Is someone who sent money to me by accident running a scam?
Almost certainly yes. 'Accidental' transfers to strangers are a well-known scam opener: the money comes from a stolen account, and when you refund it, you are out of pocket.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
The accidental transfer scam works because the money that arrived in your account looks real. The sender asks you to return it, often urgently. You send your own money as the refund. Then the bank reverses the original 'accidental' payment because it came from a stolen account, leaving you down the amount you refunded. A variation involves the sender asking you to send the refund to a different account than the one it came from. In every case, you should never send money back directly to someone who claims to have transferred in error. Instead, contact your bank and ask them to reverse the transaction through official bank-to-bank channels. Do not withdraw or spend the money in the meantime.
Common red flags
- An unexpected payment arrives from an unknown person
- Sender contacts you urgently asking for the money back
- They ask you to refund to a different account from where the money came
- Sender has a sense of urgency and becomes aggressive if you suggest using the bank
What to do now
- Do not send any money back directly
- Contact your bank and explain the situation — they can facilitate the reversal
- Do not withdraw or spend the amount while it is under dispute
- Report the incident to your bank's fraud team
Frequently asked questions
Am I obligated to return money sent to me in error?
Yes — funds received in error are not yours to keep. But the correct process is a bank-facilitated reversal, not a private transfer. Never refund directly to an unknown person.