Can I keep money accidently deposited to my account by someone else?

Question

Someone has accidently deposited money into my bank account on 3 different occasions in the last 3 months. They keep writing the wrong account number (mine) on their deposit slip and the teller doesn't bother checking the account to make sure it is the right account. This is nothing more than a hassle because of the phone calls from the bank, but can I do anything about it if it happens again (i.e. keep the money since there was incompetence on both parties, the bank and the customer)?

Sorry I forgot to say that the bank calls me everytime they do it and tells me what happened and that they are removing the deposit. I don't keep the money. But if someone is so ignorant about this, then why shouldn't I be able to keep the money? I think I should.

Answer 1

The bank controls your account, not you. Every time it happens, the person who deposits the money (even though they are not the brightest) soon realizes that they don't have it in their account. The bank takes the money out of yours to satisfy the customer who made the original mistake and to correct their subsequent mistake.
The bank is calling you out of courtesy. They do not have to notify you that this happened at all.
Two wrongs don't make a right....incompetence on both parties doesn't mean you won and get to keep the money.
What if you were the customer who put the wrong number on the slip? Maybe they are old or dyslexic or something.

Here's what to do: If the person makes the same deposit every month, then they may go to the same branch to do it every time. Call the manager or stop by and let them know that this has happened, and to please keep an eye out when that customer comes in so that it won't happen again. It can go undetected in many cases, so the mgr will want to know if the tellers are not checking enough.
Or tell them that they should provide that customer with pre-encoded deposit slips.

Answer 2

Yes you can. Banks have no right to transfer money out of your account without any written approval. It's stated in the Banking Act. But I will return the $ though. Giving is receiving.

Answer 3

I should be so lucky. Is it a lot of money? Hmmm...I'd say "Finders keepers, losers--weepers" if it happened again. But after that, I guess I'd inform the bank to help the poor slob out before it gets out of hand and they ask you questions.

Answer 4

No. Because, if this money belonged toa corporation you wil be found out very soon. This is theft

Answer 5

no and your bank would frown upon this. It's called theft.