When his bank indicated an unknown amount of £1,10,000, a man from Norfolk, UK, was perplexed. When the bank incorrectly advised he could keep the lump sum, his astonishment turned to disbelief.
According to reports, Russell Alexander questioned it with Barclays. The bank informed him incorrectly that the money was an inheritance and that he could keep it indefinitely.
The funds were transferred to his account in installments. He witnessed the initial deposit of £30,000 on December 29, 2020. He contacted the bank via its website chat facility at that point but received no answer. After two weeks, he got another deposit and called the bank.
He stated that a bank employee told him a few weeks later that the money was his to spend because it appeared to be straight inheritance cash.
He used the money to buy a new property for £2,37,500, believing it to be legitimate money. His ex-fiance and he had previously sold their seven-bedroom home to raise the additional funds needed.
Bank incorrectly advised
Unfortunately for him, the joy of having a new home may be coming to an end soon.
According to reports, the bank realized their error nine months after Alexander’s funds began to arrive in his account. It has now ordered the 54-year-old to repay the entire sum, plus an additional £6,000.
Following the event, the bank confessed that another individual sent it incorrectly. The bank ‘incorrectly advised that he could keep the funds.’
“I never would have bought [the house] if I didn’t have the extra money. Barclays have stolen my future plans and left me living like a stowaway,” he was quoted as saying by Mail Online.
“It’s been sitting there for nine months and they said if I’d spent it they couldn’t do anything, but because I didn’t they’ve just taken it back. It made no sense to me when the money just arrived, but I checked with the bank twice and with an accountant – they all said to spend it,” he added.
Since the bank took over the residence, the man claims he has been living in a semi-derelict home with no heat. He stated that he does not have the money to even solve the problems.
According to Alexander, the bank offered him £500 in compensation or as an apology. It was something that enraged him ‘totally.’
“I’ve been a loyal customer for 40 years and they told me twice the money was mine to spend,” he said.
