Doh! Money transferred to wrong account

PCPaul wrote in news:2KkTk.87771$ snipped-for-privacy@text.news.virginmedia.com:

IANAL, but I would expect it to be fraud or somesuch if the receipient unfairly retains the monies.

I'm not so sure. If someone you don't know approaches you in the street, puts a £20 note in your hands and walks away, would you be guilty of fraud if you went into a shop and spent it?

Chris

I guess not in this case, because the person deliberately came up to you and gave you the money. But in the OP's case he made a mistake and has informed all concerned.

Rob Graham

While that's true .... the bit about waiting a week seems spurious, as you wouldn't expect everybody to check the balance of every account on a weekly basis. ISTM it's just part of the old-fashioned banking process where nothing gets done fast. It's also completely possible the the employee (or call centre drone) who gave this advice either misunderstood, was wrong or simply didn't bother to find out what should _really_ be done. I'd be inclined to phone up again and get a second opinion.

The transaction isn't a direct personal one, it is done via a third party system and the recipient in this case is unknown. There really should be checks and balances within the system for such errors which have happened many times I'd guess.