I am legally obligated to give back money?

Question

My employer accidentally gave me tuition reimbursement money twice (both through direct deposit). Billing emailed me and asked that I send them a check for the amount that was erroneously given to me. I am going to pay, obviously--but got me wondering if I would be legally obligated to do so. My husband seems to think "once it hits your bank account, it's yours." :)

Answer 1

Yes you are.  They agreed to reimburse you once, not twice.  Sorry, but your husband is mistaken.  Of course, you could try to pull a fast one, but look at it this way........you have a lot more to lose there than the amount of that second check.

If I was the employer in this scenario and realized my mistake, I would deduct it from a subsequent paycheck if the employee refused to repay the amount owed.  This is why, when you leave a job, an employer won't pay you any earlier than the regularly scheduled payday.

Answer 2

yeah you are legally obligated. something similar happened to me when i still had my beautiful 05 mustang gt, someone hit me and we eventually settled and the insurance company accidentally sent me two checks, the memo line just said settlement so i thought it was part of it, and i put the check in my account. well, about a week later got a call from them and they were prepared to go to court over it if didn'tnt pay up, and the accident wasnt even my fault and my mustang was ruiend!!!! i of corse paid itbecausese that extra part of iwasn'tnt mine, but i did end up with a nice hefty settlement. soo long story short, yeah just pay it.

Answer 3

If the bank accidentally put $1,000,000,000 into your account is it yours?I think not.Legally you don't have a leg to stand on.What would you do morally?

Answer 4

yes you are.  IT was an accident and you are the better person to let them know.  in the long run you would have to give it back anyway

Answer 5

If you accidentally paid your electric bill twice, do you think the power company could just keep it?  Your husband has no basis for his opinion.  Whether the money is in cash and hidden under the mattress, or in a bank, makes no difference.

Answer 6

no you have to pay back - like everyone else