What happens if a bank deposits $2,000.00 in your checking account by mistake?

Question

This is exactly what happened to a friend of mine. She called her bank several times to rectify this mix-up to no avail. Then she told me that she used some of the $2000.00 to pay utility bills that would have been shut off if she hadn't. My friend says she will pay it back. I am AFRAID for her. Will she go to jail? What happens if the bank finds out and my friend hasn't paid it back in time? Will she be able to pay it back in installments? now, i know i'm talking crazy. Please help. Thank you.

love ya.

{{{hugs}}}

Answer 1

It is not her money in any way, shape or form.  The bank will need to get it back.  She should just go in there and tell them in person.  Using some of the money was wrong on her part because it was not hers to begin with.

Answer 2

The bank will eventually get around to dealing with her, count on it.

Answer 3

she wont go to jail, but yeah the bank will get their money back, and then some.  

Answer 4

For any responsible, honest person, the answer is easy. The bank made a mistake, the money is not hers, and she should not be spending it. The error will be corrected, and she, unfortunately, will pay the consequences for doing something she knows is not right. I have a difficult time believing that the bank is not looking into it IF she actually did contact them.

Answer 5

enjoy the money ... she did nothing wrong.

Answer 6

It's not finder's keepers and she can get in trouble.  State laws vary as to how long a bank has to find and fix a problem but it's usually years and somtimes they have as long as they want.  Your friend knows the money isn't hers and knows who the true owner is, so it can be called larceny.

Obviously if the bank put it there and she tried to tell them, they are not going to call the police immediately and look foolish and risk publicity about their mistake so calm down.  Tell her to replace it and write to the bank about it before they contact her.

Answer 7

the bank WILL collect the money.

Answer 8

I am sure the bank will get there money back. I don't think she would get into trouble though. If someone put money in my account I wouldn't notice and would probably spend it on bills to. Of course I would have to pay it back. They can't do something to you for putting it in your account.

Answer 9

Well, she did nothing wrong, yet it would be unethical for her to go spending the money right away. A big chunk of money suddenly missing probably won't go unnoticed so the best thing for your friend to do is wait at least a week or 2 before she decides to go spend it. The best thing to do though, is probably to return it.

Answer 10

She will not go to jail but she will have to pay it back.  If she can't pay it back, the bank will not be very nice to her but if she's in the position that her utilities are getting shut off, she's probably used to those kind of phonecalls.

Answer 11

you cant spend the money they will come after you its not your money at all its some one elses think how you would feel the bank will get around to it eventually