Wrong Send? What to Do If You Transfer Money to the Wrong Person

 (SPOT.ph) Digital payments have become so common nowadays that we barely think twice before sending money... until we send it to the wrong person. Besides hoping to God that the recipient will be kind enough to return it, is there anything you can actually do to get your money back?

The good news: You’re not completely helpless. If someone receives money not meant for them, they may be legally required to return it under the principle of solutio indebiti. This is established in Article 2154 of the Civil Code: "If something is received when there is no right to demand it, and it was unduly delivered through mistake, the obligation to return it arises."

Violators who knowingly refuse to return the money may face a civil case for unjust enrichment, since Philippine law does not allow a person to benefit from money they were never entitled to receive in the first place. Courts may also order returning the amount, plus damages and legal interest in certain cases.

Also read: Could Online Bank Transfer Fees be Permanently Waived Soon? The BSP Is Working On It

Don’t panic just yet if the mistake has already happened. A wrong transfer can feel like money down the drain but lawyer Chel Diokno said the law is on your side.

“Maging maingat sa pagpapadala ng pera pero kung magkamali man, tandaan: kakampi niyo ang batas,” Diokno said.

Here are the steps you can take if this happens to you.

Don’t assume they’ll immediately run off with it—try to ask for the money back. You may still get lucky and reach someone kind enough to reverse the mistake.

If they don’t respond, refuse to return the money, or even block you for it, take a deep breath and proceed to the next step.

Make sure to keep your transaction reference number, date, amount, recipient details, and screenshots. If you forgot to take a screenshot right after sending, check your app’s activity or transaction history.

If the e-wallet or bank isn’t any help, don’t just keep it at that. Under Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Circular No. 649, Series of 2009, e-wallets and banks are required to act on disputes such as these.

“Huwag tanggapin kung sinabi wala sila magagawa dahil ang mga e-wallet at bangko ay under ng BSP. May obligasyon silang aksyunan ang ganitong reklamo,” Diokno said.

You can escalate the concern by copying the BSP at consumeraffairs@bsp.gov.ph in your email to the e-wallet or bank. You can also talk to BSP’s webchat bot, BOB, through the official website, Facebook page, or BSP mobile app. Numerous users have reported a fast response from these electronic money issuers upon notifying BSP of the incident.

Don’t let the complaint end with your e-wallet provider or bank. File a formal complaint anyway so the incident is properly documented with cybercrime authorities. You may report it to the following channels:

PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group
(02) 8414-1560 or 0998-598-8116
messagecenter.acg@pnp.gov.ph

Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center
1326 or 0991-481-4225
report@cicc.gov.ph

Hopefully, it does not have to reach this point. Good luck—and may your screenshots, reference number, and formal complaint be enough to remind the recipient that money sent by mistake is not theirs to keep.

Also read: Banks Can Now Freeze Suspicious Money Transfers Under New BSP Rule