thephone tomorrow. i have this thing that if money doesnt belong to you, youll never have any luck with it

bathgatebuyer

I would take it back - a few years ago I went to withdraw cash from the machine and took out my last tenner which was to last about 4 days until payday. Stupidly got distracted by a passing flashing blue on a police car and walked off leaving my last tenner in the machine. I never got it back, so had to phone in sick to work for 4 days as I had no money to get to work.

It may have been that person's last tenner. They may even be more skint than you are!

SamanthaA

I agree with bathgatebuyer, it may have been someones last bit of cash.

You feel guilty just holding it till you get to the bank! Don`t want to imagine hold you`d be if we were saying keep it!

My cousin found & kept £500, had I know I would have asked him take it back, could have been some little old ladies bill money or life savings! But he has no morals, and nor does his g/friend which surprised me!

Pollycat

Hi Molly
Don't feel guilty, I don't think you've done anything wrong at all.

If I'd left some money in the cash machine, the first thing I'd do is contact the Bank as soon as they open.
So, as long as you get in touch with them and let them know you have the money, you'll have done everything you can.

I found a purse in our town centre one Saturday evening just outside a bar.
I didn't want to just hand it into the bouncers so I checked inside and there was a driving licence with a local address on it (and a student card).
I took it home and chcked the phone directory and got the number.
When I rang and said I'd got the purse, this girls's Mum was so relieved, her daughter had just rung to ask her to cancel her Bank card (which was still in the purse).
I arranged to take it round the following day (I'd had a couple of drinks) and the girl had bought me some flowers.

I really believe that what goes around comes around and I'm sure that sooner or later a big hug will be coming your way.

Well done you for being honest.

Polly

jo1972

Awww Polly, that's a lovely story, good on you

jackieb

I'd take it back too. Anyway, isn't there cameras on ATM's?