Why is this not theft

**Alex-ander** · September 12, 2009, 04:24 AM

This has been on the Television this morning.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8251679.stm

I know the sum involved is not a big one but i can not understand why its not theft and why the Police are not intrested in acting on this.

If my bank accadently puts £2,000 in my account by accident can i just say thank you and keep it. No way the Police would be around knocking on my door so whats differant.

**CobraStallone** · September 12, 2009, 12:15 PM

I guess it's like if I walk up to you and hand you a 100 bucks without saying anything and walk away, and then accuse you of stealing.

**D.B. Cooper** · September 12, 2009, 12:26 PM

He didn't steal anything.

**C-Rob** · September 12, 2009, 12:32 PM

that would piss me off. I probably would not keep the money. It's as bad as stealing. Comeon, you should correct the cashier when they give you too much change, you shoudl correct hte foreigner who gives you a 100 dollar bill instead of a 10, and you should keep track of your bank account and make sure people are paying you correctly. It makes me mad to think about that person. That's a ton of cash.

**Theseus1234** · September 12, 2009, 01:22 PM

Although it was a mistake, it is not theft. It was her fault and the recipient is not obligated to return the money unless he does so out of the goodness of his heart

**~~removeduser_487563287433~~** · September 12, 2009, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by Alex-ander

This has been on the Television this morning.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8251679.stm

I know the sum involved is not a big one but i can not understand why its not theft and why the Police are not intrested in acting on this.

If my bank accadently puts £2,000 in my account by accident can i just say thank you and keep it. No way the Police would be around knocking on my door so whats differant.

What's different is that the bank has done what this woman asked the bank to do.

**Desperado †** · September 12, 2009, 05:18 PM

Theft is taking without permission not giving by mistake.

**Alex-ander** · September 13, 2009, 12:52 AM

Originally Posted by Desperado †

Theft is taking without permission not giving by mistake.

True but i would say that keeping the money knowing if was accadently given to you is theft.

**The spartan** · September 13, 2009, 12:22 AM

To place the total of the responsibility on the woman is inaccurate I think. The bank has some accountability in this matter as their website makes it easy to make this mistake.

I don't think it's theft, but the woman does deserve some form of reimbursement. This isn't like a "lala, well, she made a mistake, sucks for her" that is quite a chunk of change.

**~~Exarch~~** · September 13, 2009, 01:52 AM

Originally Posted by Alex-ander

This has been on the Television this morning.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8251679.stm

I know the sum involved is not a big one but i can not understand why its not theft and why the Police are not intrested in acting on this.

If my bank accadently puts £2,000 in my account by accident can i just say thank you and keep it. No way the Police would be around knocking on my door so whats differant.

agree with the analogy
most net bankings will come up with a screeen confirming the details of the transaction and even designate a reference number to each transaction whcih one should record (i always do

) before you click ok and transfer.

q: why cant she call the ppl she paid the money to if she used to pay them long ago?

**roy34543** · September 13, 2009, 02:12 AM

Well the person who got the money and didnt return it is obviously rather imoral, but you cant put him in jail for it or even force him to give it back.

**~~Exarch~~** · September 13, 2009, 02:40 AM

Originally Posted by roy34543

Well the person who got the money and didnt return it is obviously rather imoral, but you cant put him in jail for it or even force him to give it back.

just like the OP's analogy with the bank accidentally putting $$ in your bank account
why can you not then keep it as the dishonest person does?
why does the bank have the power to dig into your own account and fleece your of the money whcih fate put there?

PS did you get my wall post?

**jankren** · September 13, 2009, 02:27 AM

One side is a reckless idiot and the other side is an unethical jackass.

But I still think the woman should get the money back.

Its like if I send a package to the wrong address it is wrong if the recipient keeps it.

**Rich86** · September 13, 2009, 07:05 AM

It doesn't constitute Theft - the best you could try and get her for is Theft by Finding - and since she didn't 'find' the money - she was given it - that wouldn't stand up for a second.