H
hazel
When you bank online, you usually make transfers by entering a sort code and account number. And it's rather easy to make a mistake in one of those numbers. If the result corresponds to an actual account, your money will go into that account. But what happens then? Is there any way of getting the money back?
Your bank will, at your request, contact the recipient's bank and they will contact the recipient and explain to him that the money was paid to him in error and that he should return it.
If he refuses to do so, neither your bank nor the recipient's bank (if different) are in any way responsible for what has happened. They merely followed your instructions. As long as the instruction came from you and not someone fraudulently claiming to be you, they are completely covered from any requirement to repay you themselves.
The police will not act because no crime has been committed. The man has not stolen your money or tricked you into giving it to him. You did that of your own free will.
You can, in theory, sue him in the civil courts. But to do that, you have to know who he is, and his bank will not tell you. He is their customer and they owe him a duty of care. Under the Data Protection Act they cannot pass on his details to a third party, unless asked by the police in connection with a crime such as tax evasion, fraud or money laundering.
So if you do bank online, always double- and tripple-check what you have typed before you press the send button.
.
Note: This applies in the UK. I don't know what the American position is.
Continue reading...
Your bank will, at your request, contact the recipient's bank and they will contact the recipient and explain to him that the money was paid to him in error and that he should return it.
If he refuses to do so, neither your bank nor the recipient's bank (if different) are in any way responsible for what has happened. They merely followed your instructions. As long as the instruction came from you and not someone fraudulently claiming to be you, they are completely covered from any requirement to repay you themselves.
The police will not act because no crime has been committed. The man has not stolen your money or tricked you into giving it to him. You did that of your own free will.
You can, in theory, sue him in the civil courts. But to do that, you have to know who he is, and his bank will not tell you. He is their customer and they owe him a duty of care. Under the Data Protection Act they cannot pass on his details to a third party, unless asked by the police in connection with a crime such as tax evasion, fraud or money laundering.
So if you do bank online, always double- and tripple-check what you have typed before you press the send button.
.
Note: This applies in the UK. I don't know what the American position is.
Continue reading...