If you receive a mistaken bank transfer, what should you do to avoid being scammed?
Reader Anh Thư (Lâm Đồng) asks: I just received a payment from an unfamiliar account, but I don’t know who sent it. Later, someone contacted me, saying they had sent it by mistake, and asked me to return the money. How should I handle this situation so that I can return the money if it was indeed a mistake, while also avoiding being taken advantage of or scammed by fraudsters?
Answer:
Banking Times would like to thank you for submitting your question. Here is our advice:
If you unexpectedly receive money from an unknown account, you shouldn’t rush to return it. This could be a genuine mistaken transfer, but there are also cases where scammers take advantage of this situation to approach and defraud the recipient.
When you discover an unusual deposit, first check directly on your banking app to confirm that the transaction actually occurred. Do not rely solely on screenshots or transfer notifications sent by strangers, as law enforcement has documented scams involving fake transfer notifications.
If someone calls or texts claiming to be the owner of the funds and requests a refund, do not transfer the money immediately on your own. The safest approach is to contact the bank through official channels, provide the transaction details, and follow their instructions to verify and resolve the issue. In fact, law enforcement agencies have also collaborated with banks to assist in resolving cases involving large accidental transfers.
Be wary if a stranger requests:
- Transferring money to an account other than the one to which the funds were mistakenly sent.
- Provide an OTP, password, PIN, or card information.
- Click on a link or scan a QR code to “confirm a refund.”
- Install an app or allow someone else to control your phone.
- Transfer a “refund fee,” “verification fee,” or “processing fee.”
Under no circumstances should you provide your OTP or any other security information to anyone. The police advise the public to remain calm, not to comply with requests from strangers, and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
While waiting for verification, you should leave the received funds as is and not use them without authorization. Refunds should be processed according to the bank’s procedures and guidelines to minimize risks for both the sender and the recipient.
A simple rule to remember: If you receive an unexpected deposit, check it carefully; do not rush to return it; do not provide any security information; and contact your bank for guidance.
