brad1 Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 Today I was paid via direct deposit; directly into my bank account. And when I looked at the amount, I was very surprised. It was a lot more than it should have been. About 3k more than it was my last pay check. Now I did get a raise from last year, but not even close to that much. I am a school teacher, and I get paid on a scale. We get small increments in salary increases, as do most public employees. So I ask you guys...what should I do? What if this is the one and only time? Or what if this happens every month for the next year? I am feeling a little guilty. And I am worried if they find out about it down the road, that I may have to pay it back. Anybody have any knowledge or experience with something like this? Any lawyers What would you guys do??? 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanHenry Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 Buy a new guitar😄 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merciful-evans Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 It probably wouldn't hurt to query it. Both for your peace of mind and as a courtesy. If it was a mistake and you were underpaid you would expect it to be remedied. Is there any chance the extra was due you? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFord Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 Report it. You will have to pay it back if you spend it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrdinaryNimda Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 Nothing wrong with a bonus here and there. Corporate workers get them, Wall Street traders get them, farmers get them, so do medical doctors... Teachers deserve them too, especially in these #covid19 times! 👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bill Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 (edited) This has happened to me with the VA and other places. They will realize their mistake and come looking for their money. You may see 3 large less in one of your paychecks, so be careful. This reminds me of the time about 25 years ago I was checking my bank balance over the phone and I had over a 2 million dollar balance. Surprisingly it took them a couple of days to find out that it wasn't my money. It was nice being a millionaire for a couple of days. Edited August 31, 2021 by Big Bill 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twang Gang Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 (edited) Not a lawyer, but I know if someone ships you something in the mail unsolicited you are entitled to keep it. Not the same with money transfers. Ethical thing to do would be tell your employer about it, probably a mistake, but by being honest they may allow you to keep a portion of it? Edited August 31, 2021 by Twang Gang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly campbell Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 Personally I would have to inquire if it was a mistake or not. It would drive me crazy if I spent it and always felt like they are gonna ask fo it back some time in which case the employer has a negative view of you..JMHO! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitefang Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 I'm with Kelly. You can count on if it's a mistake they'll want the overage returned at a time you can ill afford to provide it. A similar thing happened to a sister in law of mine. She contacted her bank about it( in her case it was a direct deposit too) and they were helpful in straightening the situation out. In her case it was only a couple hondo. But, at 3K I'm assuming we're not talking a weekly paycheck, eh? Not for a PUBLIC schoolteacher anyway. Whitefang 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFord Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 I had one happen in person, the poor teller added a zero to a money order she was making out. It should be $3000, not $30,000... The way banks are I would not be surprised if they canned her despite the fact that she voided it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitefang Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 I didn't think money orders that high were possible. But then, I never got money orders at a bank, where the cost of one is much higher than anywhere else you get them. Whitefang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 I'd be afraid they'd hit my retirement, so I'd get down to HR immediately. rct 2 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NighthawkChris Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 The ethical thing to do is to ask your employer about this as others have stated or leaned towards. The places I worked for and work for, I don't take anything that is not mine or agreed upon to take. That's a lot of money, but don't let things like this ruin your career. Maybe it is yours... Overall, looks like possibly an error, but maybe not... Overall, my advice is to be ethical and honest. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bill Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 (edited) 25 minutes ago, NighthawkChris said: Overall, my advice is to be ethical and honest. +1 You'll sleep better. Edited August 31, 2021 by Big Bill 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdgm Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 3 hours ago, rct said: I'd be afraid they'd hit my retirement, so I'd get down to HR immediately. rct Yup...this. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 (edited) Yeah I would also not just leave it... As said, if your paycheque was short you would tell them quick enough.. Treat others how you would want to be treated... Teaching is also not an area where theres much spare money either... Could be used for many other things. You never know, you might get a nice surprise and if its legit you can then enjoy it as you want otherwise it was never really yours in the first place and also as said above it would worry me way too much to live with that... Edited August 31, 2021 by Rabs 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFord Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 5 hours ago, Whitefang said: I didn't think money orders that high were possible. But then, I never got money orders at a bank, where the cost of one is much higher than anywhere else you get them. Whitefang Perhaps it was a certified check, I just remember looking at it going oh no, that poor woman, they're not going to laugh that one off. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 (edited) Mistakes happen, even with payroll.. this was probably one of them. I'd ask some questions starting now. who ever is responsible (or their managers) will be looking to make it right,... so with that said, you should have an idea of how that's going to work out for you. think of it like this... if you got $3k less than what you had coming??? you'd not let it slide. Edited August 31, 2021 by kidblast 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparquelito Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 Cash it out, go down to your local bookie, and make two bets; One for $500 for the Miami Hurricanes to win next Saturday in their season opener. A second bet for $2,500 for Alabama to win that same game instead. At the least, between the two bets, you'll break even if Alabama wins. In the best case, if Miami wins, you'll pocket several thousand dollars. Then on Monday, go back to the bank and deposit the $3,000, and then notify the school district HR that there was some sort of mistake. Everybody wins this way. 😬 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted September 1, 2021 Author Share Posted September 1, 2021 3 hours ago, sparquelito said: Cash it out, go down to your local bookie, and make two bets; One for $500 for the Miami Hurricanes to win next Saturday in their season opener. A second bet for $2,500 for Alabama to win that same game instead. At the least, between the two bets, you'll break even if Alabama wins. In the best case, if Miami wins, you'll pocket several thousand dollars. Then on Monday, go back to the bank and deposit the $3,000, and then notify the school district HR that there was some sort of mistake. Everybody wins this way. 😬 brilliant!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNJ Posted September 1, 2021 Share Posted September 1, 2021 Brilliant indeed! Much better plan than mine: buy $3K worth of lottery tickets and (here where the plan falls a bit short) HOPE to win at least $3,001. At the very least, print out the statement and tack it on the wall above your guitars 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted September 1, 2021 Share Posted September 1, 2021 Honesty is the best policy…. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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