Unauthorised and mistaken transactions
If you find a transaction in your account that you don't recognise, it could be unauthorised or mistaken.
If you think something is wrong, contact your bank as soon as possible.
Signs of unauthorised and mistaken transactions
An unauthorised transaction is when someone transfers money from your account without your permission.
A mistaken transaction is when when you pay the wrong person or company by using the wrong bank details.
When you check your accounts, look for payments or withdrawals you don't recognise, such as:
a payment to a person or company you don't know
a cash withdrawal from a place you've never been
a transaction on a date when you didn't use your account
a payment made twice
When you check transactions, keep in mind:
Transactions can take days to show up in your account. If you buy something on a weekend, the transaction might appear the next week.
The name of the shop or restaurant might not match the name on your bank statement. Check the business and trading names online.
How to get your money back
If you find something wrong, contact your bank as soon as possible.
The sooner you contact your bank, the more likely you are to get your money back — and if the transaction is unauthorised, the sooner the bank can stop any further transactions.
When you report a mistaken or unauthorised transaction, make sure the bank gives you a reference number. This will help if you to need to contact them again.
If an unauthorised or mistaken transaction occurs on your personal account, and your bank has signed up to ASIC's ePayments code, they have to take steps to help you.
Mistaken transactions
You are likely to get your money back if it is still in the recipient's account and if you report it to your bank:
within 10 business days
after 10 business days — but it will take longer to get your money back
after seven months — if the recipient agrees to the refund
Unauthorised transactions
You are more likely to get your money back if:
a forged, expired, blocked or cancelled card was used
a bank employee or a seller made the transaction fraudulently
the transaction took place before you received your card, PIN or password
a seller incorrectly debited your account more than once
the transaction took place after you told your bank that your card was lost or stolen
the transaction took place after you told your bank that someone else may know your PIN or password
it's clear that you haven't contributed to the loss
You are less likely to get your money back if you:
acted fraudulently
didn't keep your PIN or password secret
unreasonably delayed telling your bank that your card was lost or stolen
unreasonably delayed telling your bank that someone else may know your PIN or password
accidentally left your card in an ATM
Protect yourself
Check your bank statements regularly, and get familiar with the different types of transactions in your account. This can make it easier to spot a mistake.
Source:
Reproduced with the permission of ASIC’s MoneySmart Team. This article was originally published at https://moneysmart.gov.au/banking/unauthorised-and-mistaken-transactionsImportant note: This provides general information and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. It’s important to consider your particular circumstances before deciding what’s right for you. Although the information is from sources considered reliable, we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete. You should not rely upon it and should seek qualified advice before making any investment decision. Except where liability under any statute cannot be excluded, we do not accept any liability (whether under contract, tort or otherwise) for any resulting loss or damage of the reader or any other person. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns.ImportantAny information provided by the author detailed above is separate and external to our business and our Licensee. Neither our business nor our Licensee takes any responsibility for any action or any service provided by the author. Any links have been provided with permission for information purposes only and will take you to external websites, which are not connected to our company in any way. Note: Our company does not endorse and is not responsible for the accuracy of the contents/information contained within the linked site(s) accessible from this page.