money in a childs account by mistake

[Beanmistriss]

My neice has had 500 (sorry my keyboard has lost it's pound sign) put into her account in what must be an error. last month there was 9500odd put in there and taken back out again by the bank and my sister in law quiereied this and they said it was an error. Anyhoo this week she has gone to take money out and theres an extra 500 in there. My sister in law told her to take it all out and keep it as she thinks that as the girl is only 16 the bank can't make her pay it back. I reckon that they would reclaim the money from the person who signed for the account with her (when we opened my step-sons his dad had to sign for him to open an account even though it is only in his sons name. So who's right? Or are neither of us right? I did also point out thats its a bit dishonest but they didn't seem much fussed about that :/

[kira000]

I'm afraid that your sister in law is wrong. It doesnt matter whose the bank account is, the money isnt your neices and was placed there in error.
If she spends it, or removes it from the account, she will hve to repay it. Taking money that you know not to be yours, is legal and constitutes fraud. At the age of 16 the law does consider children to know right from wrong, and would not be exempt from recourse.

[factor-fiction]

The money could belong to another child - it could be a gift from a generous grandmother who has accidentally keyed in the wrong number. If the boot were on the other foot and your sister in law had accidentally transferref money to my daughter rather than hers, iI'm sure she'd expect her money back

[kira000]

Sorry, i should have said, taking money is ILLEGAL nd constitutes fraud. oops

[bednobs]

lol at "it's a BIT dishosnest"
er no try, "its stealing and it's illegal"

[brenda]

What a fine upstanding , honest character your sister-in -law is.
Just the kind of person we all need to set an example to young people--I don't think.

My advice to you is that you keep a sharp eye on your handbag, she could be in that next, or the girl might.

[Beanmistriss]

I know I said a bit dishonest but it would upset the family balance to tell her I thought she was a theiving bint. And you're right, if it was money missing from her account she'd be going mental. I think its a disgraceful thing to do but sadly we can always control other peoples actions. Now if it was one of MY sisters she woukd have heard exactly what I thought!

But thanks people thats exactly what I thought bit now I can tell her that I asked someone who knows about these things and I was right :)