Bank accidentally deposits $50 billion in couple’s account: ‘Did I have a rich uncle?’ | Economy

When American Darren James and his wife checked their bank account last week, they were shocked. The couple noticed that a sum of 50 billion dollars (about 42 billion euros) had suddenly appeared in their account. The American bank Chase Bank is said to have deposited the sum incorrectly, making James and his wife billionaires for four days.




“I was very surprised how that sum had ended up in our account. I wondered if I knew of a rich uncle anywhere who would have left it,” said Darren James.

To his great disappointment, however, it was not an inheritance, but merely a very rare mistake by the bank. Chase Bank withdrew the sum from the couple’s account last Tuesday, making James and his wife millionaires again after four days.

“We’re still trying to figure out exactly what happened, why and how it happened, but we know we’re not the only ones this has happened to. The bank didn’t even call us. We haven’t heard from anyone,” said James.

The American real estate agent said he had no intention of spending the money. “We knew we hadn’t earned the money and so we couldn’t do anything with it,” he said. “Unless it had belonged to a rich uncle,” the man laughs.

“Technical failure”

Chase Bank has already confirmed that it was a mistake, although the bank speaks of a different timing than Darren James. “We had a technical failure a few weeks ago that impacted a limited number of accounts. The issue was resolved a day later and all bank accounts were properly restored,” said Chase Bank spokeswoman Amy Bonitatibus.

Individuals who spend money that has been incorrectly credited to their account may be forced to repay the sum – and often an additional fee. In some cases, such people may even be convicted. In 2019, for example, a Pennsylvania couple risked a penalty for theft after spending most of an incorrectly deposited sum.



source https://pledgetimes.com/bank-accidentally-deposits-50-billion-in-couples-account-did-i-have-a-rich-uncle-economy/