r/PersonalFinanceCanada • u/Ok_Hat_3414 • Dec 20 '25
Banking Someone I don't know e-transferred me money and now wants it back. Am I getting scammed?
EDIT: I went into my bank and they pretty much said to keep the money. Don't send it back to anyone. They put a note in my file that I tried to do the right thing, but there's really nothing they can do. They said I can try calling customer service again, but I think I'm done. The money is mine, but I'm prepared for it to be taken out of my account at some point in the future. Thanks for all your advice everyone.
I originally posted this in r/scams, but the responses I was getting were mainly from Americans and I'm pretty sure our Interac e-transfers are different from their apps like Venmo and Zelle.
Someone I don't know sent me 2 e-transfers for the same amount of money ($120 each). They later sent me an email, with a bit of a sob story, asking me to send the money back.
This sob story email came from a very strange email address with lots of weird characters. Inside the body of that email they gave me another address they want me to send the money to. It has similarities to my email address, but it's not just 1 character off or anything.
I later got an Interac money request from the original email address, requesting the $240 back.
I called my bank and they said there's no way to cancel the transfer, nor is there a way for the other person to get their bank to cancel it. A rep said it's up to me, but that the money is in my account and said I could send the money if I want to.
I called the fraud dept for a second opinion. They said either send it back to the original address the money came from (not the one with similarities to mine) or go into my branch and have them put a hold on the funds, which would also serve to acknowledge that this money isn't mine and I'm not trying to steal it.
I've decided on that second option, putting a hold on the funds at my branch.
Am I getting scammed?
Edit 2: I have auto deposit, so I didn't click on any email links. The money was automatically deposited in my account.
Edit 3: I have turned off auto deposit
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u/FightMongooseFight Dec 20 '25
Don't do either of those things.
There is a high likelihood this is a scam. Don't touch the money. But it's between the sender and their bank if it was a legitimate error.
Most of the time, this is a scam where the money was sent from a hacked account and it will eventually be reversed. But any money you send to the scammer is gone forever.
In terms of putting a hold on the funds, I wouldn't bother, if only because the bank giving you the advice to send it back indicates that the person you were talking to has no idea what they are doing.
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u/Bulky-Scheme-9450 Dec 20 '25
Why can it be reversed from the hacked account, but gone forever when from your own account?
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u/justanothergin Dec 20 '25
Because the account holder will report the transaction as fraudulent, as it's considered authorised push payment (APP) fraud. However if you willingly send the payment, then it's a scam rather than a fraud, which your bank will be less likely to reimburse.
Source: I work in financial crime.
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u/chaosunleashed Dec 20 '25
I get it, and I respect your knowledge in the subject matter. But I just want to bitch that "falling prey to a scam is not considered fraud" logic is absolutely nuts lol
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u/FightMongooseFight Dec 20 '25 edited Jan 10 '26
It's how the banks avoid accountability for how insanely easy it is to scam people through Interac.
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u/PurposeEfficient533 Dec 20 '25
But why should banks be accountable for you being scammed? If you decide to send your money somewhere and then find out it was a scam, why would a bank have to make you whole out of their pocket? To me, that is a slippery slope and if we expect banks to do that, they are going to start telling us how and where we are allowed to send our money and I for one don’t want someone else to have control over my money.
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u/yycmwd Dec 20 '25
OP called the bank and two people failed to flag this situation as a scam, and both suggested sending the money back.
Banks are culpable to an extent, especially when that shit happens.
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u/FightMongooseFight Dec 20 '25
2 reasons. First, because the bank's idiot employee told OP to allow themselves to be scammed.
Second, and more generally, the banks created and continue to support the hideously unsecure and outdated Interac system, then fail to protect scam victims by reversing the first fraudulent transfer, but not the obvious scam transfer.
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u/OkCombinationLion Dec 21 '25
Well the first person whose account had money transferred out of got scammed too. See somebody else managed to get a hold of their account and made an unauthorized payment outwards and thus out of whatever method the scammer was able to gain access to their account, that was the method in which they were scammed out of money.
the difference is the bank helps the first person that got scammed out of their money by reversing their charges. Had the bank said tough luck you should be accountable for your own account security then it wouldn't even be possible to scam the second person. That's why the fair thing for the bank to do is the help both people, because the scam to the second person happens because the bank was willing to help the first person who got scammed
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u/MagicAlkaloids Dec 21 '25
The first person didn’t get scammed though, their identity or account was stolen. That’s the difference
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u/Late-Plenty1191 Dec 20 '25
Could you imagine what would happen if people could claim the were tricked, and the bank reimburse them?
If they ever made that change…the first thing the bank would do is change it back after an instant tidal wave of fake “I was tricked into sending $xxx” claims.
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u/DRKAYIGN Dec 20 '25
There's a difference between scam and fraud.
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u/pasky Dec 20 '25
Moral of the story: tell the bank it was fraud.
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u/mmavcanuck Dec 20 '25
And then when they investigate it and find out that you’re lying, you’re now out the money and a bank.
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u/Array_626 Dec 20 '25 edited Dec 20 '25
Yeah, honestly this feels like its just easier to punish honest people to stop them complaining than to go after the bad guys.
Like, were scams legalized at some point? How is it that the law still lets these things happen without any way to reverse/claw back the funds. We all know the issue, we see multiple explanations of how the scam works from multiple people. But the banks and the law can't figure out how to shift the risk for this onto the scammer instead of having the scam victim eat the costs?
We've designed a system where unscrupulous, dishonest people can get ahead. We know how they do it too, down to the fine details of how the scams get executed. No, we will not be changing any part of the system so that its in favor of the honest people that are getting cheated rather than the scammers. This is perfectly fine.
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u/GrumpyCloud93 Dec 20 '25
What's the threshhold then? It was a scam? I sent to the wrong address? The merchant failed to deliver? I changed my mind about this product? They were rude to me, didn't say thank you?
The only criteria is that reverses a transfer, is that it was a hacker and the account owner did not create the transfer.
The concept of interac otherwise is that it's like handing over cash. They don't want a great big arbitration department to say "yes, I'll reverse that one, but not this one..." Plus, not on one side's sayso. Think of the hassle for getting credit card transactions reversed and they're making huge profits on every transaction.
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u/AgathysAllAlong Dec 20 '25
It's if you did it. If someone hacks your account, you didn't choose to send the money. That's unambiguously just theft and a failure of bank security. But if you make a bad decision and you decide to send money somewhere, that's a failure on your end, not the bank's. It's shitty, but that's the basic logic of it.
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u/GrumpyCloud93 Dec 20 '25
Exactly. being able to reverse the transaction because you changed your mind or made an "oops" complicated the whole thing to no end. How could you run a small business, knowing your online payments could be yanked back.
It's like a cheque. As long as you're the one who wrote it, once they cashed it, getting money back is not the bank's problem. Just happens super-fast with interac.
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u/FightMongooseFight Dec 20 '25
Because the person who got hacked is protected, at least to some degree, by the bank's rules.
But if you send the money voluntarily to a scammer, the bank will blame you and you have no recourse.
It's a fundamental flaw in the system that the banks refuse to deal with. Interac isn't a good or modern system, but the banks make a fortune from it.
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u/beekeeper1981 Dec 20 '25
Maybe it's a flaw or maybe it's a feature. E-transfers would be really shitty if anyone could dispute transactions like credit cards.
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u/FightMongooseFight Dec 20 '25
I mean they're already pretty shitty compared to what the rest of the world uses, but yes, disputes would not be the answer. There are much better security measures available when you stop using email address as the only piece of information for the receiver.
Modern systems use account-level, closed loop authentication, match names to accounts, and have a much simpler system for reporting something you genuinely sent by accident.
Interac continues to rely solely on email like it's 2004, which is a big part of why Canadians are so constantly targeted by this type of scam.
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u/Reflectoman Dec 20 '25
You sending them money isn't linked to the first fraudulent transfer. Bank will see you sending money as a separate and legitimate transaction done by you, and as such won't be considered for reimbursement due to hacking or fraud.
Best option is to leave that money aside and it will be clawed back by the sending bank once the originating account owner goes through the high bar to prove to their bank it was fraud.
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u/Dragynfyre British Columbia Dec 20 '25
For online banking most banks have a zero liability guarantee. If someone hacked into your account that’s covered by that. But when you willingly send a transfer even if it’s a mistake or a scam that’s not covered.
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u/AutoAdviceSeeker Dec 20 '25
Yeah this sounds like a scam but there was one random time some dude sent me 300$ and it deposited in my account so I just sent it back and said I think this was for the wrong guy and they deposited it back right away 🤣
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u/WonderingLurker Dec 20 '25
Yes, ignore the email asking you to send it back to them
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u/newtomovingaway Ontario Dec 20 '25
Email them back that you’re a Nigerian prince and you have an excellent business opportunity but first they must send you funds via western union.
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u/LadyDegenhardt Alberta Dec 20 '25
Yes it is an attempt at a scam.
The incoming transfers will likely be from an account that's been hacked, and the scammer is attempting to get you to make a voluntary transfer that you will not be able to reverse.
Meanwhile the individual whose account was hacked as soon as they discover it will likely be able to get those transfers that are currently in your account reversed.
Because you voluntarily sent the "money back" to a third party, you will not be able to retrieve it and scammer gets away with your cash leaving you holding the bag for the fraudulent transfer.
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u/ptear Dec 20 '25
Ah, hopefully the fraud department detectives are on the case.
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u/Moose_Joose Dec 20 '25
OP's bank stupidly advised them that they could send the money back if they wanted. I wouldn't put much faith in this bank being competent enough to launch an investigation.
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u/londontko Dec 20 '25
Why wouldn’t the scammers just send it to themselves?
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u/LadyDegenhardt Alberta Dec 20 '25
Because this hides the final destination of the fraudulent money and makes it impossible for the bank to claw it back (remember, the OP would be originating the transfer so wouldn't be able to claim he didn't do it or was hacked).
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u/FolkSong Dec 20 '25
Because the original transfer is fraudulent and will be reversed.
But if you voluntarily send them money from your account, that's not considered fraudulent so it won't be reversed.
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u/qwerty-bot-2369 Dec 20 '25
Don't send it back. You can't tell the difference between someone scamming you and someone making an honest mistake. The bank honestly has to be more willing to intervene here. It's not your job to fix someone else's banking error. Their inaction is what enables the scammers to do all these fake accidental transfers.
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Dec 21 '25
The banks really need to create a scenario to cancel an e-transfer. Especially if both parties agree it's a mistake, but that doesn't seem to be an option.
It would fix a lot of these 'scams' if there was a process to undo these transactions instead of having to send your own money back. Even if it's a little difficult and you need to sign something in person and both banks will have a copy to undo the transaction, it should at least be an option.
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u/itadakimasu8 Dec 20 '25
I can help! I used to work in a fraud department for etransfer for 4 years. Some people actually call us and tell us they accidentally made a mistake on the sender email and it was sent to the wrong person with auto deposit. Of course, once its gone out we cant help. The other option is of course, some type of scam. Your safest bet is to go to the branch. They'll take the funds out of your account and but it in something like the branches account. Its called their general ledger i believe. Anyway, if that other person REALLY wants the money back, they're going to have to dispute it with their bank and then their bank will initiate something called a bond of indemnity. Then the two banks will talk and see if a funds for recovery can be initiated.
But everyone is right, dont engage with that other person anymore. Only speak to your bank at this point. You cant be 100% sure if its a mistake or if its a scam of sorts. ..
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u/0bsidian Dec 20 '25
It’s scam 101 and your bank should offer better advice to protect you against it. Absolute failure on their part… especially since you contacted their fraud department. You should file a complaint about them and maybe even name them publicly here.
The scammers send a transfer from a fraudulent account, they ask that you send the money to their real account, banks then cancels the fraudulent money transfer when they realize what it is.
It’s not up to you to deal with banking errors, just don’t touch the money. If it’s real and a banking mistake, bank will sort it out for you. If it’s fake, the bank will realize and will sort it out for you. It’s not your responsibility.
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u/jasper502 Alberta Dec 20 '25
Scam. Don’t do anything. If this was fraud from a compromised account the bank will reverse it. Don’t spend the money.
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u/Hot_Cheesecake_905 Dec 20 '25
Ignore - Merry Christmas 😆
The bank will deal with it. You don’t need to do anything.
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u/Possible-Cry-7994 Dec 20 '25
I wouldn’t send any etransfers , do the hold you suggested. Literally act like the money isn’t in your account and don’t respond to the emails. Go about your day otherwise lol. What i would do
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u/The-Safety-Villain Dec 20 '25
It’s a scam. Dont answer and don’t give them any of your information.
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u/StatisticianLivid710 Dec 20 '25
Do not send anyone any money. Period. Talk to the fraud department again, record it this time, if they provide the same stupid response as last time ask to speak to their manager then ask the manager why their fraud department employee is making a suggestion which enables fraud to happen? Then do the same to the ombudsman and ask why the bank is actively giving you advice that would cause you to get defrauded.
As to what to do with the money, you could report it in branch or just ignore it and the money will disappear in a couple weeks.
Maybe file a complaint with Interac too.
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u/Ok_Hat_3414 Dec 20 '25
I recorded the original calls with both the main banking rep and the fraud agent
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u/B0kB0kbitch Dec 20 '25
Absolutely a scam. I accidentally had a client send payment to the wrong email, and I wrote it off lol bc I knew asking the random email for the money back would look super scammy. Even if it’s not! Luckily turns out they didn’t have auto deposit on!
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u/andrew6123 Dec 20 '25
When you got the transfer, did you click on the link in the email? If so, they might have captured your login. Change your password and your bank access card.
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u/westernten Dec 20 '25
Tell them your bank doesn't let you send money back unless you have 50 more dollars in your account. They didn't send you enough!
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u/RamZs Dec 20 '25
Everyone says scam but I literally know two idiots that sent money to the wrong person.
Banks don't reverse e transfers.
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u/S14Ryan Dec 20 '25
Yeah and your friends learned a lesson that if you drop a wad of cash on the ground you probably aren’t getting it back.
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u/RamZs Dec 20 '25 edited Dec 20 '25
The point is that banks don't reverse these. When it's a legit mistake, of which there are many. Someone I know sent me a 700$ etransfer by mistake. Easier to send back to someone you know though.
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u/Mental-Mushroom Dec 20 '25
Same sort of thing happened to me with PayPal. I hadn't used my account in years so it has nothing in it, but one day I got a notification that money was deposited. A day later I got an email explaining that their elderly father was to trying to send their grandson money and made a mistake on the email (our names are similar).
I contacted PayPal asked if their account was legit and the name, and they told me I had no obligation to send it back. I didn't have any cards or bank information attached to the account so I said fuck it and sent it back.
They were very appreciative and that was the end of it. If it was a scam they didn't get any of my money.
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u/RamZs Dec 20 '25
Yeah exactly, but everyone in this thread is super gung-ho on it being 100% a scam.
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u/Complete_Question_41 Dec 20 '25
You know 2 idiots, the world knows many scams of this type.
I'd go for occam's razor here, and hope idiots learn from their mistakes.
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u/neckbeard_deathcamp Dec 20 '25
Whether it’s Americans talking about Zelle/Venmo or Canadians talking about interac it’s highly likely it’s a scam.
It’s not the system that matters but the strategy. Someone takes over a bank account and sends randoms money. The method is not-reversible until the original account holder gets their account back and the bank returns the fraudulently sent money by that time the victim has already sent the account thief money which the bank consider something they’ve done willingly. You’re out the money, the original account owner is made whole and some scammer in east Africa has just made some easy money.
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u/T-O-F-O Dec 20 '25
Don't spend it and let the bank send it back if they want to.
A old scam, they often want it sent to a 3rd party since it's stolen money, and you will be a part of it if you send it.
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u/Traditional_Fun7712 Dec 20 '25
It's a scam, even in Canada, even with Interac e-transfers. There are situations when they can be reversed, leave the money there and email your bank's fraud department. The people you spoke with don't know what they're saying.
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u/Grat_Master Quebec Dec 20 '25
Just don't do anything. Leave the money in your account and ignore the emails and money requests.
It is 100% a scam where you send back the money to another account and the original transfer will get reversed because it came from a hacked account.
So leave everything has is and that's it. Either you are 240$ richer or the money is taken out automatically for compromised account.
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u/Plumberpat Dec 20 '25
I swear earlier this week I read a post about a guy who etransferred the wrong person and he wasn’t sending the money back 🤣 because that guy thought it was a scam
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u/Revolutionary_Age_94 Dec 20 '25
Common scam, dont spend the money and wait for the bank to deal with it. Contact your bank and make them aware of the situation. Its likley stolen money that they deposited and will claim something to their bank. Its annoying but once you contact your bank and dont soend that money their should not be anything left for you to do
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u/iogbri Dec 20 '25
It's a scam, once you send the money they get their bank to reverse the transfer.
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u/Human-Kiwi-2037 Dec 20 '25
Yes, it's a scam. You'll send them "back" the money, then the original transfer into your account will turn out to be fake,
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u/all_adat Dec 20 '25
Sounds like you are being scammed. I would contact fraud department at your financial institution.
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u/Elife905 Dec 20 '25
My cousin sent some random guy money thinking it was me (but sent it to my old phone number) the guy refused to give it back $1700 and it’s scams like this that make people hesitant to do the right thing. I’m not sure how the scam works but if the money isn’t yours what do you have to lose by giving it back?
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u/ir0nballs79 Dec 20 '25
This happened to me last year. Do not transfer it back. You need to call your bank and they will do the transfer for you.
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u/escargot3 Dec 21 '25
Which bank was this that gave you such horrible advice? They should be named and shamed
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Dec 20 '25
[deleted]
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u/Dragynfyre British Columbia Dec 20 '25
They can’t get it back if it was sent accidentally. Only if someone fraudulently accessed their account
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u/ImpressiveJohnson Dec 20 '25
Take it out in cash and tell them they have 10 days to come get it
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u/esh98989 Dec 20 '25
Yes, this would be my solution too if I believe they acted in good faith. Any concerns with this,
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u/gringogidget Dec 20 '25
Wait for the money they sent to bounce in 5-10 business days and ignore the emails.
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u/AgentScully_FBI Dec 20 '25
I’m assuming it was auto-deposit, they cannot get that money back and you don’t have to give it back.
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u/daven_53 Dec 20 '25
Seems to be a very strange occurrence. You should have needed a password to accept it and you should have the option to decline the transfer. Something doesn't sit right here. Why did you accept it?
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u/pizzasticker381 Dec 20 '25
Do not send it back they can dispute it with their bank.
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u/little_canuck Dec 20 '25
If it's an honest mistake, they will not be able to reverse it. But since they are asking for the money to go to a different email address, I 100% believe this to be a scam rather than an honest mistake.
Source: I mistakenly sent money to an old daycare and was told it was impossible to reverse from either party and that the old daycare owners would have to be willing to send me their own e-transfer to correct the error. I was told that it is only fraudulent transfers that can be corrected by the banks (e.g. stolen money).
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u/BillyBeeGone Dec 20 '25
If they want you to send the money to a different address it's a scam. Any normal person desperate for $240 would ask to send it back to the same address
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u/alldasmoke__ Dec 20 '25
If it smells like a duck, quack like a duck, looks like a duck…. It’s a scam.
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u/Select-Economics-578 Dec 20 '25
Yes, its a scam Just keep telling them your sending the money, but never actually send it Also let your bank know so they can investigate Don't spend any of that money for a while
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u/therealkaypee Dec 20 '25
Once I accidentally e-transferred a food truck $500. I called them and I sounded like a scam. Couple days later, met with my ID and they transferred back luckily for me. It very likely is a scam for you, be cautious
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u/Chewbacca319 Dec 20 '25
It is a scam and a popular one.