I was over-reimbursed!!?

Question

My private medical insurance co. over-reimbursed my credit card for medical services I received. Then, my credit card company deposited this over-payment into my personal bank account! Now, I am sitting on $25,000 OF MONEY THAT'S NOT "MINE"!
Legally, I am probably liable & bound to notify & return it, right?! Can someone give me my OTHER options??
I live in Japan, & the private company is based out of Australia.
HELP!!

Thank you to all that have answered my question thus far. However, all answers are requiring me to DO SOMETHING. I am an extremely busy business person who did nothing more than file my claim according to the insurance company's standards. They are negligent in making this mistake. I WILL contact them, but shouldn't I be asking for some restitution for inconveniencing myself?Not to mention my honesty in this matter?! Am I legally able to ask for it?

What I would like to do is, as if an employer overpays an employee, is give the money back over time. Or, "re-reimburse " them, as I make claims from here on. In that way, I can have the money working for me, at least.
??

Again, thanks to all that have replied. HOWEVER, you can keep all your "moralistic values" & "do the RIGHT thing" comments. I am a good, law-abiding citizen who has had his fair share of "gettin shafted" before. I have lost money & had to pay out for things I didn't feel justified for before. We all have. Thats not what I'm asking for advice on. Mr. Henry got it close on his advice (Thank you!) but what I need is someone involved in "small claims court" or a legal representative to clarify the law for me here. Thank you in advance for your time.

Answer 1

You are exactly right! It would seem the money WAS an overpayment and to knowingly keep it would be actionable theft. Contact the insurance company claims department IN WRITING, REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED!!!

Tell them the circumstances and ask why the apparent overpayment was made. Are you entitled to it, and, if so, why? Request an answer IN WRITING!!

If they require restitution, have them spell out how much and the exact procedure to be followed.Keep copies of ALL correspondense.

Send any restitution remittance by check only, registered mail, return receipt requested.

I, personally, would commend you for your honesty. Others might have kept it hoping no one would notice.

Answer 2

Call them and settle this. If they paid you through electronic means, they probably have the ability (and right) to reverse the money. You probably signed something at one point that allowed them to make the payments automatically to your account. What you didn't know is that it also authorizes them to take money out of the account if they need to. In short, this means that some day you will write a check against the account and they will have sucked out the over-paid money and it will be deemed your fault when your checks start bouncing.

I have seen it happen with many different types of automated payments. They will not leave the money there to "work for you"; insurance companies are very smart investors and will invest every dollar they can for themselves.

Answer 3

I lived in Japan (Misawa) many years ago, and if memory serves me correctly....isn't there a "custom" that rewards the finder of property or am I confusing this with some other country I have lived?

Tell them that they owe you 10% as a "finder's fee" or I would at LEAST ask for what is known as an "Explanation of Benefits." You should receive one of these for each claim you turn in to the insurance company. Then look over what they paid you and to others and then you may find that they owed you the money to begin with!

Now...perhaps you have a particular type of coverage that pays you a LUMP SUM benefit for serious diseases like cancer, leukemia and other serious life threatening diseases.

Good luck and I hope this helps!

Answer 4

Are you kidding? They made a mistake - and you think because you need to take 5 minutes (ok, maybe 15) to let them know, you should be entitled to keep the money and pay it back over time? That is just ridiculous - have you never made a mistake?

One option you DO have is to do nothing - if you spend (or invest) it, it may be considered theft - but the company will eventually realize their mistake - and come after you for it.

Answer 5

This is almost funny. No, you don't deserve to keep their money for a specified period of time, and no, you don't get a reward for being honest, or any other such silly thing. An error was made, and you need to correct it. If they discover the error on their own, the money will be extracted from you as quickly as it was given to you.

Inconvenienced ? That's even funnier yet.

Answer 6

I'd call or email right away, as insurance companies have no sense of humor when it comes to money they see as theirs. You sure don't want them either cancelling your coverage, or filing an action against you.

Good luck.

Answer 7

OK, you want other options that don't require you to DO SOMETHING.

DO NOTHING. Eventually this will catch up with you, and you'll have to pay them back.

Answer 8

call the company immediately.